Kitchen Counter & Backsplash Recommendations please
My husband and I bought an old farmhouse 13 years ago and have done a lot to it, but have yet to tackle the cosmetics of the kitchen. We took a wall out between the kitchen and the dining room (now turned living room) shortly after we moved in, removed wall paper and painted, added tile look laminate floors, and updated the light fixtures. We brought my almond bottom freezer fridge with me from our previous place and eventually added the stove and dishwasher in almond to match the fridge.
I believe the kitchen was last updated in the 80's by the look of the cabinets, the wallpaper and lights that I removed, the current brick backsplash, and the countertops. The part that is removed behind the stove was a plastic panel covered in floral wallpaper... Who knows?!?
We are leaving the current oak cabinets because there is enough old oak trim in the house, as well as a little flooring, that we feel it will take away from the overall look of the home if we remove or paint it. We looked at newer ones but they are all made so much more cheaply now that I'm not sure I'm interested in spending the money on them.
We are however, adding a drink station finished in espresso to another wall of the kitchen, and the same finish to the back of the island (also extending the island for a trash can.. Yeah!)... Can't stand that paneling any longer! We looked for cabinets to match our existing and were unable to find them so we are going with different and contrast. So expresso panels will go on the back of the island, and the drink station will be mission style cabinets in espresso.
We are thinking about doing either diy concrete counter tops (I must mention that we are handy diy'ers that have done several property renovations and 2 home flips, so we are not new to projects- and I have already done loads of research).. or laminate countertops. In our area, I think granite, marble, etc, may be overkill as our market doesn't ask for that and I would rather spend my money on other projects (like new carriage style garage doors for starters). Our island is quite large as well, and I'm expecting a solid surface would be pricey.
If we do concrete, I want to be very careful about not adding any too much red in regards to stain... that's where I'm finding the hardest time about concrete, is with coloring. I'm so used to laminate, although I hate the style I currently have, I'm not sure about having a cold countertop but I'm intrigued by the project idea and the chance to do something custom. Part of me says laminate would just be so much easier though.
As far as the backsplash goes, you can see the metal tile leaning up to the right of the stove. That is currently what we are considering. We thought it would be an easy fix for now to help bring in a more modern element, stainless, that is easy to change if/when we get new appliances. If one of the major appliances goes, we will likely upgrade to stainless or black (see my sore thumb of a microwave.. egads). Anyway, then we will re- address the backsplash idea. We will be installing under cabinet lighting when we tackle the backsplash.
Another thing I have always wanted is a farmhouse/apron sink. I have only found two drop in's that would work in the event that we do laminate counters.. Kohler in stainless but it is very modern in lines, and Ikea has one that is white but not sure how that would go with my current appliances.
Colors I've considered in laminate countertops are Formica 180fx in Antique Mascarello, Lapidus Brown, Carrera Pearl or regular in Butterrum Granite for the island and drink station, and something darker on the outer cabinets like Basalt Slate, or something with little pattern but darker than the island counter.
The lighting is not good today as it has been raining for the majority of the day. Usually my kitchen is full of light until evening from all of the window to the east. I will likely be painting the kitchen as well... something neutral and probably light to counteract some of the dark that will be added.
Thanks for any input you have :)
lam702
Gracie
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