Help me pick a countertop for my kitchen!

[ThreeofUs]

Okay, our tile kitchen counter is officially a wreck. We need a new one or both DH and I are going to commit an atrocity. Like taking the whole thing out and putting down plywood.

See all the red tile? I need to replace it around my cooktop, under all the upper cabinets, and on the counter. I have 63 sf on the counter, about 19 sf for backsplashes, in the kitchen and butler's pantry.

Help me think about how I should design this. The paint on the walls is Navajo White and the ceiling is Alabaster, and the cabinets and floor are both maple. We needed everything to be light because the red tile is so dark.

What color would you go for on the countertop/backsplash? I'm willing to consider granite, and engineered quartz surfaces.

I need some color - maybe an olive green shade? maybe stay with the red tint? And what should I do around the cooktop?

Here's the cooktop:

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/Ivy3070/IMG_5058.jpg?t=1304197911


Here's another shot (it's a mess, sorry)

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/Ivy3070/IMG_5057.jpg?t=1304198116

[elbenn]

Oh, fun! I love mosaic backsplashes like these:

http://www.susanjablonmosaics.com/glass-tile/anima-kitchen-backsplash.html

http://www.glasstilestore.com/project-gallery/kitchen-picture-gallery.html

[ThreeofUs]

Forgot to say, the kitchen is about 100 years old, and on outside walls that can't be insulated. So tile, as much as I love it too, is out. Too much thermal expansion/contraction.

[zag95]

I'd look at Silestone or a solid surface. I would have to be in your kitchen- but I'd be inclined to go with something that has a small pattern, so you can't see fingerprints (if that's possible :)

Since you mentioned tile is out for the backsplash- what about colored glass? Or tin, which could have an old fashioned look (on the link attached there is a beautiful cream colored tin, that would look pretty around your range!)??

Here are some options

http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/kitchen-backsplash-beauties/pictures/index.html

[Clarity]

I really like the tin backsplashes that are popular right now and it adds more character to an old house. When we were house shopping last fall one of our area's historic homes (1840s) was for sale and they had redone some of the kitchen in tin. It was very attractive.
http://www.americantinceilings.com/backsplash.html
or copper:
http://www.copperbacksplash.net/?gclid=CKrpvYDXxagCFUcQNAodaXPBqw

[ThreeofUs]

Cool links - thank you so much!

[tiapam]

Will they be putting all new drywall on the backsplashes after the tile is removed? You could leave some of it just drywalled and painted if you don't want to put a lot of money into it. Maybe do a smaller backsplash, say 4-6 inches high. I like the idea of something metallic around the cooktop but I would pick something easy to clean.

[ThreeofUs]

I like the idea of something metallic around the cooktop but I would pick something easy to clean.


See, this is exactly my problem. I want something that won't catch oil or food particles too much, and that I can clean easily when this happens.

I was thinking sheets of stainless, or just having them take the countertop up the cooktop alcove.

[AnnieW625]

I like the idea of something metallic around the cooktop but I would pick something easy to clean.


See, this is exactly my problem. I want something that won't catch oil or food particles too much, and that I can clean easily when this happens.

I was thinking sheets of stainless, or just having them take the countertop up the cooktop alcove.

Look at Corian for the counter tops, and I think that sheets of stainless would like nice as backsplash.

I know you also said no to tile because of the age of your house, but what about small glass tiles?

I'd start looking in magazines or blogs on renovated houses built in the same time as yours was too for inspiration.

[KLD313]

I think stainless would be a good choice.