Earthy but Elegant
Hi Tom,
We’re in need of some granite suggestions! Kitchen is L-shaped, approximately 16 x 12 and totally open to breakfast nook/banquette with huge windows and a living area with walls of sliding glass doors.
Perimeter cabinets will be maple painted antique white with brown accent finish. Raised panel on uppers, recessed panel on lowers.
Island (7′ x 5′) is knotty alder raised panel with nutmeg finish and has a white farmhouse sink.
The only appliances not covered by panels are the stainless double ovens & microwave and the black cooktop on the perimeter.
Floor is a creamy beige stone look porcelain tile 20″ x 20″. Colors in the living room lean toward warm/neutral with accents of dark green and eggplant.
Trying to come up with a granite that we can use on both the perimeter and the island and serve as a good focal point, but not having much luck.
I love crema bordeaux and granite with lots of movement but am not sure that would work in this situation.
Any advice/suggestions very much appreciated!
Thanks, Sue
PS Love your World Vision donation idea! We also have 2 children we’ve been helping.
Hello Sue,
This is a challenging one. The raised upper white cabinets with the lower recessed panels do work together sometimes but I can’t say that I have ever seen a knotted alder island with that traditional white look. The stainless and black appliances also add complexity to the whole kitchen presentation. My first thought is to suggest that you paint that island black or nutmeg, but I am going to assume that is out of the question.
So, you really need bridge granite color that ties this all together. You need earthy but elegant. You need color but a soft primary tone.
You mentioned Crema Bordeaux but it is far too colorful and strong. I would strongly recommend a color like classic Bordeaux in its natural classic deep red tones. This would be perfect. It has the traditional formality but also the natural earthy and sunset tones that would tie in the perimeter with the island. It also goes very well with stainless and black.
Another ‘different’ color would be Juparana Bronze. It has the right mix of primary colors in the stronger but still earthy variety. This granite color will go well with all your components, including the knotted alder.
Lastly, you need to only choose one granite color and not mix it up between the countertops and the island. You’ve really got enough going on in this room.
You do have options for the backsplash but don’t introduce another color. You could go with the same granite or even a cream or white tile, just stay in the tone or half tones of the granite and you will be fine.
I wish you the best and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!
