Crap... the new kitchen counter is too grey

[janieblack]

But c'est la vie. It's in now. I think I can sort it with the backsplash...

[patrik]

Pictures?

[janieblack]

But I think this mosiac tile will tie all the colours in together....



Fingers crossed... I just ordered it.

[patrik]

Looks good. Im sure the tiles will look nice

[flatfoot]

I think they're lovely, the counter and the tile.

[Bluedoglover]

Love the counter and the little tiles. Not too grey at all.

[janieblack]

Well, it looks more grey (and the floor looks more dark brown) in the full sun but it'll be ok I think. Now, after dark, it looks amazing!! Still, I should have gone a shade or two more black or gone a more brown-black.

The sample tiles give me hope, though. I think it'll all work quite nicely once the backsplash is done. Roll on APRIL (that's when the tiles will arrive. Fark. Oh well, I can't tile 'til the new double glazed windows go in so it'll all work out I guess).

I wish the plumber could come tomorrow and fit the sink and the gas cooktop. I am so tired of "camping" in the flat (and can I say... microwave food is crap). But he sounds busy until next week. Patrikkk????

[patrik]

Im at physio tomorrow, but maybe i can send my apprentice.


Tell your plumber that you want " arco" mini-isolating valves installed for the dishwasher, washing machine and flickmixer. Most plumbers use a cheaper kind that begin leaking after they have been turned on and off a few times. The arco type will save you money in the long run. They retail for about $20 (trade about $8)

[RandomThoughts]

Looks like the tiles you picked will pull it together and people will think you planned it that way...

At our cottage kitchen (not the one I showed awhile back), I had picked a countertop with more green tones and picked a paint color that is sort of golden ...but after I painted, I was told I couldn't get my countertop. We'd ruled out granite due to the budget, but we went back to check just in case there was something we could afford... Turns out the granite place was having a sale -if you chose from one of 10 styles. Of the 10 styles only one reminded me of the wall color ...or would even compliment the wall color... and so we went with that. Everyone that walks in thinks we made that choice originally and loves it. The color of the granite is one I would have never looked, but now I really like it.

[birdlite]

I like it!

[StarFemme]

It looks nice! Because your cabinets are light colored, you can get away with dark countertops and dark floors. And initially, greys and browns sound like they don't go together but my granite countertop has both and it works well with the stainless steel appliances and the the brown cabinets... Your tiles look like they'll tie everything in together. I'm sure it'll look fab! Can't wait to see the end result!

[thoughtpolice]

Looks good overall, though your counter looks like a solid colour, which I do not like for counters-dirt and scratches show up.

How much do you pay in Australia for glass mosiac tile like yours?

[thoughtpolice]

I also like the style of having the tile come right down to the counter, much more contemporary than the postform style.

Your sink will be much better when it has a faucet set.

[NorthernLight]

Crap... the new kitchen counter is too grey

You could toss it out and start over

I like the little mosaic tiles, they'll pull it together. Put a few small garish coloured appliances on the counter and nobody will think it's anything but lovely.

[janieblack]

Looks good overall, though your counter looks like a solid colour, which I do not like for counters-dirt and scratches show up.

How much do you pay in Australia for glass mosiac tile like yours?

It's not a solid colour. This was the sample I was using:


though it is more grey and less motled IRL, more like this:


The glass mosiac tiles are $19.95 for a 300x300 sheet. Which is very dear. But the area is tiny and I always said I'd splash out on a few luxuries that I like and this will be one of them.

[Bluedoglover]

I love the fact, that you have such a nice big area between the sink and the cooker. I love cooking and that kitchen looks like it will make the preparation easy.

[Bluedoglover]

Oh, and like NL said, some red appliances will make it look great!

[thoughtpolice]

The glass mosiac tiles are $19.95 for a 300x300 sheet. Which is very dear.

That is not bad, really. A couple hundred bucks spent on a classy touch like that is nothing.
I was just curious, glass mosaic here is about $10 to $40 per sq ft, so $20 is not a lot.
There is a tile wholesaler here who has catalogues of custom mosaics from Italy, and some large samples in the showroom. Not cheap, but just some astonishing pieces to glue to a wall or floor, mostly in various styles of glass. They will also reproduce whatever you give them in a design or-best of all- in a digital photo. They had examples of landscapes, nekkid women, favorite dogs,really complex wild geometric pieces etc- all in glass tile. They can even get considerable detail by using very small tile. Amazing stuff really.

Just a suggestion, and I don't know what lighting you have but if it is not too late shine a track light or undercabinet light on the glass, looks really good.

[Party_nutz]

I like the counter color. It anchors the room. Money spent on a backsplash is money well spent. It's not really expensive and the effect is huge.

[Cavaradossi]

Looks good overall, though your counter looks like a solid colour, which I do not like for counters-dirt and scratches show up.

How much do you pay in Australia for glass mosiac tile like yours?

It's not a solid colour. This was the sample I was using:


though it is more grey and less motled IRL, more like this:

Yeah, it is a bit too uniform. Kind of what I was trying to avoid too: granite that looks like one of those synthetic countertops. I went for a larger, more variegated pattern, but still looks predominantly black from a distance. Still hides spots and spills great. Try halogen undercabinet lights to bring out the grain and sheen of the granite. Mine look remarkable different in room light vs halogen light.

[thoughtpolice]

I'll take quartz over granite any day.

[Cavaradossi]

I really liked the marble materials I saw. Talk about distinctive. But seemed like a problematic material for staining and cracking.

[StarFemme]

I'll take quartz over granite any day.

really? why?

[Party_nutz]

If I ever remodel another kitchen I'm dooing butcher block counters.

[thoughtpolice]

I'll take quartz over granite any day.

really? why?

because granite is a) susceptible to staining and b) requires regular maintenance c) is more fragile.
quartz does not have the attractive variation in grain that granite has....
quartz is about 5% more expensive though, or it is here.

[Cavaradossi]

By quartz, do you mean those stone and plastic resin composites kind of like terrazzo ? You can't actually get slabs of polished quartz stone can you?

[thoughtpolice]

By quartz, do you mean those stone and plastic resin composites kind of like terrazzo ? You can't actually get slabs of polished quartz stone can you?

Yes, they are 93% quartz, 7% resin. Stronger than granite too, but not as attractive for some people because there is less variation in grain and pattern.
I don't know the answer to your last question but qwould guess it is no.
It's a personal preference, most people with granite are very happy with their choice.

[janieblack]

By quartz, do you mean those stone and plastic resin composites kind of like terrazzo ? You can't actually get slabs of polished quartz stone can you?

Yes, they are 93% quartz, 7% resin. Stronger than granite too, but not as attractive for some people because there is less variation in grain and pattern.

That is the counter I have... and some of their samples were very patterned. I prefer a light pattern, myself. At least for this kitchen.
I can't comment on whether it was more pricey than granite as I didn't look at that as an option. I wanted a very low maintenance counter top. Polishing and sealing and all that is not for me.

[rider5]

I am confused, is your countertop mat'l natural stone or not?

BTW nice rotary dishwasher

[janieblack]

It's a quartz/resin counter as described above.

[rider5]

It's a quartz/resin counter as described above.

Oops. I approve like thoughtpolice this seems preferable to natural stone but my choices in finish mat'ls are always weighted towards utility.

If I ever remodel another kitchen I'm dooing butcher block counters.

I wouldn't. A cutting board is easier to deal with unless you are processing a giant squid.

[incognita]

Concrete for me, IMO, this is gorgeous:

[Cavaradossi]

By quartz, do you mean those stone and plastic resin composites kind of like terrazzo ? You can't actually get slabs of polished quartz stone can you?

Yes, they are 93% quartz, 7% resin. Stronger than granite too, but not as attractive for some people because there is less variation in grain and pattern.

That is the counter I have... and some of their samples were very patterned. I prefer a light pattern, myself. At least for this kitchen.
I can't comment on whether it was more pricey than granite as I didn't look at that as an option. I wanted a very low maintenance counter top. Polishing and sealing and all that is not for me.

Wow, that's quartz? I do like the pattern (the top one) more than most I've seen. Seems like if it's manmade-ish the color should be more consistent with your sample, no excuse for that. With granite they always give you a disclaimer for natural variation, but frankly the examples I've seen have been pretty consistent. I had to go the warehouse and select and sign off on the slab they used.

[thoughtpolice]

="Cavaradossi"]

By quartz, do you mean those stone and plastic resin composites kind of like terrazzo ? You can't actually get slabs of polished quartz stone can you?

Yes, they are 93% quartz, 7% resin. Stronger than granite too, but not as attractive for some people because there is less variation in grain and pattern.

That is the counter I have... and some of their samples were very patterned. I prefer a light pattern, myself. At least for this kitchen.
I can't comment on whether it was more pricey than granite as I didn't look at that as an option. I wanted a very low maintenance counter top. Polishing and sealing and all that is not for me.

Wow, that's quartz? I do like the pattern (the top one) more than most I've seen. Seems like if it's manmade-ish the color should be more consistent with your sample, no excuse for that. With granite they always give you a disclaimer for natural variation, but frankly the examples I've seen have been pretty consistent. I had to go the warehouse and select and sign off on the slab they used.[/quote]
Quartz comes in a zillion shades and combos of colour, but it tends to be a consistent look to the colours. You can also get all kinds of bits of glass and mirror etc in the mix if you feel festive. Granite and other 100% natural stone has much more variation in colour and grain as it is more or less random. But.... I also have no desire to maintain any of it, ever.