Comments on: Ask A Question

By: connie

connie — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:34:17 +0000

i have earily american oak kitchen cabinets nad i have a back splash of cream color tile behind sink about 12 inch high and has the decorated tiles of basket with bread in the counter . And all black appliance s and i want to remove the counters and put granite in and the counter is is a panicela kichen with and island in center and cross the room from the sink is a desk and there s the refreg and beside that a cabinet with counter on where microwave sits ON the one side of the counteris the family room with wall fire place made on beige and brown stone . On the other side of the u counter is a kitchen nock . you can see from family room all the way to nock( eat in kichen ). i don know what colors to go with since my appliance are black ?

By: Carol Klamert

Carol Klamert — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:20:15 +0000

Hi Tom,

We are considering 2cm black galaxy granite for our fireplace surround and hearth. Our hearth is 20″ wide by 84″ long. Is 2cm black galaxy thick enough for the hearth?

Thank you,

Carol

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:03:36 +0000

Myoung3235@aol.com
Hi Tom,
We are building a new shingle style home. Tha cabinets are inset shaker style ivory white and the island is a painted rubbed black. What granite would you suggest and hardware?

Thanks so much!

Mary

By: Nadine McConkey

Nadine McConkey — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:04:39 +0000

Hello,
I am hoping that you can help us, we are having a home built in Alabama but currently live out of state and only have till Jan 15th to pick out granite for kitchen, island & bathrooms. The color schemes have been picked out, my husband loves uniformity & beige (I don’t) the only color in the kitchen is the backsplash, which I got to pick out. We have kids & need granite that is dense, won’t absorb stains & doesn’t show fingerprints but will tie the crème cabinets & dark island together. I was thinking about having the granite on the island different than the rest of the kitchen, but will coordinate. The granite is to be the focal point of the kitchen.

•Kitchen 13×13 U shaped – w/very little natural light but opens up to great room with a wall of windows.
•Apron Farmhouse style sink – either white fireclay or brushed stainless steel.
•Faucets (brushed nickel or brushed stainless steel) but with oil rubbed bronze knobs
•Cabinets – Caldwell style by Diamond w/wall cabinets in either Amaretto Crème (lighter) or Toasted Almond (buttery) & island in Chocolate.
•Floors – dark hardwood w/wide hand scraped planks (floors closely match dark cabinet color)
•Appliances stainless steel
•Tile backsplash – Italian floral white cream with yellow, blue and green, but don’t really want to this to determine granite color.

Bathrooms can be a bit “adventurous”. Floors will be a Noce colored travertine 12” tile with oil rubbed bronze faucets/fixtures and under mounted porcelain sinks.
•Master bathroom has a clawfoot tub with dark cabinets
•iAll other bathrooms with Amaretto Crème or Toasted Almond cabinets

Also what thickness and edging should we have put on the granite. I know that you recommend different edge finishes depending on the type of granite. Any advice or suggestions would be great. I am overwhelmed by all the choices and grades.

Thank you, Nadine McConkey

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:39:47 +0000

Hi there! We recently moved into home that requires a kitchen update. The cabinets are original (1960’s) solid wood and painted alabaster. We are installing hardwod floors — gunsmoke is the color. It is a medium brown with golden hues. I want a warm kitchen. We use soft lighting and there is not much natural light in the room. I want to do brushed copper for the hardware and fixtures and perhaps an “antique” glaze on the cabinets. The appliances are black, but will be updated to ss shortly. I was thinking of a neutral for the countertops. I envision the walls a rich tan with more pink than yellow or green. do you have a good recommendation?? what should I definately stay away from to avoid the “cold” feeling and achieve the warmth?
Thanks so much!!!

By: Becky

Becky — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:59:52 +0000

We have chosen Siena Bordeaux granite for our L shaped kitchen. Because of the shape of the kitchen you see only one part of the L at a time, and very little of the other part until you are in the kitchen and turn that way. The man that did our template said that the grain / pattern for both pieces needed to go the same direction. That seems counter-intuitive to my sense of flow, direction, and style. It means the bottom of the L would have very short pieces the width of the countertop.
Can we do both long ways with the long pattern visible?
Becky Gunn

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REPLY BELOW:
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Hi Becky,

It is always best for all veining to go the same direction. However, doing what you want is ok but the seam in the corner should be angle cut (not square cut) so that the veining connects from piece to piece. This is commonly done when homeowners want to do what you are saying.

Tom

By: May

May — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:30:18 +0000

Hello Tom!

I’ve recently purchased a new house and I’ve remodeled the entire kitchen. There are maple cabinets with a light brown tiled floor. The tiles’ pattern has small squares spread throughout, which appear to be a Black Galaxy color. I was wondering whether I should purchase Black Galaxy granite countertops to match or would you suggest a lighter color, such as Tan Brown? I don’t want to make my kitchen too dark.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

By: Shantella Jackson

Shantella Jackson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:51:22 +0000

Hello-

I would like your opinion. My cabinets are cherry wood glazed and my appliances are stainless steel. I fell in love with “blue pearl granite” and would like to incorporate this into my kitchen as the countertop ( I also saw a backsplash with the blue pearl, black, dark gray, light gray and clear glass). I am thinking a dark gray porcelain/ceramic floor or even a color called Asian Black (DalTile). However, I was also thinking of placing a piece of stainless steel behind the stove (only) for easy cleanup. What are your thoughts?

By: Leo

Leo — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:37:23 +0000

Hi Tom

Could you assist my wife and I on our granite choice? It is new construction and the kitchen cabinet area is L-shaped about 15′ x 10′ feet with an 88″ island in the middle. There is a breakfast nook off to the side of the kitchen (8′ x 12′) with several windows providing good natural light. The kitchen is open to the family room with the whole space being about 39′ end to end.

The perimeter cabinets are cherry with a darker red stain, described as “traditional cherry” by the cabinet maker. The island will be painted black, with a little paint rubbed off on the edges. The appliances are stainless. The floor with be red oak in natural.

For granite, we originally were thinking of Verde Peacock but are now concerned it might convey a look that’s too dark or heavy for us. It’s probably fine with the cherry but might be too dark with the black island.

We’re now wondering if we should go with a lighter granite throughout. We have a sample of Ouro Brazil that really pulls the warmth from the floor and contains black and a little bit of dark red.

Another thought would be to use a dark, somewhat monochromatic granite for the perimeter and a lighter granite on the island. However, using two granites and two cabinet finishes can be tricky and we’d really have to pull everything together somehow perhaps with the backsplash and/or paint on the walls.

Any advice you have would be great. We made a donation to your very worthwhile charity. Thank you!!

By: Carol Klamert

Carol Klamert — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:49:26 +0000

Hi Tom,
We are building a wood burning/gas corner fireplace with the TV mounted above. Around the fire box will be granite or granite tile. Around the granite will be a beautiful oak mantel which comes down around the granite. We will be installing a solid granite hearth. We have neutral colors and dark brown funiture. We are torn between the Black Galaxy which we love or the Emerald Pearl granite. We really like the dark black in the Galaxy because it sets off the fire box and the TV. What color would you choose?

Thank you,

Carol