Hi Tom,

My wife and I are looking to redo our master bathroom. The room has a bathtub and separate shower enclosure. We will also be replacing the existing ugly white Corian countertop with granite, as well as the cabinets and flooring. The granite has been tentatively narrowed to 3 choices; Rosso Fiorentino, Verde Fire and Crema Bordeaux.

The Rosso is our first choice because it is so striking and has the deep red we are looking for but we are at a loss as to what coloring to choose around it. Should we choose a dark cherry wood to blend with the deep tones, or a contrasting light wood? Originally we wanted flooring with more warm tones, but this may not go with the Rosso. Perhaps we should choose an easier granite to decorate around.

As for the shower enclosure and tub surround we have looked at natural stones but are concerned with upkeep, porcelain would seem a viable alternate. Any suggestions concerning color and material would be appreciated. A sales associate at one of the tile wholesalers recommended Seagrass limestone as a match but my internet searching would seem to indicate that is a poor choice for a shower.

- Rick

Hello Rick

Rosso Fiorentino is a beautiful stone and I highly recommend it. It will require a good sealer application about once a year to keep soap scum from dulling the finish. I would suggest a dark cherry or even mahogany stain for the base. Definitely don’t go with light wood or else you will turn your turn your tub into a cherry lifesaver candy. The contrast is just too much for elegance.

If you go with a dark wood, you have choices with the floor and shower wall tile. I would definitely do the same color tile for both the floor and the walls in a matt or honed finish. You can go as light as Beaumaniere limestone, or as dark as Noce Travertine. I like the Beaumaniere limestone best for this pallet. I would use a large 12″x24″ running bond module for the floors and walls. Try to find 24″x24″ tiles and cut them in half. If the room is small, 9″x18″ will do.

If you really want to reduce your maintenance then porcelain tile is the way to go. Finally there is some incredible stone simulated porcelain in the marketplace to choose from. You need to look hard and find large tiles in the colors that match the stone colors I mentioned above.

The stone combination I mentioned will make the room look like a million bucks. You need to go all the way with it and match the countertops in the same tub deck stone or limestone. Let me know what you decide and I would love to see a photo of this completed remodel.

Best wishes!

Hi Tom

We are just starting to go the granite route for our kitchen countertops. I’m considering a granite in the dark brown to red family. The granite company we will most likely go with recommended a 2-3 inch backsplash with the rest of the backsplash going up to the cabinets in some form of stone; I think it was silestone. Do you think that would like nice?

Anyway, my appliances are white and cabinets are white. What do you recommend for my sink? I was thinking of a granite composite sink in white or do you think I should do a color? I am not thrilled about a stainless so I’d rather not go that route. And by the way, my floor is white tile.

Also what are your thoughts about a granite composite sink? Good idea?

- Maricia

Hello Maricia,

One of the hardest colors to work with is White for two reasons. Whites do not match other whites, and whites go with everything else (a lot of choices!). You have white tile floors and white cabinets. This is OK because these are two separate elements in the kitchen. However, you need some color in the kitchen as well as pull the eye away from the floor/cabinet transition.

Even though you will bring color into your kitchen with the granite, you still need to go with a white sink. A stainless sink will look really out of place and too sterile with the white floor and cabinets. Go with white glazed cast iron for a clean look. I know what you mean about the granite composite sinks but unless it is black, smoke or bronze, I think the granite composite just looks more like something you would find in a Laundromat.

For the granite countertop, you mentioned dark brown or red. I think that is very interesting because what goes very well with white is reddish brown. Red is too hot on its own and brown is to cold with white. Together they are a perfect compliment to whites. My three favorites for you in order are Juparana Ipe, Dakota Mahogany or Tan Brown. These have the right color temperature and are very beautiful.

Regarding your backsplash, in your case I feel you should definitely go with full height granite splashes. You need the more color in your kitchen and the horizontal surface just is not enough.

My very best wishes to you and let me know what you decide!