OT - Granite Counter tops -

[iwannago!!]

Once you narrow down your choices of granite, be sure to do some googling to find out other peoples experience with that same granite. Some light granites are horrible for staining... so if your child spills their red koolaid, or you spill your red wine, and you don't mop it up fast enough, you could have the red bleed into the granite. Most light granites will need to be sealed often. Dark granites are more forgiving with spills & staining, but do your research.

We went with Tan & Brown - which is a dark black with lots of brown in it, not far off from Baltic Brown. Here is a pic.
Good luck!

Tara - I have that same faucet in my kitchen and absolutely LOVE it!

 

[Soulsearching]

Once you narrow down your choices of granite, be sure to do some googling to find out other peoples experience with that same granite. Some light granites are horrible for staining... so if your child spills their red koolaid, or you spill your red wine, and you don't mop it up fast enough, you could have the red bleed into the granite. Most light granites will need to be sealed often. Dark granites are more forgiving with spills & staining, but do your research.

We went with Tan & Brown - which is a dark black with lots of brown in it, not far off from Baltic Brown. Here is a pic.
Good luck!

Tara - I have that same faucet in my kitchen and absolutely LOVE it!

Uhmmm, can't see your pic! Please try again.

 

[TaraPA]

I couldn't see the pic either. I'll look for that whole granite cleaning kit next time I'm at Lowes, then I've got the sealer right away too. Thanks for the info Buzz. We got our granite from a granite distributor, and they left the Marba Mist here when they installed it. I'm sure they sell it but it's not conveniently located for me to just run over for a bottle.


Soulsearching - make any decisions?

 

[DMickey28]

I was just lurking on this thread and wanted to tell you, Tara, that I LOVE your kitchen.

After see all those pictures, I HAVE to see the outside of your house.

DH and I have been married for 3 years, 9month old DS and are really just starting out. Your house is the kind of house I dream of having in 10 years ... though I would kill to have it now!!

 

[hogue123]

I'm thinking of getting granite counter tops and am having such anxiety about picking a color.

I am redecorating my kitchen, picking out a new paint color and accessories, which I have not done yet because the granite has me at a stand still.

A little info: I have white cabinets, white appliances, a creamy beige flesh color tiled floor, white moldings and dark oak table and chairs. The kitchen can be seen from the living room, dining room, and family room. The colors that run through the house are Deep red, golden yellow and sage green. It's very traditional.

Any suggestions on a color?

We have white cabinets as well. We just upgraded to granite. My husband likes the granite that is more uniform, absolute black to be exact. I like more movement and not so uniform. We compromised by doing absolute black on the perimeter cabinets and New Venetian Gold on the island. We LOVE it. The new venetian gold has a little black, dark dark burgundy, tanish/goldish color and some white and cream. Definitely go to a place where you can pick out your slab. As other posters have mentioned, they can be the same exact name and look like two completely different granites.

I have to agree with everyone else, Tara, your house is gorgeous!

 

[TaraPA]

I was just lurking on this thread and wanted to tell you, Tara, that I LOVE your kitchen.

After see all those pictures, I HAVE to see the outside of your house.

DH and I have been married for 3 years, 9month old DS and are really just starting out. Your house is the kind of house I dream of having in 10 years ... though I would kill to have it now!!

Ok I actually don't have any nice pics of the outside - the front shot is from the day we moved in 2 years ago, the week before Christmas. Not much landscaping or lighting or anything, we were just happy to get a pic for the family Christmas card (and to move out of the hotel we had to live in for 4 weeks til the house was done!) The side pic shows much better landscaping. Yes that's my wheelbarrow, I do almost all of the landscaping myself. I refuse to pay others for something I can (and should) do myself. And I enjoy it. That was a "before" pic from when I planted shrubs & grasses to hide those AC units.

Keep dreaming your dream. When DH & I moved to this town 12 years ago we were expecting out 1st baby, had 2 car payments & a house 1/3 this size with a hefty mortgage. I'd drive by this development & dream, wondering who could ever live there, they were so lucky. DH has a very good job & we were smart with our money, and look what it got us. Save save save now & your dreams will come true too! I'm living proof that it can be done! I grew up on a farm with little money, so I'm truly grateful for the things I have & I appreciate them, and take care of them. Now if I could just figure out how to re-seal that darn granite...

By the way your son is ADORABLE!! Ok let me find those pics....

 

[TaraPA]

We have white cabinets as well. We just upgraded to granite. My husband likes the granite that is more uniform, absolute black to be exact. I like more movement and not so uniform. We compromised by doing absolute black on the perimeter cabinets and New Venetian Gold on the island. We LOVE it. The new venetian gold has a little black, dark dark burgundy, tanish/goldish color and some white and cream. Definitely go to a place where you can pick out your slab. As other posters have mentioned, they can be the same exact name and look like two completely different granites.

I have to agree with everyone else, Tara, your house is gorgeous!

New Venetian Gold is GORGEOUS!!! I have that in my master bath. I love love love the flecks of plum/burgundy in it. Post some kitchen pics of that with the absolute black, wow I bet that makes a statement. I had actually wanted New Venetian Gold for my kitchen, I had seen it in a model house when we started to build, and fell in love with it. But when I got the samples next to my buttercream cabinets something was just off. So upstairs it went, with my dark bathroom cabinets! Let me dig out a pic...see if it's close to yours...post yours too please!

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks for the pictures. Your house is beautiful. Do you mind if I ask sq. ft, bed/bath and living areas?

I live on the CB but came over here after really realizing that i need to stop talking about our budget and actually live it so that we can get there. Otherwise the money will keep going out the door on things that don't matter.

Thanks for the compliment on my DS.

 

[Elvis33]

I too, took months to pick my granite. Off white cabs, wood floor, almond appliances. I chose Juperana Casablanca. Get soooo many compliments on it. Really warms the kitchen. I've had it 2 years. Only clean it with a moist micro fiber cloth and then polish it with a dry one. Have never resealed it- it looks great. The Juperana Casablanca hides so much. Solids tend to show every speck of dust and crumb. My only complaint is that this time of year it feels cold, especially in the morning when I'm eating at the breakfast bar.

 

[Soulsearching]

I couldn't see the pic either. I'll look for that whole granite cleaning kit next time I'm at Lowes, then I've got the sealer right away too. Thanks for the info Buzz. We got our granite from a granite distributor, and they left the Marba Mist here when they installed it. I'm sure they sell it but it's not conveniently located for me to just run over for a bottle.


Soulsearching - make any decisions?

Tara: Your house is beautiful!!!!

About the granite, it's going to take time. DH is a slow mover, I just planted the seed for this year, hopefully he will come around next year. Life is flying us by, he wonders if we will even be here in a couple of years. My children are much older then yours, I will be paying for two colleges in September. Yikes!!! I feel alone now, I can't imagine what September will bring, anyway I'm in my forties and have been home since I'm 26. I need to start a new path for myself, but hey that's a whole other topic.

 

[stars75238]

Would you mind posting more pictures of the master bath - you have amazing taste!

I'm getting ready to remodel our bath and have had such a time finding granite that I love with dark brown cabinets. The other things I am sold on are oil rubbed bronze fixtures and a similar tile to your tub around our tub and in the shower!

It is absolutely stunning!

 

[hogue123]

New Venetian Gold is GORGEOUS!!! I have that in my master bath. I love love love the flecks of plum/burgundy in it. Post some kitchen pics of that with the absolute black, wow I bet that makes a statement. I had actually wanted New Venetian Gold for my kitchen, I had seen it in a model house when we started to build, and fell in love with it. But when I got the samples next to my buttercream cabinets something was just off. So upstairs it went, with my dark bathroom cabinets! Let me dig out a pic...see if it's close to yours...post yours too please!


I will take some pictures of the kitchen. I have to get the kids off to school first.... From the picture, your new venetian gold looks slightly different than mine. Your bathroom is gorgeous too! Wow. What a dream home. Congratulations on the house. You did a wonderful job decorating and picking out your colors.

 

[TaraPA]

Hogue - we just got the standard New Venetian Gold granite - they had upgraded versions for more $$ but I didn't want to spend more for a bathroom. Maybe yours is the upgraded one if it looks different. Can't wait to see your pics.

SoulSearching - I think I hijacked your thread into the "pictures of Tara's house" thread! Sorry! Thank you though to everyone who asked to see pics & for the compliments. I took forever to pick colors & materials, but it was fun. Hopefully others will post their granite pics too, to give you some more ideas. Or to confuse you ever further! So you'll have empty nest syndrome in the fall? So you'll be on here too, just like me, begging strangers to come over - like I was the other day? Maybe then you'll want to make the trek to PA for some coffee & some Disney talk! I could call it a house tour - but really I just want the company - and to get my Disney pics organized. The offer still stands...

Ok someone wanted more master bath pics...gotta say it's one of my favorite rooms we did in the whole house. I have to go pick up the wet towels & yesterday's clothing before I can take pics! Will post later...

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks for the pictures. Your house is beautiful. Do you mind if I ask sq. ft, bed/bath and living areas?

I live on the CB but came over here after really realizing that i need to stop talking about our budget and actually live it so that we can get there. Otherwise the money will keep going out the door on things that don't matter.

Thanks for the compliment on my DS.

I'm on the CB a lot too. I usually jump between that & Budget Board. House is 4400 sq feet with 4BR, 4BA & 2 offices. Basement is another 2000 sq feet but it's not finished.

Will post master bath pics for OP this afternoon, I'm off to work for a little bit. Unless the cable or power go out - it's WINDY over here!

 

[Soulsearching]

Hogue - we just got the standard New Venetian Gold granite - they had upgraded versions for more $$ but I didn't want to spend more for a bathroom. Maybe yours is the upgraded one if it looks different. Can't wait to see your pics.

SoulSearching - I think I hijacked your thread into the "pictures of Tara's house" thread! Sorry! Thank you though to everyone who asked to see pics & for the compliments. I took forever to pick colors & materials, but it was fun. Hopefully others will post their granite pics too, to give you some more ideas. Or to confuse you ever further! So you'll have empty nest syndrome in the fall? So you'll be on here too, just like me, begging strangers to come over - like I was the other day? Maybe then you'll want to make the trek to PA for some coffee & some Disney talk! I could call it a house tour - but really I just want the company - and to get my Disney pics organized. The offer still stands...

Ok someone wanted more master bath pics...gotta say it's one of my favorite rooms we did in the whole house. I have to go pick up the wet towels & yesterday's clothing before I can take pics! Will post later...

Hi Tara:

By all means high jack the thread. I'm loving it and your right maybe in September I'll take the hike and come for coffee!

Post away, can't wait to see more pics!!!!

 

[hogue123]

Ok. Straightened up a bit and took some kitchen pics. The two different granites in the kitchen may not appeal to everyone, but it's mine and DH way of a compromise. He loved the looks of the sleek absolute black but I just knew with him and the three boys that it would look terrible and full of hand prints all the time. Since we use the island all the time, I wanted something that would hide that better. The New Venetian Gold hides it all. You will be able to see by the back of the island that it doesn't match the rest of the kitchen. We are having that trimmed out in wood this weekend. I am not sure if I am going to paint it white or the wall color. Any thoughts on what I should do???

I hope this isn't too many pictures......

Here is a close up of the New Venetian Gold granite on the island....

Here's the Absolute Black. My husband loves the way it looks with the appliances and cabinets.

Here's the island...

I repainted a dining set. This use to be a white and wood table/chairs. I just painted black over the white. Totally changed the look of it. I am happy. Only cost me about $10 to do verses $800-$1000 for another set in black....

 

[stars75238]

That is one Beautiful Kitchen - love the two granite colors and awesome job on painting the table and chairs!!!

Great taste!!!

 

[hogue123]

That is one Beautiful Kitchen - love the two granite colors and awesome job on painting the table and chairs!!!

Great taste!!!

Thank you!

 

[TaraPA]

LOVE the 2 colors of granite. My other pic must have been bad because your New Venetian Gold looks exactly like my master bath New Venetian Gold! Your wall color is very similar to my breakfast room & DR. Love it! Will post master bath pics for OP after dinner...

 

[hogue123]

LOVE the 2 colors of granite. My other pic must have been bad because your New Venetian Gold looks exactly like my master bath New Venetian Gold! Your wall color is very similar to my breakfast room & DR. Love it! Will post master bath pics for OP after dinner...

I am looking forward to seeing more pics of your gorgeous house!

The New Venetian Gold does look similar. For some reason when I saw your picture of your granite top in your bathroom, it looked lighter than mine. It may be the picture or the computer. Yours looked more white/cream colored that comes out rather than tan/gold color. I think that you have to see the granite in person to really appreciate the beauty. Pictures just do not do it justice.