Countertop dilemma :(

5 years ago

We’ve picked Cambria Brittanica for our island and are looking for a grey countertop for the perimeter that would complement the Brittanica. We were suggested to go with Caeserstone Concrete but am a little apprehensive as it is on the darker side.
The cabinets on the perimeter are gonna be white and those on the island are a light grey.

The darker quartz is concrete and the lighter one is sleek concrete. We like the sleek concrete but it is matte finish and imo may be more difficult maintain.
Can you suggest a grey quartz that would complement our island please..
Thanks is advance

Featured Answer

kidshop

5 years ago

I like the lighter grey. I love the look you are going for, I just did it myself. It is definitely not too busy.

It really showcases the island as something special!

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Comments (43)

Kathryn P
5 years ago
Young House Love used Brittanica on their island. Here's a link to their kitchen reveal. A ways down they share what they paired it with. https://www.younghouselove.com/bright-white-kitchen-remodel/

Caesarstone Concrete looked dark to me too. We ended up using Clamshell, as it had a concrete like look, but a much lighter grey. Maybe see how that pairs with Brittanica.
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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
5 years ago
Too much going on. Either two cabinet colors and one countertop, or two countertops and one cabinet. Otherwise, it will be too busy and unconnected.

Use the Brittanica for all of the countertops.
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Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
5 years ago
Dont use concrete.
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MOSCONE MARBLE & GRANITE
5 years ago
I really like the idea of the back perimeter countertops a solid grey, this would give the Cambria island a focal point of design presence. I would look into Caesarstone Stone Grey or Cement. I think maybe Concrete would be too dark. This is my opinion > in the end take the samples home and view for yourself how you find these colors. sincerely, Nina
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Rozelle Stone Company
5 years ago
Cambria "Carrick" goes very well with Brittanica.
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Cambria
5 years ago
Visa, Cambria
Carrick, Clareanne and Queen Anne designs are great alternatives to concrete.
Greystone from Cambria's Desert Collection is a gray that also pairs well with
Brittanicca with less movement. All are also available in the Matte finish to
give a similar low-sheen look to concrete. You can learn more
about our Matte finish and our Clareanne design here: https://refineanddefine.cambriausa.com/cambria-matte-countertops-midcentury-modern-kitchen-remodel/
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ZIEGLER LUMBER CO
5 years ago
I think you should either do one color for all cabinets and two countertops or one countertop and two cabinet colors. that will be too much going on in one room. there won't be a focal point for you eye to go to . it will be a wash
RaiKai
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think if you are doing different coloured counters (or different coloured cabinets) it is important to unify them with a common element: different counters, same cabinets OR different cabinets, same counters. So I vote you use the same counter you are using for the island on the perimeter cabinets.
RaiKai
5 years ago
@Catt Combs - OP is talking about using quartz called “Concrete”, not concrete ;)
Sarla Patel
5 years ago
I have the same counter tops in my kitchen. The perimeter and the island have the same counter top and different cabinet. Everytime I have someone new come into the house. I get a compliment on the counter tops.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
I like that combo from the Younglove house
ahavajava
5 years ago
Take a look at Caesarstone Clamshell.
marjie1059
5 years ago
I would be concerned that two different colors for cabinets and two different colors for countertops would be too much--as some have already said. Think about how much space you have to work with; how you plan to "accessorize" your kitchen (I like my cosmic gold counters to be empty of things so I can see the gorgeous counter--no coffeepot, toaster, etc.); how your kitchen space is broken up by windows/doors; how the cabinet choice breaks up or unifies the wall space, and so forth. One photo of a possible counter isn't a whole lot to go on here.
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Aqua Kitchen and Bath Design Center
5 years ago
Caesarstone concrete options are a bit more complicated for maintenance so I would stay clear if you are not ready for it. Smooth concrete matte finish doesn't disguise marks as easily which means more regular cleaning may be required.
lisa_a
5 years ago
I support your decision to go with two cab finishes and two counter top choices, provided your kitchen is at least average sized (150 sq feet).

I did that in my kitchen and love it! It got the stamp of approval from my ID and my KD (actually a CMKBD so many years of experience). Our fabricator uses a video of our kitchen to show others how to make 2 counter choices work. We also get lots of compliments. The trick, IME, is to stick with quiet choices for the rest of your finishes, including your backsplash tile and to make sure that your choices "speak" to one another to create flow.

My point is that mixing it up can be done and done well. Your choices are shades of white and gray so I think it will look very nice. Good luck to you!
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Stephanie McDowell - Designer, Kenwood Kitchens
5 years ago
What about Silestone Desert Silver or Serena? (in the eternal collection)
Visa Puvvada
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you so much for all your suggestions!!!
Truly appreciate it.
We have a whole lot of suggestions to work from now and our builder is arranging for us to meet with their fabricator to help us make the best choice.
Sibylle
5 years ago
How about Silestone Kensho?
Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
5 years ago
Yes i understand its a quartz called concrete. But if the finish is their "concrete" style as well. I would not recommend using it.
Cheryl Hannebauer
5 years ago
Following...
PRO
Courtney Thomas Design
5 years ago
We agree with Sina. Either do two cabinet colors and one countertop, or do one cabinet color and two countertops. It will be way too much going on if you do it the other way.
Upscale Family Home: Kitchen · More Info

Upscale Family Home: Kitchen · More Info
ajt5
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@kidshop, what are your perimeter countertops? They are lovely and similar to the look I'm searching for.
sprtphntc7a
5 years ago
i agree with others, one cab color-2 counters or 2 cab colors-1 counter. although all your choices are cohesive, its just too many, your eye needs to rest somewhere. let your island choice be the star. cabs secondary. don't forget to figure in a b/s.

if u go the route of 2 choices for each, cabs & counter, b/s will have to simple. should not have another star/busy option.
Suzanne Wright
5 years ago
What did you decide on?
Visa Puvvada
Original Author
5 years ago
Suzanne, we went with

Island - Dusk cabinets and Skara Brae countertop
Perimeter - White cabinets and Fossil grey countertop.
For the backsplash - white beveled subway tile.
I realized I dint take any pics after they finished our kitchen. We are closing early next week. Will post a couple soon!
Andrea Cozza
5 years ago
Visa- do you have any pictures you could share? I'm thinking of doing two cabinet colors and two countertops as well.
Visa Puvvada
Original Author
5 years ago
Agozza
ccwatters
5 years ago
Looks amazing ! Love your floor color, island cabinet color, backsplash behind range and lights! Stunning choices!
Andrea Cozza
5 years ago
Beautiful!! Thanks. :)
Toni S
4 years ago
Love it! Beautiful!
felizlady
4 years ago
If your island is smaller than a full slab of Cambrian Brittanica, go ahead. You don’t want to risk a bad seam.
I prefer the lighter gray for the perimeter counters.
juliacali
4 years ago
@MOSCONE MARBLE & GRANITE I need help with a Benjamin Moore White Cabinet color to go with Cambria Britannica (gray vein / marble series) for the island. Cambria's website says Paper White, but I read from the forum that Decorator White, White Dove, or Chantilly Lace are good options. Please help.
Andrea Cozza
4 years ago
gtp123- We used Britannica on the island and our peremiter cabinets are SW Alabaster. I realize our Britannica isn't right up against the white, but I feel they go really well together. I think that Alabaster is very similar to BM White Dove. Good luck!
Jennifer Svensson
4 years ago
Gtp123 We sampled SW Snowbound for our walls and it looked very nice with the Britannicca countertop (at least in our light).
juliacali
4 years ago
@Jennifer Svensson What is the paint color of the island cabinet you used. It's a beautiful blue.
Sue
4 years ago
We used SW Snowbound also.
juliacali
4 years ago
@Andrea Cozza I meant to ask Andrea. What is the paint color of the island cabinet you used. It's a beautiful blue.
Andrea Cozza
4 years ago
Thanks! It's a Kraftmaid cabinet color- Midnight Blue
Jenny C
3 years ago
@Andrea Cozza what is the perimeter stone that you used to go with your Brittanicca island?

Also, I love that you did bold blue island cabinets too, love that color! We're thinking of a dark grey for ours, but are undecided.
Andrea Cozza
3 years ago
Jenny C- Its Cambria's Clareann. I wanted a solid grey quartz but didn't find any in a shade I loved. We're happy with the outcome though! Love dark grey too!
Jen Pfifferling
3 years ago
We are doing dark navy island and lowers and all white uppers/refrigerator surround. Also a separate pantry/coffee bar area on other end of kitchen entirely blue. Husband wants to do more bold island (like Britannica or Portrush) also with plain perimeter, but I think we will have much to much going on with the cabinet colors. If just the island cabs were different I’d go for the two with less hesitation.
RedRyder
3 years ago
Your kitchen is lovely. You made good decisions.