Interior Design Kitchen Trends
Granite Countertops and Tile Backsplash Ideas
We were recently asked this interior design question, through "Ask Andrea":
"I am working on my kitchen. The cabinets will be a medium beige stain and the floor will be made of cream color porcelain tiles. I'm not sure what color granite for the countertop and what kind of design for the backsplash that will go with the cabinets and the floor tile."
And here's what Stanton Homes' on staff interior design expert Andrea recommends:
First of all, I am going to make the assumption that what you mean by the description "medium beige stain" is that your cabinets will be a light wood tone-- perhaps even a light maple, seeing as light oak tends to look more golden than beige.
With this shade of cabinet and cream colored porcelain tiles you have a very neutral color palette so I have three different suggestions for you depending on what better suits your taste and what will flow better with the rest of your home.
However, starting with this neutral color palette, I can picture more combinations than I am suggesting because you have so far done an excellent job at creating a space that will allow for quite a bit of flexibility in design.
1. Modern Style with Warm Tones
A modern look in the warm tones could be created with a rich Santa Fe Brown or Suede Brown granite in combination with a coffee glass mosaic used for the entire back splash or in one large section of the back splash such as the range or cook top area, in combination with large rectangular tiles in a bark color.
There are two concepts here that makes this look more modern: first of all it is somewhat monochromatic, and secondly, it introduces a much less traditional look in back splashes by creating a large section of mosaics to add shine and glamor in combination with the less commonly seen use of very large tiles.
This is actually a very easy look to create and yet it is new and different enough that it will create a lot of visual interest.
2. Modern Style with Cool Tones
A second modern look but in the cooler tones could be created with a Kashmir White granite (warm and cool tones of gray with specs of white and garnets) used in combination with a charcoal gray vertical glass mosaic.
Again, this combination is somewhat monochromatic (especially when teamed up with stainless steel appliances), and also makes use of a less traditional back splash design: a vertical glass mosaic.
If you feel your kitchen would benefit from the use of some vertical lines to draw your eye upwards, then a vertical glass tile is a good way to go.
Hint: use a contrasting grout color such as one that will pick up the shade of your cabinets or walls, as this will emphasize the vertical pattern much more than a grout color that matches the tile color.
3. Traditional Style "New Venetial Gold Original"
The third look I am suggesting is definitely on the "traditional" side and again, depending on your taste and the rest of your home, you may feel that this idea is more suitable.
Select a "New Venetian Gold Original" granite (there are now many shades of new Venetian Gold" so the word "original" is important here) and use this with a Durango Beige natural tumbled stone tile in either a 4 x 4 or a 3 x 6 size.
With the 4 x 4, you can install this on the diagonal throughout the back splash and for an accent in the cooktop/range area, use a Noce tumbled stone, or some 2 x 2 glass medallions in a rich brown.
For the 3 x 6, simply install in a brick pattern and really no accent is necessary.
I do recommend using a combination sealer/enhancer on the stone rather than just a sealer. The enhancer brings out depth of color naturally occurring in the stone.
Under Cabinet Lighting
Finally, in all cases, I would recommend installing Xenon (or similar) under cabinet lighting.
Under cabinet lighting will show off the natural beauty of all of the colors found in your granite, it will also highlight what you have invested in both the granite and the tile back splash, it creates a great evening look for entertaining as you can have the under cabinet lighting on without the overhead lighting in your ceiling, and last but not least, it is a wonderful and very helpful task light while cooking.
Once you experience the difference you will wonder how you ever got along with out it.
Finally, you will find yourself using your entire counter since now the area under the shadow of the wall cabinets is lit up--its as though suddenly you have twice the space you thought you had!
Do you have interior design questions? Want to know the hottest 2012 design trends for your Raleigh new home?
Then "Ask Andrea," on-staff interior design expert for Raleigh new home builder Stanton Homes.
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Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2011. Unauthorized use is not permitted. Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements. Please note: all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date. Information subject to change. Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build. Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions. Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan. Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area. No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.
