Granite and backsplash choices: which would you do?

21 Feb

So despite going into our renovation 100% certain on the direction we planned to go for our kitchen countertops, when the moment to officially commit, we stalled. To make a long story short, we’ve had sourcing issues on our preferred countertop and thus decided to look for an alternative. That sourcing issue has ultimately turned out to be a miscommunication, but we’ve now got two vastly different ideas and we’d love your opinion!

Our kitchen taste is what I would call classic but my mother apparently calls “milk toast,” so we feel that adding one element of real visual interest will make that item shine. The question is: should that shine come from the countertops themselves or a snazzy backsplash?

Choice 1: Super white quartzite with a snazzy backsplash

Super white is more classic and also less expensive than our other selection. The difference in cost means we would still have room in the budget for a fancy backsplash, and probably a design need for it anyway to spice up the room.

Super White Quartzite.

With our snazzy backsplash from New Ravenna (still not entirely sure of the color scheme, but this would be the pattern:

 

And the wildcard: Chatham New Ravenna in stone. The pattern sort of mirrors the lighting we'll have in the kitchen in a nice way.

And the wildcard: Chatham New Ravenna in stone. The pattern sort of mirrors the lighting we’ll have in the kitchen in a nice way.

 

Choice 2: Fusion granite with white subway backsplash

The fusion granite is pretty wild and thus would need a really neutral surround to let it shine on its own (it’s also considerably more expensive, so not much room left for other options anyway). We therefore would opt for a subdued white subway surround. I’m posting the actual slab we saw plus a photo of a similar usage of fusion granite found on Houzz.

fusion granite smaller

Fusion granite: yellow barrier not included. This photo makes the grays appear rather blue, but the underlying color definitely leaned to the gray side.

Screen shot 2013-02-21 at 4.08.04 PM

Fusion granite in a white kitchen. Our backsplash would just be plain white subway.

 

So, what would you choose?

 

  • Ben Herzog

    I like the first one a lot. I have never figured out why they call it ‘superwhite’. The slabs rarely look predominantly white to me… but I digress. It looks like it could match your Ravenna backsplash really well but the ideal thing to do, imo, would be to get a few pieces of the Ravenna and bring them to the stoneyard to hold up next to the slabs you are considering. You may find yourself moving in another direction if you see a different stone that is an even better match. Or, at least you will know it will work well. I am probably stating the obvious to you though. My vote is for #1.

    Thanks,
    Ben

    • brownstonegirl

      Thanks Ben! We appreciate the confirmation of our suspicions and the additional advice on the tile. The backsplash is very customizable in terms of the color, so we can adjust it if need be against the stone. I think we’ll work in that direction rather than the reverse to avoid any further potential countertop distractions!