I'm going to need some help with tile and sink choices in my mmh, 'unique' kitchen.

[momofive]

Hi. Jumping in here, having built 3 houses and renovated 1. First of all, I'm not sure you can get an apron front sink as your sink is in the corner. They require some space on each side, Maybe there is enough room, but if not, I love my undermount SS sink.
It took me almost a year of scouring websites and visiting stone yards to find my kitchen countertop. I went with Quartzite and I love it. The fabricator suggested a commercially applied sealer (not cheap) and I went with it and have't had any problems. I didn't go with quartz as I would worry about hot-out of the oven or stovetop pans doing some damage. Granite - you don't have to worry. I used quartz for the bathrooms.
I love the idea of the hammered steel for your kitchen. With your style I think it would be pretty and durable. The hammering would diffuse any scratches.

I would love to see the cabinets painted. Maybe a soft green or white. (I have a white kitchen, which I love, but didn't go pure white as it's too glaring. I also have a stained island). Butcher block would look great with any color cabinet for the island.

As for the backsplash, being you have a smaller kitchen I would say something that reflects the light, but I'm not sure if that works with the style. I wouldn't want to change the quaintness of the room. Maybe a shiny with a crackle in it. I think that may cut down on the shine a bit. If you're keeping the cabinet color I would say go with a light backsplash like a soft white or cream. There are lots of great feature tile that you could use for your oven b/s. If you don't feel the hood is doing anything, what about open shelves above?? As long as they were high enough to avoid catching fire, I've seen that done as well.
I think that's it for my 2 cents.

 

[MamaBee]

Hi. Jumping in here, having built 3 houses and renovated 1. First of all, I'm not sure you can get an apron front sink as your sink is in the corner. They require some space on each side, Maybe there is enough room, but if not, I love my undermount SS sink.
It took me almost a year of scouring websites and visiting stone yards to find my kitchen countertop. I went with Quartzite and I love it. The fabricator suggested a commercially applied sealer (not cheap) and I went with it and have't had any problems. I didn't go with quartz as I would worry about hot-out of the oven or stovetop pans doing some damage. Granite - you don't have to worry. I used quartz for the bathrooms.
I love the idea of the hammered steel for your kitchen. With your style I think it would be pretty and durable. The hammering would diffuse any scratches.

I would love to see the cabinets painted. Maybe a soft green or white. (I have a white kitchen, which I love, but didn't go pure white as it's too glaring. I also have a stained island). Butcher block would look great with any color cabinet for the island.

As for the backsplash, being you have a smaller kitchen I would say something that reflects the light, but I'm not sure if that works with the style. I wouldn't want to change the quaintness of the room. Maybe a shiny with a crackle in it. I think that may cut down on the shine a bit. If you're keeping the cabinet color I would say go with a light backsplash like a soft white or cream. There are lots of great feature tile that you could use for your oven b/s. If you don't feel the hood is doing anything, what about open shelves above?? As long as they were high enough to avoid catching fire, I've seen that done as well.
I think that's it for my 2 cents.

I would love to see your quartzite! The only reason I wouldn’t get it again is you may not actually get quartzite..which is what happened to me. When I can take a photo you will see it looks nothing like marble. It has crystals in it. It’s gorgeous..but very fragile and needy. I’m happy you got what you ordered!

 

[momofive]

Also. Even though you can probably put hot pans on my quartzite. I don’t. I’ll put something down first. I don’t want to find out I’m wrong the hard way !LOL

 

[momofive]

You will be able to get a white undermount.

white undermount kitchen sink

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[ItsMainelyYou]

Luckily the one thing I do have is space, 6 inches on one side and 2.5 ft on the other on the sink ell. I actually love this old sink it's very deep and heavy cast iron, but it's terribly beat up and scratched almost down to the iron on the bottom and chipped all over. I'm just not sure I need one over 33 inches this time. I'm also not crazy about the overmount. All of the cabinets are solid wood all the way through, so weight isn't an issue. I actually want to try to keep the marble tiles that are there and we're going to try to save them when we put in the new thicker butcher over here (I already have the pieces wrapped in the barn). We'll see. I am one of the few that don't particularly care for light kitchens. I see a white wall and I want to paint it, but I understand the appeal. When I want to be in a white kitchen, I go over and luxuriate in MIL's fancy digs for a while. Tonal white and everything 'top drawer'. Her kitchen is fantastic but would look out of place in my humble house. I have a black stainless fridge and the rest of the appliances are black, but we'll change them when they give out to black stainless as I really like it.

Only the island will be stone as I love the butcher block we put in and will put the same over on this long counter as soon as I make up my mind on the sink. I will be adding a another remnant as a 'hot board' for baking overflow by the stove. I'm not sure about an apron unless it was metal because there is a wear mark on the old wood where everyone leans- that makes me think they'll lean against my nice new sink and ruin it. I love the look. They do make apron mounts in metal. I also talked to a soapstone company, they can make what I'm looking for- but as much as I love and am nostalgic about soapstone sinks 'from home', there are major drawbacks to them. I've accidently broken enough glasses to know! I'm not ruling out stainless because they really are the most practical option. There is also an antique place that has those huge old sinks with the drain board built into the sides. But again, scratching! We are hard on our sink. No matter what I choose there is going to be a sink grid placed to help with that.

I can't get to the local stone yard right now, so I don't know exactly what that will be yet but it might be fun to have it be a feature stone. I'm keeping the wall/cabinet colors as they are now, but they get a new color scheme every five years or so, which is why I need to keep the backsplashes so neutral. I'll get nicer updated knobs at some point- but the antique pulls everywhere are staying because it's my homage to the history of the house/town. DH has announced he wants to keep the hood and nixed the shelving over the range, so our compromise is to get one with the little chimney piece attached so it looks anchored. I'm leaning into the wonky cute. We don't plan on selling so I don't care too much about resale appeal.

We need to buy a whole lot of organization pieces and get rid of a bunch of stuff we just don't use and hide the stuff we do. Also area rug grips, it makes me crazy that this little sink rug is continually pushed off center all the time. This will be house wide. We accumulate a lot of 'stuff' somehow and with not enough storage it just annoys me to no end.

 

[momofive]

Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. I have been going through my cabinets and using the same premise as my clothes closet. If I haven’t used/worn it in a long time, I give it away (or throw it out). I’ve organized my storage containers - always seem to have tops and bottoms that don’t fit. (I did this about 2 months ago and yesterday went to look for a top and couldn’t find it. I think I have a gremlin, because I am crazy about putting things back where they go - my husband, not so much! LOL)

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. I have been going through my cabinets and using the same premise as my clothes closet. If I haven’t used/worn it in a long time, I give it away (or throw it out). I’ve organized my storage containers - always seem to have tops and bottoms that don’t fit. (I did this about 2 months ago and yesterday went to look for a top and couldn’t find it. I think I have a gremlin, because I am crazy about putting things back where they go - my husband, not so much! LOL)

Oh, I swear I think we breed them. I have my desk set the way I like it, everything in it's place. The rest is a losing battle. I try. Finally, now that my oldest is away at school and my youngest is in HS I can finally get rid of 'saved' things I know we'll never use again.

I also think my next color scheme will use a Hague Blue-ish color in a year or so. I haven't done the darker blues yet. It will depend on the lighting situation after we get everything else squared. I'm still fighting for a least a little open shelving, maybe between the windows or on the far side wall. I think it's such a pretty look, but if DH hates it enough to mention then I've got to take note. It surprised me he cared at all I have a bunch of pretty bowls and things that would look great and it would free up space. Ah, we'll see.

 

[HockeyMama]

When choosing tile and grout, please do consider if it needs to be sealed. Crackle tile, natural stone tile, and most hand made tiles will need to be sealed to prevent staining, as will light color grouts. Sealing is no big deal and easy to redo yourself every few years.

Quartzite is a huge topic I personally find fascinating and I read a bunch of geology blogs when I was on the hunt. The same way I scoured PS about ideal cut diamonds. Unfortunately many stone yards market marble as quartzite (I hope out of ignorance). Almost all light colored "quartzite" is questionable (not all). Taj Mahal is easily recognizable and the prototypical quartzite, its beautiful and warm colored, and if you find a remnant, snag it. I went with a cool colored quartzite called Platinum (but the names are made up at the stone source so they don't help). When I chose it I actually took a lemon and a piece of glass to the stone yard to test it for authenticity (yes, I really did). Anyway, I love my stone, would choose it again in a heartbeat, but I knew exactly what I was getting into.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I've gotten the granite squared away
I found a piece that was beautiful!
It's a bit lighter than this example (closer to the CW ex. in tone).
African Rainbow, shiny

Granite tiles/hot boards, this will be honed
Colonial White

 

[House Cat]

I’m probably going to remodel in a year. I’ve been looking at green kitchens with brass hardware. Color is back in the kitchen. I love your cabinets. They’re going to paint up nicely. I have no input on counters except that i found quartz to be really durable in my old home. I hated it because it was old style quartz...black with GLITTER!!! I would put hot pans on it all of the time. I’ve attached a photo of a backsplash i really like. I also like hand painted solid color tiles.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I’m probably going to remodel in a year. I’ve been looking at green kitchens with brass hardware. Color is back in the kitchen. I love your cabinets. They’re going to paint up nicely. I have no input on counters except that i found quartz to be really durable in my old home. I hated it because it was old style quartz...black with GLITTER!!! I would put hot pans on it all of the time. I’ve attached a photo of a backsplash i really like. I also like hand painted solid color tiles.

I love color, so I'd be happy in these kitchens. I'm still waffling on the exact tiles, but I think getting the stone in will clear that up quick.
Well, it's true for me, anyway, wait long enough and your own kitchen is in again!
I've been obsessed with Hague blue cabinets, that's probably what I'll paint the red ones next!

 

[House Cat]

I love color, so I'd be happy in these kitchens. I'm still waffling on the exact tiles, but I think getting the stone in will clear that up quick.
Well, it's true for me, anyway, wait long enough and your own kitchen is in again!
I've been obsessed with Hague blue cabinets, that's probably what I'll paint the red ones next!

Omg! I LOVE this kitchen!!! Stone would be really pretty with a glossy cabinet! It would balance things out nicely. What kind of hardware are you thinking? I love the granite you picked. It’s beautiful.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Omg! I LOVE this kitchen!!! Stone would be really pretty with a glossy cabinet! It would balance things out nicely. What kind of hardware are you thinking? I love the granite you picked. It’s beautiful.

Thank you! I know my bold color choices aren't everyone's cup of tea-so it's nice when somebody actually likes it.
I just love colors! There's a reason I'm a CS kid.
I know the blue is dark but I just love the shade. I'm adding cabinet lighting so that will help brighten things up.
The long counters are also going to be the butcher block, so it's really just the island as a focal point- but the island itself would be the blue to pull from the pantry color. I usually keep the outer cabinets white as an anchor. If, and when, I go blue(probably next year) I was thinking it would be fun to go with brass or brushed nickel hardware, if not, then the black antique I have now would stay with the addition of handles on the top cabinets.
I was surprised at how easy it was to pick the stone, they had a ton of options. It caught my eye pretty quickly and I kept meandering back to it- even DH made noises over it. I quick gut-checked, found I liked it, so, why not? It's a pretty popular type, there were some really nice slabs of it. It's a neutral(for me, anyway) and it'll support my color changing I like to do.

 

[House Cat]

Thank you! I know my bold color choices aren't everyone's cup of tea-so it's nice when somebody actually likes it.
I just love colors! There's a reason I'm a CS kid.
I know the blue is dark but I just love the shade. I'm adding cabinet lighting so that will help brighten things up.
The long counters are also going to be the butcher block, so it's really just the island as a focal point- but the island itself would be the blue to pull from the pantry color. I usually keep the outer cabinets white as an anchor. If, and when, I go blue(probably next year) I was thinking it would be fun to go with brass or brushed nickel hardware, if not, then the black antique I have now would stay with the addition of handles on the top cabinets.
I was surprised at how easy it was to pick the stone, they had a ton of options. It caught my eye pretty quickly and I kept meandering back to it- even DH made noises over it. I quick gut-checked, found I liked it, so, why not? It's a pretty popular type, there were some really nice slabs of it. It's a neutral(for me, anyway) and it'll support my color changing I like to do.

I’d love to see that stone! I’m a true believer in doing what we love when decorating. I’ve tried so many times to make my house look like instagram but I never felt at home. Then, in this new house, i said i would only decorate with things i love. I have to tell ya...i am so happy in my house! It might not be insta perfect, but i love every single thing I’ve done to my house. I smile every time i look around. It’s such a warm feeling. More than anything, i would say, pick what makes your heart soar. You will love your kitchen every time you walk into it.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Anaglypta was a bit of a bust, hated that the seams were very noticeable- looked too piece-y in the squares, so I ended up taking down what I'd done. I've just received another wallpaper called Cabaret that I think will look pretty. It has a subtle pearlized sheen to it when the lights hit it directly and I've already painted the slats a pearl to play off it. It's almost a no pattern, pattern.

Still haven't heard bupkus from the stone people after they sent the estimate- but only after I emailed them twice to even get it a week later. We haven't signed anything or paid because they didn't explain how they wanted this done. They don't tend to answer the phone. So, I emailed as they asked if we had questions. And nothing.
We'll call this week, but really not liking the lack of communication/customer service. Not for me, not impressed. Smacks of incompetence. This is a quick and easy job for them, they don't even have to deliver, but whatever.
*read some reviews that state the same/other issues and where they went instead*
Too bad, I really liked the slabs we chose but there are other slabs out there.
We'll probably just have to go to another place. We'll see

 

[Ally T]

I would be hugely annoyed with the slab people too. I haven’t got time for tardiness from people I intend to drop money with.

Looks like your ideas are coming together & I’m really excited over the before & after pictures when you get sorted! We can compare & contrast! I love bold colours. My new main lounge room will be navy blue from head to toe, including ceiling, skirts & door frame. I’m taking a flyer & keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I would be hugely annoyed with the slab people too. I haven’t got time for tardiness from people I intend to drop money with.

Looks like your ideas are coming together & I’m really excited over the before & after pictures when you get sorted! We can compare & contrast! I love bold colours. My new main lounge room will be navy blue from head to toe, including ceiling, skirts & door frame. I’m taking a flyer & keeping my fingers crossed!

They are!
It's just foolish on their part. Our job isn't huge, they could cut them in a few hours. Easy money. We were discussing putting another 7 foot stone 'bench counter' on the other side in a year or so as an appliance/overflow prep station, as well.
We were the testers, and would have lead to several other immediate much larger jobs from friends and family.
We were to report after the initial foray.
It's likely we'll have to see about the next one, then.

You have no idea how much I love that you're using color, a space like that demands it and it will be the light and color that makes it live. The size of your rooms will allow bold color to shine, but not overwhelm. You can make real compositions with yours. I can't wait.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Put up a tester square last night to see it in the morning and it has the subtle pearlized effect I wanted with natural light!
I also need to add some extra detailing to the cheap panel slats.
Yay, so pretty!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

We're getting there. Two squares to go and it is really subtle and beautiful- even with the seams. It was way more difficult than need be to install but hey, that's old houses. I have the little trim detail painted and ready to add to the slats and I like how the pearlized paint plays off the paper. It's a small thing, but it's something I look at so, up it goes.

Good news on the stone, guess who called the day after I wrote the previous post. Yep. It'll be done in two weeks. Once I get that in I can finalize my tile choice for the back wall L and get the new hood. That'll be the next project. We'll likely be putting another 7 or 8 ft. granite counter space on that long wall under the windows next year.

The light situation is annoying as it can't be moved or added to, and while it's centered to the room, it isn't centered on the island.
I yell at the ceiling sometimes. It helps.
I was thinking something simple, like this schoolhouse pendant, either two or three light.

*If anyone has any other ideas or styles they think would look good, feel free to run them by me!

I want new cafe curtains in a thinner off white linen, I think.
I'm just trying to get some light in this cave!
Still haven't finalized the sink, but after a particularly 'all the pots' dinner my DH was making noises about getting a larger one...maybe it will be a 36

 

[HockeyMama]

We're getting there. Two squares to go and it is really subtle and beautiful- even with the seams. It was way more difficult than need be to install but hey, that's old houses. I have the little trim detail painted and ready to add to the slats and I like how the pearlized paint plays off the paper. It's a small thing, but it's something I look at so, up it goes.

Good news on the stone, guess who called the day after I wrote the previous post. Yep. It'll be done in two weeks. Once I get that in I can finalize my tile choice for the back wall L and get the new hood. That'll be the next project. We'll likely be putting another 7 or 8 ft. granite counter space on that long wall under the windows next year.

The light situation is annoying as it can't be moved or added to, and while it's centered to the room, it isn't centered on the island.
I yell at the ceiling sometimes. It helps.
I was thinking something simple, like this schoolhouse pendant, either two or three light.

*If anyone has any other ideas or styles they think would look good, feel free to run them by me!

I want new cafe curtains in a thinner off white linen, I think.
I'm just trying to get some light in this cave!
Still haven't finalized the sink, but after a particularly 'all the pots' dinner my DH was making noises about getting a larger one...maybe it will be a 36

That looks terrific! I love the look of schoolhouse lighting but double check how many bulbs are in each side. It won’t add much light if each is only one bulb. They do make lanterns with multiple bulbs on each side. I hope this makes sense. Lighting is king in the kitchen for sure!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

That looks terrific! I love the look of schoolhouse lighting but double check how many bulbs are in each side. It won’t add much light if each is only one bulb. They do make lanterns with multiple bulbs on each side. I hope this makes sense. Lighting is king in the kitchen for sure!

Good catch, I need to check that! I found a little company on Etsy that actually fabricates these lights and the shades, the man who owns it is an electrician who has experience on preservation projects etc.. It will cost a bit more but I need for the light to be well built with a pull chain or switch. They need to last so 'fashion lighting' isn't a good idea.

OldeBrickLighting - Etsy

Shop Builder of high quality lighting for home and business by OldeBrickLighting located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Speedy replies! Has a history of replying to messages quickly. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

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I will have some cabinet LED strip lighting, but this pendant will have to do the heavy lifting. I may add a sconce or two on the outer walls, don't know yet.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Alright, papering is done and just need to finish putting up the trim today and now we're waiting for the stone and new lights! Then, on to tile/hood!

 

[MamaBee]

Alright, papering is done and just need to finish putting up the trim today and now we're waiting for the stone and new lights! Then, on to tile/hood!

It looks so nice!! Exciting!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Yes, we are slapping some real lipstick on this kitchen
I have a question, should I do three sconces, two and shelves in the middle, or just the one and shelves on the outside? There is space for larger shelves next to the built in hutch in the corner(out of frame)
It won't be until next year, maybe earlier, that we get the granite counter space over here on this side from the corner to under the windows... DH thinks one would be fine and that the wall is too cramped to the left, he hates the idea of any open shelving. He thinks it'll look like too much. He's a very minimal design type guy and he hates wires(these would have to be plug ins). But, we need light!
I can't decide!

 

[MamaBee]

Yes, we are slapping some real lipstick on this kitchen
I have a question, should I do three sconces, two and shelves in the middle, or just the one and shelves on the outside? There is space for larger shelves next to the built in hutch in the corner(out of frame)
It won't be until next year, maybe earlier, that we get the granite counter space over here on this side from the corner to under the windows... DH thinks one would be fine and that the wall is too cramped to the left, he hates the idea of any open shelving. He thinks it'll look like too much. He's a very minimal design type guy and he hates wires(these would have to be plug ins). But, we need light!
I can't decide!

I want to make sure I’m understanding the question..Forgive me because I didn’t sleep well last night. Are you saying you are thinking of putting a sconce on the left and right wall outside the window…with shelves between the windows? The other option is just one sconce in the middle between the two windows? If that’s what I understand I would put the sconces on the little walls on the outside of the window. I wouldn’t put a sconce by itself in the middle. I also don’t think there’s enough room for shelves between the windows unless you do away with the curtain rod..If you did painted wood shutters instead and added a few shelves in between the window.. it would tie in better IMHO. It would be less busy that way.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I want to make sure I’m understanding the question..Forgive me because I didn’t sleep well last night. Are you saying you are thinking of putting a sconce on the left and right wall outside the window…with shelves between the windows? The other option is just one sconce in the middle between the two windows? If that’s what I understand I would put the sconces on the little walls on the outside of the window. I wouldn’t put a sconce by itself in the middle. I also don’t think there’s enough room for shelves between the windows unless you do away with the curtain rod..If you did painted wood shutters instead and added a few shelves in between the window.. it would tie in better IMHO. It would be less busy that way.

Yes. See, I'm a waffler.
I've been looking at it. I'm actually not certain I want shelves at all between the windows now that I'm looking at it in pictures. They would be very small at little under 2ft, more decoration than functional. I could stuff a shelf over here on this side...the truth is I'm not sure they would do anything other than be more 'things' shoved into the space to make it look just as cluttered as it does now. Also, not sure what the horsehair plaster will do if I do.
It's a challenge with this old house even though we love her rustic wonky.
It's mostly spitballing at this stage. I don't know. I'll probably just get the two sconces on the outside of the windows and keep the little bit of negative space I have in between the windows and the far side.
Eh, I'll tuck it. I'm getting ahead of myself.
I need to tile that back wall behind the stove next, anyhow.

 

[MamaBee]

Yes. See, I'm a waffler.
I've been looking at it. I'm actually not certain I want shelves at all between the windows now that I'm looking at it in pictures. They would be very small at little under 2ft, more decoration than functional. I could stuff a shelf over here on this side...the truth is I'm not sure they would do anything other than be more 'things' shoved into the space to make it look just as cluttered as it does now. Also, not sure what the horsehair plaster will do if I do.
It's a challenge with this old house even though we love her rustic wonky.
It's mostly spitballing at this stage. I don't know. I'll probably just get the two sconces on the outside of the windows and keep the little bit of negative space I have in between the windows and the far side.
Eh, I'll tuck it. I'm getting ahead of myself.
I need to tile that back wall behind the stove next, anyhow.

I have horsehair plaster in my other house in Maryland..It was built in 1904-1905..As long as you use good anchors to hang anything on them you should be fine. I have heavy drapery rods installed in them there. I like the idea of shelves on that far right wall. Open shelves would look nice. You could front the edges of the boards with the moulding you used for the ceiling if it’s not too thick.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I have horsehair plaster in my other house in Maryland..It was built in 1904-1905..As long as you use good anchors to hang anything on them you should be fine. I have heavy drapery rods installed in them there. I like the idea of shelves on that far right wall. Open shelves would look nice. You could front the edges of the boards with the moulding you used for the ceiling if it’s not too thick.

1825 here- the ratio seems higher on the filler binding they used, making them even more brittle than normal. It's an odd thing and makes me wonder if they made the mix themselves- it's not uniform throughout. The lathe looks standard behind it. The plus is that this house was beam built so the studs are thicker. The kitchen/adjoining 'front' room are particularly brittle. If I do, I'll have to skim coat the wall first, I think.
I do like idea of shelves. The trim would look really cute, so I'll sit on it a bit longer and see.
I ran it by DH and he just said 'I hate shelves, this isn't Houzz'

 

[Mooshi]

Light can really cheer me up on an overcast day, I place importance on a lot of light indoors so I would go 3 sconces. Or two, on the outsides of the window and leave the middle blank.

 

[CSpan]

I have zero design sense, but I had to redo my kitchen due to water and mold and found out some lessons learned the hardway.

I had a few open shelves previously and nixed those. The amount of dust they collect was insane. And the higher they are the more difficult to dust them.

Re: stove backsplash. I had mosaic and opted for a handmade 4x4 tile. The mosaic was impossible to keep clean, all the little grout lines would get splashed with red sauce or grease and ick. The larger tile is better, but I stupidly got a matte finish vs gloss and it too gets visibly speckled in crud. I try to avoid using my back burners. YMMV.

Also, regarding decorative touches. A friend told me to make sure I had some border between the surround and the "show". I didn't get why but it looks much more finished even with a few slim pieces of schluter in between. Creates a clean look.

I went with a tile backsplash all around the kitchen and wish i had gotten matching wall pieces from my granite. We are going to sell so I tried to be standard on trend, but man that granite was SO easy to clean and no grout lines to contend with.

Best of luck. I love your kitchen, old houses are the best!