Cabinetry colors and countertops

So I posted about my cabinetry layouts a while ago so I felt it was time to finally unveil my cabinetry colors and  countertop choices as well :) It was quite a long and confusing process for me to pick the cabinets and I won't bore you with all the details. However, I will say this: Go into the design phase having an idea of the look you want! I repeat, know the look you want! Otherwise, the design phase will be exponentially harder. I am living proof!!

Greg and I both thought we wanted a pretty modern kitchen with cabinets that were Shaker style and had very little detail to them. From countless hours on Houzz we found out that we are a transitional style. Basically a fancy way of saying we straddle traditional and modern in our design aesthetic. We aren't totally one way or another, we like elements of both. Like most people today we appreciate the modern design elements everywhere but like to keep them grounded with traditional pieces. Knowing this you might say, well Laura, sounds like you have a good idea of what you like and went into the kitchen design phase pretty well informed, and you would be right. However, this knowing your "style" doesn't take into account two factors: price and just falling for something you didn't see coming. See that is just what I did. I fell for some pretty traditional cabinets that are not really that modern look we were going for. Then to top it off I looked at Shaker style cabinets and didn't love them! Crazy right?!! The price on the shaker cabinets did me in too. They were so much more than the traditional cabinets! So here I was with a huge problem on my hands. I fell for something I didn't see coming but I still wanted that "transitional style" kitchen. How was I going to make that happen if my cabinets were so traditional?

So I talked with our kitchen designer and she suggested we try and find a way to balance out the cabinets with some more modern elements. Since our kitchen is huge and had two islands we decided to do the prep island in a different cabinet. Read: dark color and a more modern style. Making that choice I was worried that the mix of cabinets would be strange, but now the more I have thought about it, the more I like it and think it will look great.

Here is a reminder of the kitchen layout. The kitchen wall and the larger island is going to be in the Madison White.  The smaller prep island will be in the Kent Birch espresso. The color and style for both is shown below.

Madison white cabinets from the manufacturer's website.

Prep island cabinets

So we decided we would bring in more of the modern touches with appliances and hardware.

This handle has pretty clean lines and is modern without being overly modern. So it will work on the white and espresso cabinets.

Next we had to decide what countertops we wanted to use. Well like a dummy I started researching granite, quartz, marble, soapstone, and butcher block. Well I have very expensive taste it seems and quickly gravitated to the soapstone and butcher block! Eeek! For those of you who don't know, Soapstone is one of the best countertop options out there. It is stain and heat proof and never needs sealed like granite or marble. It is used often in chemistry labs because it will not interact with the chemicals. It has an amazing silky feel hence why it is called Soapstone. It's one drawback is it can be kinda soft and chip or scratch. However, this can easily be fixed by sanding it down. Yep that's right, Soapstone can be sanded down! I love that! I think it is awesome that if it gets chipped or scratched I just take out my handy dandy power sander with some fine grit sandpaper and go to town! Or I could leave the scratches and chips and it will add some patina to the kitchen. Either way, I love that there are options. Also, to naturally darken the Soapstone from a Grey/Charcoal to a Dark Grey/Black you can oil the stone with Mineral Oil or Wax. Soapstone gradually darkens over time anyway and the mineral oil just speeds up the process.

 

 Here is a slab that I really like. It has veining that is somewhat similar to marble and "freckles" or dark charcoal areas. I like that it has movement and some depth without being "busy".

 

Another close up of the slab that shows the veining and color differentiation a little more. However, when you look at the whole area and not up close it just reads gray/charcoal which is exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately these slabs are gorgeous and my camera is just not doing them justice!

My plan is to use the Soapstone on the Madison white cabinetry and to use butcher block on the prep island. Some people like the look of butcher block and some do not. It really appeals to me because I love that it is practical and the whole countertop is a cutting board. The only drawback is I am kinda funny sometimes and may grow to not love all of the knife marks and wear and tear it shows. The great thing about butcher block is if I so choose, I can also sand it down and get rid of the marks. I think this is amazing. I love having options! Additionally, I think that the butcher block top which will be lighter would be a nice contrast with the dark cabinets of the island.



 Sample of a butcher block top similar to what I like. This is beech wood and would be sealed like the Soapstone with a food grade mineral oil or wax.

So many people say they would not cut on their butcher block countertops and I think that is the reason to get them! I love that I can seal them, meaning protect them and bring out the gorgeous grain of the wood, but still use them. I think there is something beautiful about a kitchen that is a "living, working Kitchen" and not just a show piece. So butcher block is an excellent choice for me.

For our master bath we are going to do the Madison white cabinets with a soapstone countertop.
For bath #2 we are going to do the Kent Birch Espresso cabinets with a soapstone countertop. In bath #3 we are doing the Kent Birch Espresso cabinets and a Silestone solid surface countertop in Alpina White.

Here is a picture of the Alpina White. It is actually two different shades of gray so not sure where the name comes from. I like the gray and think it will go well with the tile we picked out that is a creamy white with gray swirls in it.

All of the bathroom sinks are going to be under mount and rectangular like this one. I just love these! It is a little more modern and will help bring that into our bathrooms.

Getting excited! We have picked so many things and it is really starting to become real. I just hope all of my choices will blend together well! I guess we shall see :)