This is the second time that we’ve been able to pick out kitchen counters for our homes in the past year, so as someone who loves making those decisions it turns out moving around has it’s benefits 🙂 We approached each time a little differently, and have learned some tips from experience and from the professionals that we can share!
The first step to counters is figuring out what type of material to use. We knew we wanted a stone that was low maintenance and durable, and narrowed it down the granite and quartz. The last time we countertop shopped, we found that the granites we were attracted to were the same price or higher than some of the quartz that we liked, so we opted for quartz since it’s less maintenance than granite.
After we decided on the quartz, we talked color. We knew we were working with white and stained cabinets and were leaning towards a white stone with some movement (our last house was almost a pure white with some sparkles in it, so we wanted to try something new) or a simple gray stone. Since there are SO many different whites, we brought in both cabinet doors to the store so we could see how it would all look together. The last thing we’d want to do is spend a chunk of change on a gorgeous stone, only to have it make our cabinets look dull or dingy.
We looked at the smaller samples in the store, but the biggest advice we have for picking out kitchen counters is to go look at the actual slabs! We tried looking online for photos, but nothing quite compared to seeing the slabs in person. Plus, walking through all of the aisles of these gorgeous stones is like being in a candy store. I’d run through the aisles singing and petting every single one with my hard hat on if they’d let me 😛
The one danger of the slab yard? ALL OF THE PRETTY THINGS. I always get so distracted. Like look at this! I’m not even sure what I’d do with it or where it would go, but how stinking amazing is this stone? I can totally see it in an industrial design with some moody masculine colors around it.
Even after all of that work, the options we thought we liked after looking at the smaller samples turned out to be way too busy when looking at the whole slab.
After carting around our cabinet doors to each option we originally liked, we narrowed it down to two very similar options, one white and one gray.
I was super tempted by the gray, but in the end we chose the white! The stone is called Eternal Statuario by Silestone. I like that it left us a little more freedom to do something different with the backsplash since both the cabinets and counters would be white, and it has both brown and longer gray veining which tied in with our house and the wood cabinets. The gray still has my heart a little bit though- maybe one day we can use it in our bathrooms!
The team marked the exact slabs we chose (which isn’t such a big deal with quartz, but with granite you definitely want to pick out your slabs since they can vary so much!) and we waited a couple of weeks for them to cut and install them.
Install day was magical, because it always makes the space feel so darn close to the finish line! From demo to the cabinet install to now, we were finally starting to feel like we had a kitchen again.
Excuse the wonky iPhone progress photos, but hopefully that helps anyone looking to make a decision on kitchen counters themselves! What other advice do you have after your shopping trips? We’d love to hear 🙂
Your kitchen is beautiful. I am considering the eternal statuario for my kitchen counters. I want to use a more creamy white for my cabinets in my kitchen. A stark white will not go well. Do you feel you could use a creamy white for the cabinets with this quartz? Thank you, any input is appreciated.
Hi Brandie! Thanks so much for the nice note! I definitely feel you could use a creamy white with more of a tan undertone. We loved this quartz because you can pull both gray and brown tones from the veining, so there are lots of options that would blend now and down the road with this stone 🙂 Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for the reply! I can only see a small sample of it where I live. The 2 places near me that I can view full slabs do not carry that line. I’m considering SW dover white or creamy for my cabinets. It’s good to know that this one isn’t so white that I couldn’t do a creamy white. It’s so pretty! I didn’t want to have to rule it out! Thanks again!
I bought the Victoria Ivory cabinets from Cabinets To Go. What would you recommend for countertops? I sure would love the backsplash to be a muted blue, aquamarine or something like that. The Victoria Ivory Cabinets are hard to get the three to work together. What do you think?
Hi Felicia! I would stick with something simple – either a bright white or a charcoal quartz depending on what color you pick for the backsplash. I’m sure it will turn out amazing!
Do you remember the name of the grey quartz you were considering?
What was the grey that you didn’t choose?
Hi Beth! It’s from the same Silestone Eternal line, but is called Serena 🙂
Hi! We are doing similar colors. But dark outer cabinets and I was thinking the white marble
Like quartz on them. And then the White Island with the grey quartz. Any thoughts on mixing the counters like this. Decor is not my thing. Thank you!
Hi Trisha! Lots of people mix and match similar to your vision! I think that would look great! I would recommend keeping the hardware the same on both the outer and island so there is some cohesiveness, however that’s just my personal opinion 🙂 Hope that helps and best of luck on your project – kitchens are so fun!
Hi! It’s so hard to finish a kitchen during this pandemic as you can imagine, can’t visit showrooms. I have bright white flat panel cabinetry but not too bright. I’m thinking of a quartz taupe counter (Wilsonart Pompeii), it would go with my large format porcelain floors in creamy tone with flecs of taupe throughout. I’m afraid of large colors of taupe but also concerned that the pattern in eternal statuario would clash with speckled floor. I would really appreciate your thoughts on counters and want a quality product. Also, really like how you put stools up to your island without creating an overhang, how’s that working out? THANKS!!
Hi Amy! Definitely difficult without being able to visit showrooms! If you want a taupe countertop then Statuario might not be the best fit, as it is a shade of white. The pattern in it is super subtle and pretty if you do however! The stools work great, but they were only used casually. If you plan on eating lots of meals and such at the counter then I’d recommend an overhang if the space allows it 🙂
We love your kitchen project. We are designing a kitchen using the same colors. What color wood stain is your island. It breaks up all the white nicely.
Did she ever get back to you on the island color wood?
Do you happen to know what brand and color of paint was used on the white cabinets?
Hi Bonnie! They were Kraftmaid in their color Dove White 🙂
Prior to installing cabinets, I want the floor down in the entire kitchen. I want it under the cabinets , not flooring butting up to the cabinets. Saves any changes or additions. And, looks better. And, you can make the bottom of the cabinets where the kick plate is, into drawers for storage of cooking sheets and anything flat.
Hi Diana! That’s a wonderful way to do it as well! We were not able to due to timing of contractors, but I do love the ability to change the layout in the future by laying floors first. Have a wonderful day!
Hi. I am thinking about putting trillium by dekton on a bar countertop. What backsplash would you recommend?
What is the cabinet finish for the wood island?
I love your kitchen! Do you think you could use a bright white like SW High Reflective White on your cabinets with the Eternal Statuario counters?
Hi Michelle! Statuario is not as bright of a white, but if you like a little contrast then I think it would look great!
Hi, I’m getting Howdens sage green kitchen units fitted and quite like Silestone Lagoon and Yukon, would appreciate your thoughts. Want a light worktop but with a little movement really
Thank you
Hi Deb! If you’d like minimal movement, I’d lean towards Yukon as Lagoon has a smaller veining design to mimic marble. If possible to go look at both slabs with your cabinet door that would always be my first suggestion 🙂
HI, JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHERE WERE YOU ABLE TO SEE IT IN A BIG SLAB? THANKS
Hi! Your kitchen is gorgeous! I am looking at Et Statuario for out kitchen counters. However, I am thinking of doing lighter gray cabinets and a white tile backsplash. Do you think this would look okay with the stauario?? So hard to tell! Thanks so much!!
HI! Your kitchen looks fantastic! We are considering the same quartz as you … the Statuario. Just curious to know which paint colour you went for for your cabinets? We are looking for a white paint colour for our walls and cabinets. We were considering BM Simply White? Could you share what you used, or do you have any idea what Simply White might look like with the Statuario? Thanks for any input you might have!
Hi Julie! Thanks so much! Unfortunately we have moved and no longer have this kitchen so I can’t hold up a paint swatch to the doors to check, but these cabinets were the factory finish from Kraftmaid. I would take a trip to Lowes/Home Depot and bring some paint swatches and hold them up next to the white doors they offer and that should be a great start! They have also even have samples there if that’s helpful 🙂 Best of luck!
I am getting Diamond Cabinets in the color white. it is definitely a warm white. How will Stauario look with these cabinets?