Colored stone and tile is the modern version of the retro colored Formica countertops from the 1960's. In the words of Jonathan Adler, "Color is the most accessible over-the-counter mood-altering substance I can think of. Overdose on color."
Here are a few things to think about when selecting a colored countertop:
- Keep appliances and cabinetry neutral as a backdrop for the bright countertop.
- Make sure it is a color that you and everyone that you live with love.
- Avoid a major pattern and stick to a solid color for the stone and tile.
Shown Above:
1. The laundry room is a safe place to put a bright pop of color. From Claire Bock.
2. Turquoise countertops bring out the best in this tiny guest house kitchen from Kathleen Hay Design.
3. A kitchen filled with lime green glass tiles and apple green Caesarstone from Elle Décor.
4. Hot pink counters are offset by traditional wood cabinetry in a kitchen from Bungalow.
5. Red is a classic color that can go modern or traditional. Image from Silestone.
(Images: as credited above)
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I love this, but it needs to be in moderation and in the style of the home. A loft in Manhattan? Great. A Victorian? Not really. And moderation, moderation, moderation. Countertops shouldn't be painful to look at.
The red counter is scrumptious! But the CPU ter chairs are entirely too tall. No room for legs to fit under the counter...which is a pet peeve of mine.
I have been looking high and low for comfortable, attractive counter chairs that swivel and are the correct height. Hard to find.
so fresh! might use this idea when we renovate our bathroom.
The white and sky blue...wow.
Does anyone know where to find the "1", "2" and "3" laundry baskets above? My plastic ones are broken and I'd like to replace them with something non-plastic, but am having some trouble figuring out ideas. Thanks!
I think these counters are great...IF you have the money to switch them out in a few years when you become tired of them. For most of us, it's a lot easier (and financially-practical) to stick with a neutral countertop and paint a bold color on the wall, switch out accessories, etc, etc. But in the Land of Moneytrees, this would be great!
See, I love that green color in 1 & 3, and I've had an idea of having an island with that green top-white cabinet combo for a while - but just the island. Kind of the opposite of image 3. Then have the rest of the counters a more neutral color with a backsplash that somehow ties all the colors together. I drool over the "apple martini" quartz display counter they have on display at my local Ikea every time I pop by.
I'm looking for stainless shelves like the ones in the first photo--but I don't need uber-expensive John Boos ones. Any suggestions on where to find?
I loved them, too and did a quick Google search. Found them: http://knicproc.info/aidan-gray-decor-wire-number-basket-set-with-linen.htm ... though they are sadly way out of my price range!
We did this, actually! Our kitchen (modelled eight years ago, still gorgeous, going to miss it when we move in five-odd weeks!) has sapphire blue Caesarstone countertops, working with the white backsplash and cabinets, blue and white tile trim, and yellow walls. Pretty much everyone who's seen it has liked it, and I sincerely hope the new owners do too.
Bold colours can seriously MAKE a room.
I love these colors, and I wonder if the more brightly colored countertop materials might be less expensive due to the preference for neutral materials.
For shelves try a restaurant supply shop. We were in one a few weeks ago and they had steel or aluminum wall mounted shelves in several sizes. The five foot long shelf in steel was less than $100.
I am installing a "Deep ocean" cesarstone countertop with 3x6 stainless steel backsplash and white subway tile for the surround and all I see is white, white, white for cabinets. I'm going with Mahogany!
I have to second the responses of people who have noted that the novelty would wear off over time. It does. It seriously does.
I "inherited" a royal blue veneer kitchen counter top when we bought our apartment 5 years ago. I hate it. Perhaps because it was not something I chose, and perhaps because it was yet one more element in a garish and not particularly well-executed 80's kitchen makeover, but all the same: I look at it every day and I hate it.
It goes without saying that you should make sure whatever material you choose is hardy and stain-resistant. Our blue veneers have been scratch-resistant so far, but seem to stain easily, which only deepens my resentment of them. I'm really hoping 2013 is the year we can begin a long-overdue kitchen reno. And it will NOT involve bold colored countertops.
Love the pop of color in the laundry room, but the pink and red kitchen counters are definitely novelty items. Counters are a major expense, and unlike paint, they can't be swapped out for a few bucks on a weekend. Still, I admire anyone who is willing to make such a bold statement.
The red one looks like a 3d render, im not into it, but i loooove the magenta and wood one!
Hallelujah NO granite or mock granite lovely looks
Don't do metal it will rust. Unlike many look alike brands the Rubbermaid laundry baskets very rarely fall apart. Was yours a Rubbermaid or a knock off? Support companies that make quality goods not knock offs.