Granite & Quartz Combo

Design Challenges

Golden cabinets required a more complimentary colour scheme
Old laminate counters in grey and white tones and grey-mauve on the walls were fighting with the cabinetry
A pillar in the middle of the counter is necessary as a structural support
Clients had a large counter surface and while they really liked the look of granite they wanted something more subtle for the U-shaped surface

Design Choices

Chalk white walls, soft blue-white glass tiles and sandy tones mixed with brown and blue-grey in the granite help to mellow the yellow cabinets
The soft neutral tone of the quartz counter top blends with the pillar, instead of accenting it
Adding one surface of granite defines the dining area and creates a dramatic statement in stone

Ray and Connie did an extensive remodel of their kitchen in 2001 which included knocking out walls, cutting in a new patio door to a raised deck, and installing a skylight over the main workspace.

“We often regretted putting in laminate counters and always dreamed of a stone surface.” The maple cabinets they chose were blonde at the time, but the cabinet-maker used a varnish that has yellowed with age. “Our colours were blonde wood, silver and a light mauve-grey. But as time went on the kitchen was looking more purple and gold.” Connie would have painted the cabinets but Ray insisted on retaining the natural wood grain.

The couple decided against a backsplash at the time of their original remodel, thinking that the day would come when they would install granite or quartz and would pick the perfect tile then, and that’s what they did. The Hanstone® Quartz counter in Sand Dune™ is paired with a glass tile backsplash in a soft blue-white to mimic the look of beach glass.

The Fantasy Brown Granite lunch bar has a waterfall edge to the quartz counter below, creating a dramatic change in elevation and a gorgeous accent.The eased edges of the counter create a smooth, contemporary look.

“The design experts at Progressive Countertop helped us to work with the unique challenges of our kitchen, and to personalize our space,” Connie writes. “We are thrilled with the final design – it is modern and warm.”