Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Silestone Zen Series Countertop

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Today Natasa writes:

I am having a very hard time deciding between different countertop colors. Part of my problem is that I have new Gloss Bird’s Eye Thermophoil (European style) kitchen cabinets. My floor is Brazilian Cherry. Since the cabinets are glossy and have a subtle pattern I would like to go with solid colors, like the ones offered by Silestone. I am particularly attracted to Silestone Zen series countertop. Could you please give some advice?

Personally speaking, I’m a big fan of Silestone and quartz countertops. The solid color will help you highlight your beautiful new cabinets, without competing for attention. Your own personal design style, how contemporary you want to go, and how much light you have in the room are all important factors in deciding between different countertop colors.

For example, what is your own personal design style? Because you choose Silestone’s Zen series countertop and not the “Life series”, I’m going to assume that bright colors are not part of your design style for the kitchen? Well at least not where the countertop is concerned. I’m also going to guess that you do want your kitchen to have a little bit of drama because of the Brazilian cherry floors. I don’t mean drama in a bad way, I just mean that you want your choices to have a little bit of an impact or “wow factor”, if you will. That and you like the wood styles you chose because of the interesting grain patterns and because they weren’t your typical oak or boring kitchen.

Silestone Zen Series CountertopHow contemporary are you? Are you going for a light and open contemporary feel? If you are, consider using Haiku or White Zeus as your Silestone Zen series countertop color. Using a white or light color countertop is very contemporary. It also gives the room a light and airy feeling. Especially if there is a lot of natural light in the space. If are not looking for the light an airy look, are you looking for more color? Or maybe something darker and more dramatic like Tao? All of the colors in the Zen series will fit into a modern kitchen, it just depends on which direction you want to go in. Depending on the exact of color of your Gloss Bird’s Eye cabinets and cherry hardwood flooring one of the reds might go nicely as well.

Usually my standard bit of advice for people who aren’t sure what color countertops to go with is to choose a color that is in between the color of your countertops and flooring. This way your countertops help bridge the gap between your flooring and give the room a good visual flow. However this rule does not always apply, it just depends on your own personal style.

You’ve done a great job so far choosing items for your kitchen, and the Zen Series by Solistone will be a wonderful addition, no matter color you go with. Just remember the tips above and you will make a great decision.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Most Popular Caesarstone Colors

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So what are the most popular Caesarstone colors out there? After all, you want to make sure that your quartz surface is going to be stylish for at least a few years to come, right? Well the fact is that most of the time it’s going to depend on where the Caesarstone quartz surface is going to end up. For bathrooms, you may find that colors like “blizzard” or a soft white are what will do best in that area of the house. Yet with a kitchen, it’s a completely different story altogether.

Texture vs color

More often than not, the question may be less about finding the idea color and more about finding a texture or pattern that isn’t too “busy” in appearance. Generally speaking if you’re unsure as to which color and pattern to go with, I recommend starting off with some samples going forward. One common approach is to begin with light colors/mild pattern then work your way dark/busier from there.

Taking this train of thought further, you might begin with the light-colored samples using the pattern color matching your cabinets wood tone a bit. So a light-colored quartz surface with cabinet matching specks on the countertop might make for an interesting sample to begin with. For those also working in a backsplash as well, you may try for multiple speck colors with the light color sample.

Going with a completely different pattern, you might also get additional samples with the darker color at the forefront and the lighter colors in the quartz specks. Again, more contrasting samples can help here. But generally there is no wrong or right way to do this, you simply need to find a series of varying styles/colors/patterns and see how they flow with your kitchen design. Sometimes showrooms can be helpful here.

Most Popular Caesarstone ColorsUse a showroom to your advantage

Despite this sounding a bit messed up, you can indeed goto a show room that has the material you’re looking for, match up cabinet samples, quartz countertop samples and flooring samples, even if you’re going to be buying those brands elsewhere. Clearly this works if these brands are duplicatable online or in another store somewhere else. And yes, if at all possible, stick it to the big box store and shop local. Seriously, the mom and pop stores need our support.

So by taking the above showroom approach, you can take notes and pictures as to the style/color/theme options that are going to work best. That way if you have to duplicate your Caesarstone colors from another vendor, you already know what you’re looking for without as much hesitation.

Maybe you want to try something completely different

For some of you, all of this comparing and matching might feel a little overwhelming. If you’re finding yourself in this position, then you might find it worthwhile to check out this article on choosing solid surface countertops. It will provide you with a run down on alternatives to quartz countertops and the advantages to each option.

Alternatives To Granite Countertops

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Today Sally writes:

Dear Diva, I really want a solid surface countertop but I hate granite. I want something more unique in my kitchen, something that I won’t find in my friends houses.  What are the alternatives to granite countertops? Please help!

Granite has definitely become the standard that all kitchens strive for.  So I do understand wanting something a little different, especially if your friends have granite in their homes. Regionally some colors are more popular than others. Which means you may see the same color in more than one friends home.  In this article I will highlight three unique solid surface countertops as an alternative to granite.

Alternatives To Granite Countertops

#1 If you’ve got extra money to put into your countertops, consider Caesarstone Concetto.  Concetto is available in eight colors with eleven more available to special order. Concetto is handmade and consists of semi-precious stones.  Each slab is unique and stain, scratch and heat-resistant.  Because Concetto is a luxury countertop surface and made of semi-precious stones, expect to pay around $400 per square foot.

#2 Why not go green?  Consider a recycled material solid surface countertop.  Companies like Vetrazzo offer a beautiful countertop with the benefit of being eco friendly.  Vetrazzo  countertops are made up of recycled glass. In fact, their countertops make up 85% of the solid countertop material.  At $90 – $140 a square foot, it’s comparable to granite in price with the added benefits of being eco friendly and unique.

#3 Consider soapstone countertops.  Soapstone is not for everyone, it does require more maintenance than granite or engineered stone.  You will need to reapply an oil mineral to bring back the dark rich color.  Soapstone is also softer than granite and will scratch or dent.  For people who love soapstone though, these marks only enhance the beauty.  As well as the patina the soapstone gets with age.  Soapstone countertops start out gray and start looking more black or dark green with time.  If you are interested in soapstone you should look at a countertop that has been in use for a few years before making your final decision.  Soapstone countertops are also similar to granite in price ranging from $70-$100 a square foot.

These are just three of the many options out there for slab countertops.  Depending on what look you are going for, or whether you want something eco friendly there are many more options available. You simply need to shop around and be willing to ask about the products your considering.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!