skip to main content

Benchtop and splash back advice

9 years ago

Our kitchen is installed and we need to finalise benchtop and splash back. It's a white shaker style kitchen. Now it's in it seems quite stark and we want to add warmth. Originally we planned a dark stone top but now we aren't so sure. Any advice welcomed. The floors are Tasmanian oak.

Featured Answer

nicolegaha

9 years ago

a spanish tile or marble would look gorgeous and will remain with the vintage feel. silo stone has some beautiful selections with artificial marble that you can carry all the way through from bench to back splash. Or you can do the back island in a solid white with the splash back the same at the island at the front.

It has a heritage feel, subways kinda feel overused at the moment. It looks stunning

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

oklouise
9 years ago
love the style and colour of cabinet and benchtop but looks desperate for some overhead lighting...suggest you try a new solar skylight and some downlights and pendants before you committ to any other colour or pattern
bigreader
9 years ago
Is that a brekkie nook I spy next to the kitchen? I'm jealous.
Related Discussions
Splash back advice!
Q
Comments (23)
Kitchen looks great, is that Smartstone Statuario Venato on the island? We have worked with mirror alot if you have something worth reflecting back into the kitchen. Otherwise we love glass splashbacks. Perhaps white to colour match cabinets. Subway tiles are popular but it does set a certain tone. Smartstone have a huge gallery online so you can see what others have done with the same tops. My client has used a mixed marble on her splashback. My other client using the same stone has done the simple white subway. Great job!
...See More
Benchtop and splash back renovation ideas
Q
Comments (9)
You could paint the doors white to make them feel more contemporary. They would be solid timber so would be good quality. The varnish on the wood tends to yellow over time. So if you wanted to keep the wood - you could strip back and revarnish in natural colour or even go darker, such as chocolate for a more dramatic effect. I would recommend repalcing the tiles with a subway tile which is really popular at the moment. Then choose a stone to suit. Here is a great grey subway we have used although here are some examples of the subway tiles we have been using. A lovely mottled grey in the bathroom and white for the kitchen looks great. So dark timber stained cupboards with a white tile or grey and then a white Caesarstone with a fleck through it or even the new look grey marble effect ones would look great. Good luck.
...See More
Ceasarstone or glass splash back?
Q
Comments (5)
The gloss Ceaserstones are durable, workable kitchen surfaces, but like any kitchen benchtop they are not indestructable, and still need to be cleaned. Usually a quick daily wipe down with a damp cloth is enough, but don't let spilt red wine sit around too long as it will stain. I can't vouch for the Raw Concrete and Cloudburst Concrete as I would not recommend them to a client. They are currently too fashionable and will date. A more classic look is better long term value when you consider that most new kitchens are around for fifteen to twenty years. The plainer the pattern the more obvious it is that it will need cleaning. Benchtops with a stronger pattern, such as Atlantic Salt are better at disguising mess, but still need to be cleaned. It is your money and your kitchen and if you are unhappy with your architect suggesting a product you need to let them know that you want something more practical. It sounds like you have done your research on Raw Concrete and Cloudburst Concrete, and they haven't! If you really want a concrete look benchtop then checkout the GFRC benchtops made by Slab Culture. https://www.slabculture.com.au/ Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls
...See More
Advice needed on how to match a 1990s Ikea benchtop
Q
Comments (7)
Use a strip off the front of the existing benchtop to become the front of the new benchtop with a join. Use two new benchtops to fill in bench around the new sink. With a joining seam at the back behind the sink, unnoticeable. The existing benchtop may need to be sanded and revealed to gain a uniform colour. Fiddly but it is the same principle as used on a stone benchtop to make it look substantial when in fact it is not. Best of luck
...See More
xjyfuithsfgndjt
9 years ago
I think you'll find that once you have the usual stuff on the benchtops and tea towels hanging around it won't look stark, more clean lines instead. Go with you're original thought, it's obviously the style you like. It's easy to second guess yourself when going through the process but unless you have a really sound reason it's probably just doubting yourself.
PRO
CORDONY
9 years ago
For the splash back, you could go for subway tiles which are trending at the moment for a really clean cut look. Also to add warmth with the bench, a timber top would be a nice pairing with your Tasmanian Oak floors.

Keep us posted on the progress!
Windsor Road, Willoughby · More Info

High Street, Willoughby · More Info
girlguides
9 years ago
I'd go light glass splashback to bounce light around as seems a little dark eg grand piano quarter or hog bristle half IF your cabinets are a warm white else a yellow-green or of course white same colour as cabinets
girlguides
9 years ago
And not too dark benchtop for same reason but not wood everywhere as could be too much
philippawright
9 years ago
I think lighting is important in your kitchen especially task lighting.

I like the idea of a subway tile - not a sleek modern one but either a glass version perhaps with subtle colour - blue/ grey or green [ depending on the other colours in your room] or stick to the white but have a vintage finish.

You could use this colour as an accent - I like the idea of some turquoise accessories.

The grout could be a feature - if you do go for the black bench top you could introduce a darker grout. { although I am not a fan of dark bench tops as they never look clean.]

Marble is lovely also if you can afford it - not sure of how well it wears with grease etc - probably ok if polished.

There are plenty of pictures to inspire you in the kitchen tab on the site. Here is one example.

https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/calliope-rd-phvw-vp~7303261
PRO
Plush Design Interiors
9 years ago
Have you considered beautiful, warm, metal splashbacks? They are easy to install, easy to keep clean, and locally available. You could go beautiful gold, warm bronze, oxidised colour, or even some texture. Please check out www.thatmetalcompany.com.au
Bernadette Staal
9 years ago
I have recently seen some really beautiful tiles used on a TV program they are small and rectangular and are like a mirror image with lots of sparkles and different effects but that type of thing will just add some wonderful bling and light to your back splash and really brighten up the place. Also adding strips of LED lighting under your cabinets looks amazing.
PRO
The Interior Difference
9 years ago
Caesarstone 'Shitake' would work beautifully in your scheme and add some more warmth. I don't think you need to worry about the joinery being too stark, you can tell there is a nice warm tone to the white.
With the shitake you could either go with a white splashback and maximize the light within the space, or a darker warm grey if you want a little more impact.
Your original black will still work in the space too, don't forget the timber flooring adds ample warmth to the space already.
Tam Valley · More Info

Sponsored

More Discussions

U shaped kitchen - both long sides the same length?

14

How to get advice about relative cost of different renovation options?

6

Master Bedroom Layout

2

What window curtain style should we use for a period style home?

3

what is the best wall material for a bathroom? Easy to clean?

6