Kitchen Granite Advice . . .

[JavaBrewer]

I like the first granite you posted and advise you to steer clear of colors (like the second blue granite). That range/oven needs to go. How much is the layout going to change in the remodel? You will love the solid surface counter with under mount sink!

[look 171]

We always request the fabricator to imbed a rebar (epoxy under the slab) in the front and back area of the sink area for additional strength

[Mark Henry]

I owned a cabinet shop for almost 20 years, I personally don't think much of granite (any stone) tops. Same with Corian, which always looks dull.
They look great in a magazine, but I bet you'll go through a few wine glasses, top is so hard they snap just setting your glass down. Plus at the cost you are married to that top.
Plastic laminate comes in 12' sheets, no seam on that straight run.

[sammyg2]

When the wife and I first got married we had a small place that had solid stone countertops. I really liked them, the wife wasn't that impresed and didn't appreciate them. It was almost as if she took them for granite.

ba da bump.
that joke never gets old (to me).

[imcarthur]

Good comments all . . .

Some facts. We decided that the layout has to stay. It would be a huge & expensive reno to move walls or reposition appliances or change to an open concept which we are not fans of anyway. I would love an island but I just don’t have the available real estate. The range/stove stays. It is not old & I love it & I am the household cook. We both dislike the current stainless trend anyway. It too will pass & white will still be there. We put granite in our bathroom 2 years ago (vanity top) & I admire it every time I walk into the room, so stone is definitely in our plans.

We will buy the whole slab of granite & it will go to a fabricator so I have 117inx66inx2cm to play with. I like the idea of a raised baking area or maybe just a piece of the granite for a large cutting board. We are also thinking about a 4in splash made of the granite with tile above it until the cupboards.

And I agree. The 1st piece of granite is a winner.

Ian

[Drisump]

Granite is too hard to use as a cutting board, it will dull knives in no time and eventually the granite would have to be re-polished. We would normally use a suitable wood. It adds warmth to the kitchen, it minimizes damage to the knives and can be easily resurfaced (and re-oiled) when required. Cheers

[john70t]

Not sure if there is a perfect counter top surface:
-Granite is hard and smooth, but breaks crystal and can be brittle.
-Wood is soft and solid, but scratches easily and needs re-oiling and invites bacteria.
-Laminate is nice, but difficult to find in good quality and trim is almost NLA.

[red-beard]

Wood actually kills bacteria. It is anti-microbial.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

...
It would be a huge & expensive reno to move walls or reposition appliances or change to an open concept which we are not fans of anyway.
...

For 20 grand I'd think the guy could take out the top half of the wall next to the stove.

And seriously... how do you get into that back cabinet?

[daepp]

A few granite seam shots - they've never bothered me at all.

[mfiazzo]

The sink.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by gtc

And seriously... how do you get into that back cabinet?

That's where we store the waffle maker.

But we are thinking . . .

My wife threw this project on me at Christmas. I have already spent a week in Vegas since & I have a week in LA coming up next Monday. So . . . I haven't had any real planning time. Oh & I came back from Vegas to face a root canal on Monday & a serious post-convention cold. The contractor has agreed to a mid-April finish so the clock is ticking. So I appreciate the comments. At the very least, we will wrap a useless cupboard around (and slightly L the counter top) & fill that horrid hole beside the stove.

Ian

[gr8fl4porsche]

Plan the entire project down to the smallest detail and start purchasing your products. Nothing worse than getting to a stage in the process only to find what you want has a long lead time or even takes a few days shipping.

Pick out colors, hardware, appliances, light fixtures, trim styles - everything. Have it all staged somewhere prior to starting - assuming you are supplying a majority of items and contractor is doing the install. Designing as you go costs the most and takes the longest.

Even something as simple as finding a trim profile to match your existing trim can take a week if someone has to custom cut it for you.

[madmmac]

Can you take a shot from the other room looking at the sink?

Is it a dead end where the original pic is taken from?

[mikester]

We have Caesar Stone. Love it.

[imcarthur]

Not totally to scale but close enough. The pic was taken at the X. The house is a 1963 backsplit. We use the challenged cupboards 'hidden' by the stove for occasional cooking pots etc. Visually it is OK except you see the stove from the front foyer. The wall between the LR/DR & the kitchen is load-bearing - as is the wall behind the stove.



Ian

[imcarthur]

And we are go for Granite #1. We can get what we want for $3700 finished. The Blue Granite was $6920, so my wife finally gave it up.

Ian

[daepp]

Granite is too hard and shiny? Seriously?

Sammy - thanks for helping me spill my wine! Very good sir.

[tevake]

Hey My wife didn't want stone counter tops for just those reasons, too hard, to cold.
We went for silestone, a manufactured material. One of the factors was the installer. The guy that did ours was excellent to work with. Plus we couldn't believe the price for stone here. I was so glad she felt as she did.

Sounds like Madmmac may be working up a new lay out for you. That stove does look just jammed in there. A half wall to its left could improve things. IMO

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

Here is a thought for you. replace the table with an island, moved slightly closer to the counters, with the stove in the island. Then the counter can turn to fill the ex stove location. Adding counter space and under counter storage. Then cut the wall between the kitchen and dining room down to bar height and install a breakfast bar with stools on the kitchen side. Makes a great pass through to the dining room. Just a thought.
I may have been watching too many remodel shows.

OK so I just read through your earlier comments and realized that I've done just what designers do, not listen to your thinking.

Cheers Richard