Tom,

I have honey maple raised panel cabinets in my southern exposure kitchen, white appliances and honey colored wood floors. My condo is a vintage rehab.
I want to change my formica countertops to granite but am confused on what color to choose. I love a totally urban look, but that is not what I have.
So I am trying to make this work in an updated contemporary way. Someone recommended blue ice, but I afraid this looks dated. Will you please let me know what are your top choices?

Thank you very much,
Jeannie

Hello Jeannie,

Yes, you have a problem going urban because of those raised panels. Even though you have the honey colored cabinets and floors, you could get to the urban feel if you changed those cabinets to flat panels with square steel knobs. Then you good bring it together with a color like Polychome.

However, sticking with the raised panels and still crossing over to semi-contemporary, there are two colors that work with the maple honey. Those are Café Bahia and Café Imperial granite. The edge detail would have to be a half-round and the back splash should be a wide or light cream tile.
A half-round detail is not really urban, but those raised panels have to be complimented a little.

Keep in mind that you need to stay away from gray. You could go with a red
like Red Dragon granite. This is gutsy buy it is totally a vintage look on the edge of contemporary. Look at a swatch on www.GraniteStock.com but definitely get a nice chunk of it and bring it home.

With Red Dragon you could run up the splash with the same granite slab and it would be bold and intelligently stunning. I would do it.

If the urban appeal makes you want to be less stunning, then you need to go toward the browns as I mentioned above.

There are a ton of other colors that go with maple honey but I can see that your desire is to really not be traditional and track-home style. Take a look at Café Imperial, Café Bahia and Red Dragon. One will move you.

Best wishes and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!

Needing advice on granite/color. Our cabinets are shaker style cherry, med-dark stain. The floors are Vida Grand: Here’s what they look like this or, this.
The room is great room concept. fairly large with good size kitchen
island.

Stainless steel appliances. Room faces North with lots of trees and
lake view (lots of windows) and one window with morning east sun. But,
we’re in Seattle so grey skies much of year. 2 of the granite choices
we like are Bianco Antico (for a lighter look) and Blue Eyes (darker.)
Any thoughts on either of these as well as any other suggestions?

Also, any opinions for back splash welcome. Thanks for your help and
your dedication to World Vision!

Emily

Update: Tom, We are now considering Verde Butterfly and would love your input on that as well as backsplash suggestions. Thanks, Emily

Hello Emily,

There are two versions of Blue Eyes Granite. One is from Canada and is more blue/gray with strong opalescent accents of blue, and the other is Brown/granite with the same blue accents.
The Canadian version is much prettier and even though it is quite expensive, it is worth it.

There are several quality levels ranging from darker blue/gray to almost a silver/ gray. Darker Blue Eyes granite would be better for a kitchen with the view of trees and lake. This color also works very will with stainless and I recommend running the same granite all the way up the splash to below the upper cabinets.

You also mentioned verde butterfly which is much less expensive and also very common. It is a nice deep green and the accents that look like butterfly wings are quite beautiful. If you cabinets are medium oak to dark, then this would look great. If the cabinets are light, forget it because it will make you kitchen look cheap. Dark greens with light cabinets just are pleasant to the eyes.

If you feel you are going toward the Verde Butterfly direction, you should also take a look at Verde Ubatuba and Verde Peacock. These are all low costs green granite from Brazil but have different characteristics. They work well with stainless but Verde Ubatuba works the best. With these dark greens, I recommend a tile splash in a light creamy natural limestone or travertine. Take a look at the kitchen galleries on www.GraniteStock.com and www.HomeGranite.com for some ideas about this.

I’d also like to recommend you look at Seafoam Green granite if your budget can handle it. It always seems to work well when water is near by!

I wish you the best with your project and thank you for support the Rock Blog kids!

Tom,

We are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen. We are adding in knotty alder cabinets with a natural finish (with knobs to match all the stainless steel appliances). There will be an array of upper and lower cabinets with a peninsula (cooktop & telescopic downdraft). We are installing oak hardwood floors (still uncertain of the stain color). Currently the walls are painted a soft yellow. We have medium natural light in a 12×12 size kitchen which is adjacent to the dining room.

So….what type/color of granite should I go with? I was thinking the ubatuba, brazilian ubatuba or impala black.

Also – any suggestions on tile backsplash?

Lastly – what would the ideal stain color be on my hardwood floors? Does it matter?

Thanks,
Joe

Hello Joe,

Nothing looks better with Knotty Alder in a natural finish than the color, sage green. I would definitely recommend change the wall paint to true sage green or if you feel that it is too dark, cut it down a bit with a white base.

Moving down to the floor, darken it up to a dark oak stain or even close to walnut if you can handle that dark of a floor. The goal should be to make the oak veining only remotely noticeable so that it does not complete with
the Knotty Alder.

There are many wrong green granite colors that would completely blow this setting. True greens don’t compliment sage green and dark black/green (like
Ubatuba) is too contemporary and sterile for Alder. I want to recommend Silver Sea Green Granite. You can see a swatch of it on www.GraniteStock.com. This really is the best choice, I am sure. It is also an extremely dense granite and low maintenance.

Other good options would be a light version of Tunas Green or Abyss Green.
An expensive but stunning option would be Seafoam Green. Still, for your kitchen I really do like the Silver Sea Green best because of the tight matrix, the subtle black flecks and the slightly gray tone that will go well with the stainless.

For the backsplash, I recommend a light honed travertine time in a 6×6 format, set square with the countertop. Don’t put it at a diagonal or you will blow the whole kitchen theme.

This kitchen design will accent the cabinets while collectively surrounding
them in a confidently classy manner.

My best wishes and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog kids!

Hey Tom, that’s a great thing you’re doing for world vision, it’s also my charity of choice.

Tom I’m installing 12″ by 12″ by 3/8 travertine on my shower and bathroom floor. I’d like to have the thinnest grout line possible which I think you stated is 1/8″. When would I use sanded or unsanded grout for this application? On my shower walls I’m installing the same size tiles but I’m not sure wether they’re going to be the honed travertine as on my floor or polished marble but my same question applies about which grout to use on the walls with 1/8″ spacing.

- Roman

Hello Roman,

Grout joints that are larger than 1/8″ should be filled with sanded grout. That being said, many professionals would say that 1/8″ joint should be receive sanded grout because the grout will want to sag or slump when the joint is much wider than the cement compound. Likewise, joints that are tighter than 1/8″ should be grout with non-sanded grout because the sand is just to bulky to allow enough cement coverage around the sand particles and still bond with the edge of the tile.

That being said, I am glad that you mentioned that might put polished tiles on the floor. It is your home and you can do want you want and contrary to what I said above, I would do the following in my own home.

Install sanded grout in the 1/8″ joints for honed wall tile. For hone floor tile, do the same for consistency. However, if the floor tile is polished, sanded grout really does not look so good so you can use non-sanded grout and do the following.

For 1/8″ grout joint on polished floor tile, you can use non-sanded grout but you need to be concerned with sagging. Joint larger than 1/8″ you would also need to be concerned with cracking. To combat both of these, you need to push the grout deep in the joint with a standard grout float. This will take some extra work and be a little slower. Let it dry a little more than normal before using a damp grout float to scrape and wipe the excess grout off. When doing the final circular grout clean, do not use to much water – just a damp sponge. Too much water will cause the grout to sag into the joint. Lastly, when you are all done (after about 2 hours) you can re-grout any areas that sagged (if any).

This really is not as complicated as I might have described it to be and it is definitely worth it for polished floor tiles.

Best wishes and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids!

Tom,

The kitchen in our new home is 13 x 21′ with a long narrow center island,

counters on three perimeter walls, plus a small adjoining breakfast nook

with southern windows — so the light is pretty good.

Our kitchen is also open into the living room and dining room with simple

archway openings.

Cabinets are Armstrong Mocha Maple with arch doors. Appliances are mainly

stainless plus a black dishwasher. Flooring is 20 x 20″ very light warm

beige ceramic tile. Walls are light beige in kitchen and living room and

dining room is sage green. We have natural stain oak trim for baseboard and

windows.

I am considering Lady’s Dream for countertops with a stainless sink. Could

you offer thoughts on this or other stone suggestions? I don’t want anything

that’s dark since we already have walls of dark cabinets. Thanks for your

advice, and thanks for thinking of a creative way to support World Vision!

Moissy

Hello Moissy,

I can picture your color pallet well and thank you for the great description. First let me say, that if I owned the quarry that produced Lady Dream, I think I would close it down. There is one version of it with salmon vein that looks rather nice in a bathroom, but other than that, I really dislike the pink/grey colors in this granite. I just can’t think of one combination in which I could recommend it be a compliment. Never go pink in the kitchen – never.

I hope my comment above did not completely disrupt your direction and I seriously what to make two other suggestions that will go better and still give you some of the better coloring of Lady Dream, but with more warm and beautiful tones. Those two granite color choices are Amber Fantasy and Crema Bordeaux. The latter will look darker and more sophisticated but the light cream floors will allow you to go pretty dark without closing in the room. The Amber Fantasy will be brighter and more playful. I love both of these choices with the design and pallet you described.

The arched panel cabinets are perfect and I would recommend an Ogee Bullnose edge detail as shown on www.HomeGranite.com.

Stainless is not a must here. You could match the floor or appliances with a crème or white sink.

Thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s kids and my very best to you!

Dear Tom,

Your website is very helpful, Thank you for it. We also live in southern California, so I hope that you can help me pick out something and I will be able to find it locally. We are just beginning our kitchen remodel of our 40 year old home. I need help in picking out a flooring and also granite to go with our cabinets.

A little about the space. As you walk into our home the living room is on your right, if you continue to walk straight through from the entry the dining/kitchen space is next and is approx a 15.5′ x 24′ space. The kitchen is “U” shaped and we will have a large center island approx. 51″ x 80″. We will have all stainless appliances. There is a window that looks out into the backyard above the sink as well as a sliding door that goes out to the backyard these both face east. We want all granite countertops. We will also have a granite buffet area (sits on base cabinets) opposite the window wall that is approx 6′ long. This extends into that dining part of the room. So, the cabinets we have chosen are Kitchenmaid maple with the Nutmeg Glaze, We are thinking of using a Versailles pattern travertine in either a cappuccino or a walnut color for the flooring that will also include the entry way. This has a variation of cream and warm brown shades in it but it is not to light as to show all the dirt. I would prefer wood floors but I don’t think it practical with a dog, 2 cats, 2 teenagers and a pool in the backyard. What do you think of this choice?

As far as the granite goes, we have looked at Santa Barbara and Giallo Humatia. I saw a Lapidus in a magazine on some similiar cabinets, but it was hard to really see it. Not sure if it would work.I do not like any granite with a peach, pink, rust tone to it and nothing too dark. I think I want something with a warm brown, cinnamon or nutmeg spot in it. Something warm. I just want to make sure the flooring, the cabinets and the granite all go together. I like the Santa Cecilia and have it in my bathroom but read your “track home” thoughts on it in other posts. I haven’t decided on wall colors yet.

I definitely appreciate any help you can give me. Sorry this is so long.

Kim ( Thousand Oaks, Ca)

Hello Kim,

I really like the Versailles patterned tile flooring in a kitchen as long as it is in the dark tones as you mentioned. This makes for a warmer and lower maintenance floor because the grout joint will be a little darker and not show every speck of dust and dirt. Be sure to seal it well and get a good quality travertine selection without too much pitting.

The cabinet color and glaze is also right on target with a well thought out updated décor that will be timeless. Finally, stainless is a must as you have mentioned.

Certainly any granite color that is peachy or yellow would ruin the room. The perfect granite color to me for this combination would be Terra Brazilis or something very similar. There are a ton of new colors coming on the market so you need to take a walk down the isles of some of the large suppliers in Southern California. I would suggest going to the Bedrosian Tile slab yard in Orange (on Pacific) and see their huge selection. You can ask for manager Dan Drew and just tell him that Tom Cordova said to give you a tour. Their prices are reasonable and the selection is gigantic. If you need quality fabricator/installer, let me know.

The Santa Cecelia color is certainly one of the lower cost granite and it is right for some kitchens that really need a certain specific color and temperature. I would not recommend it for a kitchen with a big island and travertine Versailles pattern floors — too cheap looking. You need to look at the semi exotic level, like Terra Brazilis and others.

Other colors that would go well are Dark Juperana Persa or one with a little more deep green like Esmeralda Quartzite (this would look amazing).

Regarding the edge detail, consider a Roman Ogee edge detail like the one shown on www.HomeGranite.com.

Thank you for your support and anyway I can help out a So Cal neighbor, let me know.

We are trying to decide on granite colour for a
large kitchen with espresso cabinets (quite dark brown but not as black as we had feared) . Kitchen is quite large and u-shaped with an 8 foot island in middle and a buffet / hutch at other end. Southern exposure. Granite will be used on all. Appliances are stainless. Fixtures and faucets and bar stools are brushed nickel (stools have dark brown leather also). Floor is cream ceramic . Backsplah will probably be the same tile but smaller.
Kitchen has 2 walk outs so quite bright. Kitchen is open to hall (wall was removed) which exposes dark cherry floors. Have been considering Juperana Golden Beach, Matisse, or possibly Antique Brown. Help!!

Beth

Hi Beth,

Without a doubt the Giallo Matisse is a perfect choice. The
color collection in this granite works perfectly with espresso cabinets and a large island. The leather topped chairs are a big bonus to accent and pull it all together.

There are couple considerations. First, I hope you are not set on the tile back splash. You could go that direction but I think you would greatly diminish the classy richness of the kitchen as well as create a ’stripe’
feeling that you would eventually regret. If your kitchen was less spacious, I might say that it would work but your kitchen really can handle the same granite slab on the splash all the way up to the cabinets. The Giallo Matisse has a nice wide veining movement that allows for a beautiful flow from the countertop up the wall. When properly cut and placed, it looks like art in a natural way. (There is a good swatch on www.GraniteStock.com that shows the right color range that you should look for.)

Secondly, you need to carefully choose the slabs. Try to stay on the medium to light side because the dark slabs can give off a dirty feeling. Still, pulling in some black is essential; just keep it to the accent level.

One comment about Golden Beach, I do love this stone; however, not with dark espresso cabinets. The two temperatures are too contrasting and that granite should stay closer to the nutmeg or even cherry glaze cabinetry.

Antique Brown is beautiful granite. However, it is quite dull and commercial in a large kitchen.

I hoped that I have helped. Thank you for supporting the World Vision kids.

Dear Tom,

We are in the process of updating our kitchen. The kitchen is large and

receives a good amount of natural light. We have chosen a maple cabinet

with a cordovan stain (is a bit reddish) the door is a raised panel and full

overlay. Our appliances are stainless (top of stove is black) and the sink

will be an under mount stainless. The kitchen will include under cabinet

lighting and recessed cans over the peninsula and throughout the room. The

problem is the granite color – I tend to prefer the darker colors such as

Tan Brown, Cranberry Brown and Indian Mahogany while my husband prefers the

lighter colors such as Vyara Gold and Rosewood. Neither one of us is

totally opposed to the others choices. Our style tends to lean toward

traditional with some modern updates. We have not picked out flooring or

hardware for cabinets yet but are planning on 16″ tile installed on the

diagonal for the flooring. The other question I have is about edges – we

like the look of the ogee!

Ogee or double ogee edge but are concerned that this may chip easier than

some of the simpler edges. We have an active household with three children

and spend A LOT of time in the kitchen.

Thanks for your help, this site is great!

Susan

Hi Susan,

I understand your kitchen well and I see the maple wood with the cordovan stain often. There is no doubt that anything pink or even light rosy will be a violation of beauty. The only reddish tone that will work must be dark and right on target with the cabinet stain. There are three ways to go.

First, the light version with the right color inclusion. The two colors here are Bianco Romano or White Springs. Both are very light but have subtle movement and compliment the stain perfectly. Even a black cooktop and stainless fixtures will work here.

Second, the dark version is the right selection of Tan Brown Granite, the darker the better but the reddish inclusions really need to be very close to the color of the cabinet stain. These inclusions are not always the same color so different slabs will look different. In addition, you mentioned Indian Mahogany, but that color is not as rich as Dakota Mahogany. Take a look at Dakota Mahogany which is one of my favorites for this kitchen pallet combination.

Lastly, blackish granites with no red in them all look spectacular with cordovan stain cabinets. However, Black Absolute Granite is just too difficult to keep up with kids around because it always shows dust and it doesn’t show ants!! So, take a look at Café Imperial as a possible darker more homogeneous granite option.

Don’t be scared of dark! Darker colors are also more kid friendly and easier on the eyes to do homework on. Make the edge detail a Roman Ogee edge (as show on the front page of www.HomeGranite.com). This is a perfect for the raised panel cabinet design.

Best wishes and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids.

I am installing travertine in a Versailles pattern in kitchen and butler’s pantry. Due to size of grout lines used a sanded grout, but am not happy with the way it filled holes and pits. It looks incomplete and scarred. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Rebecca

Hello Rebecca,

That is a common concern from homeowners. I have heard this a few times before. The problem will actually look worse in time if you don’t seal the stone properly because the grout will get much darker and look dirty.

I recommend looking in to a matte finish enhancer/sealer. Let me fist say that you need to do some samples first before proceeding with a full application on your floor. However, I do believe you will be happy with the finish. I suggest that you get it professionally sealed and have a matte glaze enhancer put on the surface. This should not look any different on the stone but it will tone down the grout to the level that you are looking for. It will smooth out the gritty sandy look.

I believe the www.MiracleSealants.com has a good product that you can use or check with your local tile store for a reference.

My very best wishes and let me know if I can help further.

Hi Tom,

Our kitchen has light oak cabinets (with a ’sorta’ orange undertone). We recently laid porcelain tile in varying shades, ranging from very red to brown (that we love). We want to go for an “earthy” feel (like a cabin in the Rockies). We have painted the walls Benjamin Moore Lilly Pad (light green) and have stainless steel appliances, but I’m really stumped on the granite color. I thought I wanted to go with one in the brown family, but with the floors so varying, I’m thinking of staying in the cream/white family (we currently have white Formica) or something in the green family to complement the red in the floor. Please help!

Kiera

Hi Kiera,

I love what you are trying to accomplish with the natural cabin look and you could definitely blow the whole décor by choosing the wrong granite color.

The toughest part about what you have to work with is the orange tint on the oak cabinets. My guess is that the cabinets are somewhat older as it common for medium glaze on oak cabinets to get a little more orange in time. After you are all done with you kitchen, you might decide to tune up the cabinets with a appropriate rejuvenating cleaner that will reduce the orange tint.

Regarding the granite, I want to make a few good suggestions. At the top of the list is Caramelo Granite. This is a granite color that you will have to see in person to appreciate the subtle greenish cast mixed in with the blacks, beiges and grays. I completed a kitchen design near a lake in a cabin filled residential area last year with a very similar pallet to yours. The Caramelo granite was perfect. It also properly introduces natural ‘rock’ colors into the natural setting.

Secondly, Green Marinace or RainForest Green would clearly compliment the décor and bring the outdoors in to your home. Green Marinace is one that you will love or hate. It will work well with all the colors in your kitchen for sure, but some folks think it is a little busy. It might be a little busy with your floor, so that is why it is my second choice for you.

Lastly, Rain Forest Green would be an exotic (yet still natural choice).
[You can see a kitchen done in this granite color on the Granite Kitchen Gallery page of www.HomeGranite.com.] This granite color will present a darker and richer kitchen while still connecting with the floor colors perfectly. The only draw back with this stone is that it is not truly a granite. Granite has at least 65% quartz, which makes it harder than a knife. Rain Forest Green is a natural stone from India but the composition is more of a mix of Orthoclase and softer minerals. You can still use it but you must use a cutting board and the granite should be properly sealed at least once a year with a high quality sealer. Personally, I feel this is very small maintenance to consider if you love the stone. Because of the maintenance and the more exotic look, it is my third best choice for you. In addition, if you choose Rainforest Green, also look at its counterpart, Rainforest Brown. You might like that even better.

Follow my Home Owner’s Checklist on the blog when looking at slabs.

My very best wishes to you and thank you for supporting the Rock Blog’s World Vision kids!