Interior Design Q&A: Mixing & Matching Countertops

Q. We are planning on going for “honey on cherry” cabinets and gunstock wood floors in our new home. We would like to go for granite countertops. We have a few options but haven’t been able to decide which one to go for. The reason for the confusion is that I like my kitchen to look open and airy. I don’t want it to look dark. I am afraid the black or greenish black granite will make it look smaller and not as open and airy. Also, I want to add color to my kitchen. But at the same time, I like to mix and match and am looking to make my kitchen look different and not the typical conservative one. Also, I am looking to have at least a bit of a contrast in the kitchen with the granite or the island cabinets (since the floors and the cabinets being light colored). I have these following options. Could you please provide your suggestion: 1. Uba Tuba (greenish black) granite on both the island and the perimeter countertops 2. Giallo Vinceza granite on the perimeter countertops and absolute black on the island countertop. 3. Giallo Vinceza granite on both the perimeter countertops and island countertop but change the island to be “garnet on cherry” wood color. 4. Giallo Vinceza granite on the perimeter countertops and absolute black on the island countertop and change the island to be “garnet on cherry” wood color. The perimeter countertops are currently “honey on cherry” wood color. I also have stainless steel appliances. Also, could you suggest something for the backsplash? Right now, I am thinking of beige with splashes of terracotta. Would the splashes of terracotta be too much for any of the options above? Please suggest what you like the best

A.  We have never had much luck mixing two different types of granite. Another option you may want to consider could be to install granite on one surface and a solid surface (Ex. Corian) or butcher block on the other. Take into consideration that if one surface has a lot of variations that the other surface might look best if it is a bit more “simple”. This will eliminate the two surfaces competing with one another. We like your idea of mixing things up. Adding different surfaces, textures and colors contribute to the character of your kitchen. The mixing of wood species or finishes on the different cabinets is a beautiful touch, but again you might consider using two different finishes on the cabinets and remaining consistent with the countertops or vice versa. Because you are worried about making your kitchen appear smaller or closed in, you may want to keep your countertops consistent. Generally, the more things are broken up, the smaller a space will look. I would also suggest that you approve the actual slab of granite that will be installed before you have it installed. Each piece of granite will vary in color and design and because granite does not usually carry a warranty, you do not want to be surprised with the stone you have installed. Without looking at your kitchen, it is difficult for us to be more specific. Please call Tuckey Restoration for more information or for a consultation. Thank you for your question.

******

(Picture By Stonetopgranite (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)