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DH and I are starting to remodel the kitchen. Right now we are working on the outer wall pensinsula with the sink and snack bar.

He's making the cabinets himself. I found this photo as our inspiraton.

They are going to be the beadboard in a chestnut color with aged copper hardware instead of the darker bronze in the photo.

My question is: Who out there has Quartz countertops? I found a color and pattern I love in the Cambria Collection.

If you have Quartz I'd love to hear what you think about it.

I'll also post this on the remodeling boards.

TIA Zone9

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zone9alady,

First cabinet already finished:

I DO. The color I have is Carmel. I have copper hardware too. I like the Quartz a lot. And had no problem at all with the counters. I think have had them for about 9 yrs.
I will show some pics of the counters and the hardware.

Hardware

The two Cambria Quartz colors I'm thinking about, the one on the left has copper flecks in it....

Thank you Lilsophie, love your hardware too. I like that you have the high backsplash out of quartz too...I'm thinking about doing the same.

Good to hear no problems in 9 years!

Handsome cabinetry and you're a lucky women to have such a willing and able DH to custom make them.

I feel the one on the left will offer more contrast as contrast to the wood is very important.

Have them, love them, wouldn't get anything else.

I've had quartz in my previous home; now I have granite.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about with the Silestone quartz was the uniformity of the pattern and color. But, that was about 8 years ago, and today, there are new series of patterns that have more variety that better mimics real stone. The granite I have was chosen for its fluidity and variety.

Other than that, the quartz was easy to maintain and always looked good.

Your cabinets are gorgeous, and if it were up to me, I'd find a quartz that has a rustic vitality in its markings, like this Silestone Zinite pattern, part of its Stonium collection.

ETA: oops, just realized you were already considering Cambria. I like the one on the right hand side.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aychihuahua,

I have Silestone Rhine Leather. I love it. I needed a subdued pattern and color because of all the other colors I have going on in my kitchen.

Thanks for the input ladies!

Aychi I saw that pattern too...love it!

Going to see the actual samples next weekend. Bringing a cabinet door with me.

Although you didn't ask, have you considered a countertop with less pattern in it? Your cabinets have a lot of pattern and texture already, and given that your husband is making them, it seems you would want them to be the focal point. I could see Absolute Black honed granite, soapstone or Silestone Dinux http://www.silestoneusa.com/colors/

I am liking that first cabinet! What a great match to your inspirational photo! GREAT work! He is so talented! Of course I saw that from your dining area built-ins he did!

I agree on less movement on the counter top material, will showcase the cabinets more.

Cavin and Mary, yes we did think about that. DH's brother has that black granite with the sparkles in it...I forgot what it's called but everytime I go over there it's looks like nothing but fingerprints and smears. Either it's hard to keep looking that nice or SIL is a mess! LOL!

DH and I want a lot of movement in a countertop pattern. More than most people I would guess. Maybe it's because of this boring off white crackled look Formica we've been living with for 9 years.

Oh and thanks Mary, I'm very proud of DH! I know I could never build the cabinets myself! Actually the flash made the cabinet look a lot more golden than it is...it's really the same color as the inspiration photo.

Cavin, I just reread your post...you said "honed" black...now that would make a difference with the fingerprints.

How timely. I am having new countertops installed on Tuesday.
I selected Silestone Quartz -- Stellar Night -- which is black with real mirror flecks in it.
I also chose the Arbor series stainless Moen faucet with pull-down sprayer.
I am excited but nervous.
I only pray my expectations turn out half as nice as your beautiful new kitchen.
Enjoy it.

arepo...how neat! Make sure you post photos when they are done...I wanna see!

I tend to agree with those who suggest you choose a more subdued counter for your beautiful cabinets. In your inspiration picture, the cabinets and counters sort of blend together. Here are a couple of pictures of dark counters on medium color wood. While the cabinets are not as detailed as yours, it gives you an idea of how contrast between them can give both more emphasis.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sharon W,

Another.

Below is an image of a rustic handmade kitchen, much like Z9L's original inspiration picture. This example shows -- counter-intuitively --how prominent wood grain patterns on oak cabinets can co-exist beautifully with a stongly variegated countertop. It's the overall color scheme of browns and tans that keeps things from looking busy or disjointed.

While I like all of the examples of both busy counters and darker, simple ones, I always want to make sure how much clutter a client likes to have in their kitchen. Everything one adds to the decor also adds busyness to the room. In all of the examples with patterned counters, the accessorizing is minimal. When I am choosing permanent and therefore expensive things to a room, I think about the finished design, including the homeowner's collections and other things that get left on display.

Good points from everyone. I want lots of movement and bold pattern on my countertops but at the same time I always keep my counters clutter free. The only things I keep on my kitchen counter are a toaster and a coffeemaker.

quote:

Originally posted by SusanBradfordKent:
In all of the examples with patterned counters, the accessorizing is minimal. When I am choosing permanent and therefore expensive things to a room, I think about the finished design, including the homeowner's collections and other things that get left on display.

Excellent advice. I have what some would consider a "busy" granite countertop and do keep accessories to an absolute minimum. Perhaps that was just "intuition" on my part. :>)

Zone lady:
It is a done deal! My beautiful new countertops look smashing and they all did a fine job. My Silestone Quartz Stellar Night looks so pretty with it's shiny mirror flecks.
I only wish I could post a picture for you to see but unfortunately all urls and pictures no longer come through. I wonder why I was suddenly singled out not to be able to post photos and urls anymore on this website.
All kinds of happiness and good luck with yours. Your place looks great!

Awwe I wish they would fix the tech problems on this board!

Anyway, congrats on your new countertop!

Did you choose a backsplash yet? I ask because I purchased a gorgeous copper backsplash and we aren't going to use it. I still have the receipt, I think there is around 37 sq ft, but I'd have to check for sure. I'm looking to sell it waaaayyy below what I bought it for. It's really nice, it has different textures to it. Some pieces are matte, some shiny, some texture, really cool.

Ooo it sounds really cool looking, but we chose to make the backsplash the same quartz as the countertop.

Thanks anyway!

I just got my Cambria Quartz sample in.....I love it.

Look how well it goes with my copper hardware!

It has actual copper pieces it. It's called "Bradshaw" and they just came out with it in May2012. Good timing huh?

Can you tell I'm excited? LOL!

Oh and DH has finished the sink base..

He installed a few Rev-A-Shelf organizers for me too.

Z9L, lookin' good; lookin' real good.

AY stole my words. It all looks so pretty. Love the counter sample with the copper pulls.

Carolyn/zone9lady, the cabinets look super!! DH is so talented as are you! Wish I had your talent and eye for decor.....can't wait to see more pictures....thanks so much for sharing.

I really like it, looks great with the copper!
Post a pic when you are done.


(you need to resize your avatar)

Love the copper and counter you picked up. You have a great eye for putting things together and your DHs talents are incredible. Keep it up and look forward to more pics.

Thank ya'll for the nice words! It will be great once it's all installed. As soon as we remove the old cabinets and put these in place the quartz guys will come measure and make a template. Then after they install I can finally add my new sink and faucet! woohooo!

The old stuff is going out in DH's workshop.

quote:

Originally posted by kw2:
I really like it, looks great with the copper!
Post a pic when you are done.


(you need to resize your avatar)

I don't know what's going on with the avatars....on the garden boards it's so tiny you can hardly see it. I only uploaded one small size.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zone9alady,

Z9, your kitchen is going to be fantastic. I love your Florida home...from your kitchen to your concrete floors to your gardens Thanks for sharing.

too much beautiful!! I want a new kitchen....she says whining like a 2 yr old!!

Zone9lady: you are looking a bit large these days... Love the glasses and that beautiful smile!

WOW!!! Beautiful kitchen choices and beautiful work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yours is going to be one gorgeous kitchen! I love all your choices and the colors you are working with.

quote:

Originally posted by nance425:
Zone9lady: you are looking a bit large these days... ..........

LOL! DH has been telling me the same thing!

Thanks ladies, now we have to remove the old top and bottom cabinets and countertop. DH wants to put them in his new shop so there won't be any "sledge-hammering" going on around here like they do on TV.

Coming along nicely! AND that new avatar says it all with the happy smile!

quote:

Originally posted by arepo:
Zone lady:
It is a done deal! My beautiful new countertops look smashing and they all did a fine job. My Silestone Quartz Stellar Night looks so pretty with it's shiny mirror flecks.
I only wish I could post a picture for you to see but unfortunately all urls and pictures no longer come through. I wonder why I was suddenly singled out not to be able to post photos and urls anymore on this website.
All kinds of happiness and good luck with yours. Your place looks great!

Congrats on your new countertop! I've been planning to install the Stellar Night countertop myself but have heard of many stories with it showing dust and fingerprints easily. Had this been a problem for you?

Are you serious?
If anything it is just the opposite. Because of the mirror flecks in it you actually cannot tell when the countertop is not clean-- therefore it keeps me on my toes wiping and shining it up (not that it needs anymore shining. Ha!)
I adore it and get more compliments than I can say.
I am very happy.
Just be sure you are getting quality installers. That's the whole thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: arepo,

zone9alady, what are you doing for the backsplash? I ask because I have a beautiful copper colored backsplash that is a terracotta on the backside, but looks metal on the front. The company is called Original something. I can look it up. Anyway, it ended up not matching our kitchen and I was stuck with it. I'm just sick of it sitting in the boxes in our basement. I think there is 36 sq feet of it but I can recheck that. I don't know what state you're in, but you can PM me if interested. If you like it, you are welcome to it, you'd just have to pay for the shipping. PM me if you are interested I can send you pics, it's gorgeous.

Here's a pic of the tile, it's the 4x4s on the top

Hi Chloenkitty, that copper tile is gorgeous! We are going with the Cambria Quartz for the backsplash.

You should put that tile on Craigslist or something..it's beautiful!