text:
We are in the process of remodeling an older home and recently had new granite countertops and a calcatta marble backsplash installed (photo below). Now, I am regretting the granite we picked. Initially, we made these choices because the color themes matched (the counters are a "busier" version of the backsplash) but now, I'm wondering if they complement or clash with each other. Do they match/complement or clash/compete? Honest opinions wanted! Wondering if I should re-purpose the countertops into bathroom vanity counters and look for something different for the kitchens instead...help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
My first impression was that it is a little busy. Maybe you could just replace the perimeter countertops with a solid color and leave the island as is. I love the backsplash, it is beautiful. |
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 12:32
I'd say its "slightly" busy. If you could repurpose the counters, I'd go for something simpler on the counters - a white or whitish/greyish quartz for example. But I love the backsplash! |
- Posted by bookworm4321 (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 12:44
Is that St Celicia? Agree with Sj, but then it took me months to get use to my countertops. I posted like you did. It looks so different when installed, but your BS does match. Everything else in your kitchen is in a simple design, so your kitchen can carry one busier feature. |
I think you should give it a couple of days to let it all sink in, it takes some time to get used to the changes. If after some time you decide it still feels too busy to you and you have other places that you can use the granite, go ahead and change it to a quieter granite. But I would just do the perimeter, the island is gorgeous! |
Your granite & backsplash are both really pretty & they don't bother me together. If you were doing a reveal, I don't believe that I would be thinking that the overall look is too busy. I'd be commenting (sincerely) on how lovely your new kitchen is. As bookworm said, your cabinets don't have alot of detail and the backsplash and countertops add some pizazz. Take some time to get used to it. BTW, I love your light fixture. Looking forward to your reveal with more pictures. |
Sorry, but I think your gut feeling is correct. The backsplash and granite are too busy when viewed together. If anything, I would do the BS over. I wouldn't want to remove the counters. I would be interested in knowing what granite you used, too. |
- Posted by jellytoast (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 13:59
At first glance, I kinda dig it. Maybe you could post a close-up picture of where the granite meets the backsplash? Off topic ... what hardware did you use? |
- Posted by may_flowers (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 14:04
I like things simple and it looks fine to me. |
I support the majority on here…I think it's a little busy together. If I were you, I would repurpose the counter granite for the bathrooms (it's lovely) and replace it with absolute black. I'd also leave the island as is…it's a nice contrast to a dark granite on the counters, and it really looks nice with the backsplash…just a little further away. The granite looks great with the backsplash, it's just in MHO, I think it's too similar/busy when it's right next to each other. |
I guess I'm among the minority but I honestly think everything looks lovely together! My eye doesn't pick up 'clash' at all. I see 'clean, soft, inviting and warm'. |
- Posted by lavender_lass (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 14:35
I agree with Pwanna and others....keep the backsplash and island, but replace the perimeter countertops with absolute black. I think it would be beautiful with your black appliances! :) |
A close up picture would help; even then, things may appear different IRL. Both materials are lovely, but I think many of us are picking up on the interaction of the patterns of the two stones and the grout. I also agree you should not make any rash decisions here, unless you have to. And, we are looking at things in isolation, which makes us focus on small differences. |
Hi TLLane 3. I feel your pain! I too regretted my granite decision once it was installed (the slabs look so different in the warehouse lighting-- and bringing a small sample home was evidently no help in my case!). I also have a light colored, busy granite and I have had a VERY tough time finding just the right tiles for a backsplash. Anyway, I love, love, love your backsplash. Your granite is very, very pretty, too. You asked for honest opinions--so I will admit that, in my humble opinion, that the combination isn't doing justice to either or them or showing each other off in the best light. It isn't horrible, and I could definitely live with it for sure, but it isn't a combination that I would probably select for my "pinterest" board, either. (Though I might for the backsplash alone! ) Would you be able to remove the counters without damaging the tile? I would think it would be cheaper and easier to remove the backsplash than the countertops, but perhaps not.( Maybe you could pop off the tiles and reuse those in the bathroom, if you decide to go that route.) I'll bet that with the right tile, those counters will really show off their beauty to their full potential. Light colored granite is hard to match to another type of stone. I wish I had known that before I spent a year searching for the elusive stone tile backsplash that would go with my busy light-colored granite. I ended up with a subway tile in an unusual golden ivory shade (it was hard to find just the right shade since neither white nor the typical bone/bisque looked right with the granite.) I wish I had stumbled on designer/color expert Maria Killam's blog earlier--it would have saved me so much time. You might find this article from her blog helpful. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Maria Killam: Which Backsplash Tile goes with Granite?
Thanks for the opinions! I'm still not decided and keep going back and forth. The granite can definitely be repurposed as for bathroom counters so that makes me feel a little better! My first choice for counters would have been Calacatta Gold marble (same as the backsplash) but I have young kids and knew that wasn't a practical option. I looked into several "marble like" quartz counters such as Silestone Lyra, Silestone Lagoon, and Cambria Torquay but didn't love any of them. They all looked very "man made" and not really natural/stonelike which is what I wanted because of my cabinets. It's hard to tell from the photos but the cabinets (which were the original ones when we moved in) are made of a plastic-y material and very plain...just smooth and shiny. I'm not sure what it is exactly but the previous owner told me that it's "what football helmets are made of...they are indestructible". They are certainly easy to clean and can take a beating from little ones but they, too, look quite man made and artificial! So to balance that, I opted for natural stone for the counters and backsplash with more color/pattern to it...but may have gone overboard! We also inherited the pendants over the island and the cabinet hardware so I can't comment on where those are from. The granite is called "Biano Arabescaso" and the background is actually quite white...with grey, tan, black swirls and garnet flecks. The flooring is a darker wood and the appliances are stainless/black so all colors do work together. I'm just not sure if it's overkill...I like the idea of moving the perimeter counters to the bathrooms and replacing with something less "busy". Some have suggested absolute black granite for the perimeters...any other suggestions? Thanks for the input! |
- Posted by 1929Spanish (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 15:37
I would not add a third surface to the mix. I think then you might just make the whole kitchen more busy. I would also replace the backsplash before replacing the counters. What looks most busy is the marble because of the individual tiles with a pattern that doesn't match up from tile to tile. I considered doing my shower in marble tile, but instead chose to do a marble hex on the floor and a plain white subway on the walls to keep the pattern to a minimum. But everyone sees it different which is why you should live with it a few days before you decide. |
- Posted by writersblock (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 15:50
Another vote for replacing the backsplash rather than the counters. |
- Posted by jellytoast (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 16:21
For what it's worth ... after my backsplash was installed, I realized it was too busy combined with my granite so we decided to scrap the backsplash. Tearing it out was a major PITA. It had only been up one day, but removing it pretty much destroyed the drywall underneath and all of that had to be repaired before the new backsplash went in. The tile could not be saved and every bit of it went into the trash ... that is literally throwing money into the trash. It was a lot of extra work, extra hassle, and extra expense. I don't regret the decision to remove it, but mine was a really, really ugly combination ... your's isn't. I'd think about it for a few days before tearing anything out. |
- Posted by michellemarie (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 17:04
Keep the granite, unless you have a big bank account. A simple white subway tile with no accents and pretty accessories will bring your kitchen together. I like pretty furniture and window treatments to add class and interest to a kitchen. |
IMHO, it looks good to me. |
Fun2Learn - Thanks for commiserating and for the link! Good read! It would really pain me to replace the backsplash as the tiles could not be reused. They are calcatta gold marble so not an inexpensive material. :( At least the granite could be reused for the bathroom vanity tops (we need to redo those anyway). If we do opt to replace the backsplash instead, maybe a simple white subway tile with contrasting grey grout? Or a slate gray subway tile with contrasting white grout? I think I'm talking myself into swapping out the backsplash instead... |
IMHO, it looks good to me. |
I think it looks fine but I know that feeling all too well when you have put time and energy into something and having it stare you in the face everyday when it didn't turn out how you wanted. IF changing the perimeter to plain black is an option that would be my vote. Keep the backsplash. very pretty. |
- Posted by debrak2008 (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 19:11
Are you sure those counters and be made into bathroom counters? I like it as is. |
I recently had very busy granite installed and I always told myself busy granite and busy backsplash always clash. I went with a plain and subtle backsplash and liked it. My first impressions of yours look fine. Sure, there is movement in both of your choices but neither are overwhelming. I think they look fine. Give it some time and think positive. I don't think they clash. (Honest opinion) |
- Posted by williamsem (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 21:02
I really like it! The colors blend, but in different scales. With the plain cabinets I think it works really well. Try bringing home some plainer tile samples. You may find you prefer one over the other. Personally, I had a lot of trouble finding a solid tile because of all the slight variation in my granite. I ended up with white MOP because I love how it picks up some of the colors in the granite but isn't dramatic, much like you ave done. |
- Posted by serendipity_ont (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 21:07
I vote to keep both - yes, they are both detailed but the tones are similar so I don't think they clash at all. |
TLLane13 - I would be happy to help with some photoshopping, to either help you realize you are happy with what you have or to visualize some alternatives. If it comes down to new backsplash or countertop... I like LL's idea of a darker countertop. Note that as I photoshop your kitchen and zoom in I realize how beautiful your countertop is! |
This post was edited by oldbat2be on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 21:37
- Posted by annalyn123 (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 21:41
Oldbat2be, that was so helpful! It really shows how beautiful the original countertops are! A pet peeve of mine is a busy countertop with busy tile. I find this combination pleasing to the eye since they blend so nicely. I think you should wait before you make any changes. |
I also like the idea of a different backsplash (apologies in advance). What you have picked is beautiful but remember the Hippocratic Oath (First, do no harm...). I think it conflicts with your gorgeous countertops. |
Thanks annalyn123! Unlike so many of the creative people on GW, I have to see things to know how they'll look I think the key will be - which is more cost effective to replace... countertop or backsplash (I'm guessing backsplash). |
Thank you so much, oldbat2be!! It helps so much to be able to visualize things. I'm really torn right now on what to do! Live with it and see if it grows on me? Re-purpose the granite and put on new, quieter countertops? Cut my losses and replace the marble backsplash with a solid color? Here is a close up shot of the area where the countertop meets the backsplash. The color themes are the same but definitely pattern on pattern... |
- Posted by williamsem (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 23:22
If you are on the fence, I'd say live with it for a few weeks. It's already installed, it's not going to get any easier or harder to remove. FWIW, I think adding a third material makes it disjointed. What you have blends beautifully and flows. I think the larger size of the tile and linear streaks make it work well, where a smaller shape or pattern might look busy. |
The photo showing black granite on the perimeter countertops looks great and if you are going to make a change that's the way I would go. The way it is now still looks nice and I would have a hard time justifying spending more money unless it was horrible...which it isn't. It's a hard decision so take your time in making it. Good luck! |
- Posted by may_flowers (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 23:41
Is it possible to remove the busiest tiles and replace with the solid ones? I thought someone here did that. |
- Posted by butterfly4u (My Page) on Wed, Feb 5, 14 at 23:49
TLL, They clash. Sorry. I like the pic with the black counter at your sink, that way you only have to replace the one piece. |
- Posted by Texasgal47 (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 2:39
I think you may be able to make the combination work with carefully chosen accesssories. Since you're still putting things away, the dishes and bottles on the counter don't help. Once they're removed, experiment with accessories in solid black and stainless (i.e., cannisters, decorative plate on a plate stand, large pitcher with spatulas inside). Try the fruit in a wood bowl. Perhaps hang a small painting against the backsplash. You seem to need some solid areas to anchor the granite and backsplash so that they flow together as background. You really need to live with it a little while before taking a drastic step. When my granite went it, it was so dark that it seemed to suck all of the light out of my kitchen which has no windows. I solved the problem by adding a lamp to the peninsula , in addition to having recessed cans overhead and now love my kitchen. By the way, beautiful kitchen with gorgeous materials; you've done a great job. |
I say live with it for now. I think it looks lovely. If you do change anything I would change the perimeter countertops to black and leave the island as it is. However, that said, I still think your kitchen looks very nice and I would simply wait a while to see if you really want to make that change. |
- Posted by illinigirl (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 6:35
i wouldn't say they "clash" exactly but I do think that a black perimeter like oldbat2be photoshopped would highlight the beauty of your marble backsplash- I would NOT get rid of that backsplash- it's gorgeous! Personally I chose an almost identical backsplash with the intention of black perimeters also....island tbd. |
Now that I see the closeup of BS and counter I like it even more! The colors/patterns are gorgeous and I think really compliment each other. I especially like how your range top looks with the current granite. It seems to get lost with the darker color. I think bringing in a third surface will start to make things look disjointed and busy. Experiment with accessories like Texasgal suggests. Don't do anything now while you're still unsure. I have found that when I'm unsettled over something that living it with for a while helps. If after three weeks you're still cringing every time you walk into the room then maybe it's worth it to change. If you grow more comfortable then you have your answer. Good luck. |
We faced similar deisng choice when we redid our kitchen last fall. We installed Jet Mist granite (dark soapstone alternative) and considered two finishes of subway tile for BS: marble and plain white. I spent some time looking at pictures of kitchen with both and we decided to go with plain to put really showcase the counter. All that to say that IMO they compete for attention. I can't really appreciate either material when I look at them together. I like the idea of the dark perimeter counter otherwise I'd cut the losses and replace with a subway tile (I wouldn't do white because you have so much already, maybe a light grey? Or a frost type color). Ultimately it's a personal choice but when it comes to design I'm not a big believer in "living with it". I think for some people it's a gut reaction, you know immediately when it's not what you want. If that's how you feel, time is only going to aggravate you :) |
- Posted by teachertile (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 11:14
I think it's busy. A simple subway backsplash would have been a much better choice. I would leave the granite. It's a very pretty stone. The backsplash is also very pretty, but together they do not go as well as you would think. |
TLLane13, hey, perhaps we have the same last name? :) I'm sorry, but for me they clash, each having their own busy-ness. If it were me, I'd want to change something. Of course, your budget will be a huge factor. If you're sure you can use the perimeter granite elsewhere, and it already fits your plans, then that seems like a good way of minimizing loss and extra costs. I'm not as fond as others about adding a black-ish counter along the perimeter. You'd then have an additional surface element and it darn well better go perfectly with your backsplash for all the trouble you'll go through. As lovely as the marble backsplash is, I'd replace it with a solid neutral, subway if you will. I wouldn't go for too much of a contrast with your grout. It can look good, but you'd better want that contrast to hit you every time you walk into the kitchen. Good luck! |
- Posted by nosoccermom (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 11:20
Do you know what you like better, i.e. the counter or the backsplash? What do you think you will like longer? What is more expensive to replace? And with what would you replace it? Looks like there's also red in the counter, is there? On the other hand, it doesn't sound like you need to make a decision immediately, so live with it for a while. Things may become clearer, and you'll know which way to go. (I've always wondered how sensitive to staining and etching marble BS are.) |
- Posted by jerzeegirl (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 11:30
I really like it. It gives a lot of visual interest to a white kitchen. And it makes the kitchen really unique. A plain white backsplash would be kind of blah imo. I think you should live with it until you are no longer "shocked by the new". Then make your decision. |
- Posted by nancylouise (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 11:50
Like others have suggested, I would keep the granite and change out the marble backsplash. Maybe with a simple white marble. Nothing fancy or busy, just plain so as to not fight with the granite. NancyLouise |
- Posted by firsthouse_mp (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 12:05
I love what OldBat did when she replaced the perimeters with black. It's so much less distracting to me. I find that the combo of the granite and the backsplash are too much for my eye, but I tend to like a much more monochromatic environment. I find my decisions are based a lot on what nosoccermom has said, weighing all of the factors: cost to change, which one you like best, etc. If this is a kitchen that you think you will live with a long time, I would change this fairly soon so that you can move on without extending the remodeling. Especially if you are the type who will come into your kitchen every day and have something like this bother you. I have a friend who can live with just about anything for years, but I find myself best served by dealing immediately with things that bother me. What if you take white butcher paper/wrapping and cover up the backsplash? You can see what it would feel like if you simplified the backsplash color. |
- Posted by rococogurl (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 12:17
You've had a lot of opinions. I can only tell you what I would do and it's not much that's been suggested so far. Mixing stone, IMO is very tricky. Calacatta is a gorgeous marble and the instinct to do a calacatta splash with marble counters is what I would do. But having had marble counters I also understand the reason you wouldn't. I don't feel the calacatta and that particular granite are a happy marriage. The granite is way too dominant. Oldbat's photoshop of the dark perimeter counters showcases the granite on the island even more. For me, that makes it worse. Plus, there are 3 surfaces vs 2. Less is more in this situation. For me, the granite is meh and the calacatta is really beautiful and adds to the style of the kitchen. A calacatta backsplash is lovely and I would never tire of it. I had made that same error and could redo, I'd do calacatta on the island, seal it and let it go from there. It will patina but it is also one of the harder Carraras and should be fine. For under $20 there are plastic mats from Crate and Barrel. For the perimeter counters I would go with stainless steel or, if you could get there, one of the very plain honed Caesarstones that match to a color in the calacatta tile. I say this because it will go with the calacatta but be absolutely bulletproof for the kiddos and will go with the sort of mid-century vibe of the cabinets. And the calacatta will star. That could be reversed though I wouldn't have marble around the sink again -- it was fine but it did need a bit of care. You mentioned that you like stone and I do as well. I know granite is very popular here. But I have an Absolute Black counter in my laundry room and I would never use it in a kitchen. I shows fingermarks, anything oily, lint and water or liquid stains. Mine is honed. For me, the easiest switch out is the counters. The granite will be fine in a bath or the laundry. |
This post was edited by rococogurl on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 12:29
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 12:21
The most interesting thing about this thread is that there's obviously no right answer - what one people thinks "clashes" or "isn't a happy marriage" another thinks "blends". Where one person thinks changing the perimeter to black is a great idea, another thinks that makes it worse. I guess I'd live with it for a few weeks, and then decide, but since you can repurpose the granite, it wouldn't be a complete loss, so I'd be really open to that possibility. |
- Posted by luckyblueeye (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 13:13
My vote is also to keep the granite and change the backsplash IF you can't get used to it. I'll post a pic of my granite and BS for another idea. My granite is a lot like yours and has a lot going on by itself already. We had an old tile BS that wasn't coming down without the drywall, so in stead we glued beadboard right on top of it. I wanted something super simple to calm the granite down. I also have an option to paint it if I ever want a quick and easy change. It has been on for over 1/2 year now and has held up fantastically! I have 3 little kids and it still looks brand new, and it's very easy to wipe down. I used the best possible BM paint on it to give it a really good protection. My husband is a general contractor and he was hesitating a bit at first because he hadn't seen this at anyone else's house, but he also loves the result. |
rococo, I thought honing quartz wasn't kosher, comes with warnings and has warranty implications. Too bad, because I like my Caesarstone but like honed finishes. |
- Posted by pagesturned (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 14:33
I like it as is. I'm tired of black countertops. Plus, if you move the granite into the bathroom, you're going to then be stuck with finding both tile and floor to go with it. |
- Posted by nosoccermom (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 14:50
luckyblueeye, can you explain more about how you attached the beadboard? Maybe start a new thread? How did you handle the edges, window sill, outlets, i.e. is there a gap? |
- Posted by bostonstyle (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 14:55
It does look a bit busy but all the colors complement each other. It actually looks very trendy. Put your appliances and countertop things back in place. It happened to me in my last house. I thought my backsplash was too white to go with my antique white cabinets. Everyone came in and admired the backsplash. I got used to it and didn't even notice it after awhile. Pulling it out is a messy, destructive project! |
- Posted by rococogurl (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 17:01
linelle, the Caesarstone I'm referring to has a honed look. It's the same type as the white blizzard used by Jeff whatshislastname in the House Beautiful kitchen 3 years ago. One of my old neighbors used it throughout her apartment for counters and replacement windowsills. I saw samples when I was thinking of adding to my kitchen. Lots of colors, matte, no sparklies. It would do the job. IME, when something doesn't bother you and just looks like it's always been there, you know it's a keeper. But when it bothers you enough to post about it there's an issue. All these aesthetic decisions are questions of taste. Nothing is technically wrong, of course. Some feel it looks fine. I and others don't. No right or wrong here. For the OP to decide what she can really love. |
Thanks to everyone for their honest opinions...really gave me a lot to think about. After letting it all sink in, I know that if I keep it, I am just 'living with it' and don't truly love the design. I kept asking myself, if I had to choose just one, which element (marble backsplash or granite counters) I want to keep and I the answer is the calacatta gold backsplash. I love white marble and it would be my dream to have a gorgeous slab of calacatta on all the counters. However, let's face it...I can't babysit my counters all day on top of the kids running around. The backsplash was a way to bring some element of the material into the kitchen and it would be a huge waste to rip it out...especially considering that it would have to go straight into the trash. The granite, on the other hand, is actually a perfect match for not just one, but two of our bathrooms that need new vanity tops. And if we are able to remove it in large enough sections (which shouldn't be a problem), they can be re-purposed beautifully. Now this leads me to the next issue of what to use for the new counters. Lesson learned - need to find something much quieter but what?? Again, the cabinets are causing me some headache in that they are very plain, very glossy and very white. I thought about a solid white quartz in a more honed looking finish but I think it would be too boring and flat with the cabinets. What about Cambria quartz in Torquay (link below)? Yes it has a pattern to it but it's much more subtle and mimics the backsplash in movement and color. I've decided that absolute black granite is too dark (my floors are a dark wood) so would prefer something lighter than complements the marble. Any suggestions?? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Cambria in Torquay
- Posted by luckyblueeye (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 19:21
To nosoccermom : The beadboard was attached with liquid nails, it's the sheet kind (mdf), not real wood. I read too many reviews where the real wood moves around and gets gaps at the seams. My husband is very handy with tools, but it still took him hours to get the whole kitchen done. Those cuts have to be very precise for outlets etc. The edges were covered with wood moldings (window sill was also newly installed), then caulked and painted. Thanks for asking :) |
- Posted by rococogurl (My Page) on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 19:39
I love that solution. Seems smart. Having just had the grands here for DH's birthday weekend (7,5,2) the food on the counters was epic. I decided I would simply get over the idea of the baby staining the limestone floor in the dining room with beef stew and brownies and think the karma fairy was good to me because I did. But I digress. For me, there are two unknowns. Whether the torquay colors are spot on with the existing splash. And whether using the torquay everywhere still upstages the splash due to the scale of the surfaces it would cover. When we redid our apartment I did a photoshop mock up that turned out so close to the actual it was unreal. Why not take oldbat up on her offer to do some mock ups for comparisons? No matter what the final decision might be, looking at different variations is the one way I found to be sure of how the final outcome will look. And oldbat won't charge much LOL To really work the Torqay to the max I'd want to see. 1. Torquay on all to see how it works with the splash. 2. Torquay on the island with the perimeter in white -- to see what that does (it might/might not be as instructive as the dark perimeter) 3. Torquay on the perimeter and the island in white to see what happens with that combo. There may be additional suggestions and opinions, of course. |
My first instinct would be to get a lovely soft grey (Quartz?) that picked up the main color of the veins in the marble backsplash. I even saw a photo somewhere (not sure if it was on this forum, Houzz, or elsewhere) where someone used a gray laminate countertop that looked like a quartz , with a real marble backsplash and it looked awesome at a fraction of the price. One suggestion for you to gather ideas, if you haven't already done so, would be to go to HOUZZ.com and do a search for something like "calcatta marble backsplash" and see the hundreds of gorgeous, professionally designed kitchens that will come up. I will post just one below that I found after a very quick search (it is in a modern style, too, like yours, and they used a white countertop.) I understand where you are coming from with the torquay, but please, though, whatever you do--do not mix real marble (backsplash) with the FAKE marble look of the Torquay. I have seen it in real life (even considered it for a bathroom vanity myself), and, in the right setting the torquay looks fine, but next to the real marble it will just look like "I really wanted marble but couldn't afford it/didn't want the upkeep." Just my humble opinion, though. Hope looking through Houzz helps. |
Here is a link that might be useful: white kitchen with calcatta marble tile backsplash on Houzz
I *love* how it looks with the dark perimeter photoshopped in. I think that's the way to go, if you can justify the expense and repurpose what you'd take out. The two things are absolutely beautiful, just not right next to each other. I think it's just too much. But I also agree with whoever said to leave it for two weeks and then reassess, because this isn't a time sensitive decision. You'll figure out what to do. |
my personal taste is solid colored countertop- but because yours seems to be a gentle transition I think it's fine the way it is -- but you have to like it. I like bellsmom's comment about undercabinet light and someone else mentioned adding your accessories and living with it for a while before you decide. |
rococo's right, there are some quiet Caesarstones described as honed on their site. I agree with Fun2Learn about not putting real marble and faux marble abutting one another. There are lots of nice quiet quartzes that will pick up a color in your backsplash |
We have Torquay and are mostly satisfied with it. Other times... very much wish I'd had the gumption to go for marble. (AND a different edge!) As you can see, I solved the too much white dilemma with a bold backsplash. Here's Torquay poorly photoshopped on your beautiful countertops. |
I was just looking at an email from FireclayTile. Here, I think, is an example of when Torquay could shine (not saying this is Torquay, but it seems close to what I know). I think the contrast is necessary to pull off this look. (Swooning a little; I do love contrast!). Note the picture I saved from the Fireclay website is named: Malcolm_Fearon-Malcolm_Fearon_Photography_-_All_Rights_Reserved-2-4_1054_700 Now to find what you would swoon over! I can photoshop backsplash and island materials for you, if given a decent link. Bring 'em on! |
If you are not loving the starkness of the white cabs, then you should have some contrast IMO. I love the idea of the dark gray or black granite. I think it would look fantastic! |
I like it just the way it is! Very pretty! |
I am generally not a fan of dark cabinets but the photo oldbat posted made ME swoon! TTL, I love your gorgeous marble backsplash and would not muck it up with a fake marble lookalike. I also think you need a little bit of contrast in the perimeter countertops to tone down the starkness of the cabinets, especially since you have dark floors. But whatever you decide will be gorgeous, I can't wait to see the finished product! |
oldbat2be - I owe you one...when I saw the photoshopped torquay photo, I gasped (not in a good way), and proceeded to say "no, no, no" repeatedly! Fun2Learn - you are absolutely right...it would be a tragedy to put the fake stuff right up against the real deal. Sigh...I think this confirms my gut that the counters need to look more "natural" and provide some contrast against those stark white cabinets! Clearly, I reside in that camp of folks that think "nothing compares to real marble". oldbat2be...just for kicks and gigles, can you photoshop a calacatta gold/ora marble slab on the counters? You know, just so I can drool and moan for a bit! :) And then maybe a soft grey quartz? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Dream Calacatta Gold Slab
TTLane13..happy to read you were able to sift through the barrage of opinions and come to your own sensible solution. Now that you're moving on to picking new counters, I love the idea of a soft gray quartz. Looking forward to the results, whatever you decide :) |
I would go with grey/black quartz, something very plain. I would pick a color that complements your backsplash. That would break the whiteness but really showcase your backsplash. There are some great quartz alternatives to marble (http://www.kitchendesigns.com/blog/index.php/2012/04/16/alternatives-to-white-carrara-marble-kitchen-countertops/) but I would be very careful about mixing and ending up with the same clash… (I also love the look of Virginia/ Jet Mist granite with marble subway tile... If our recent reno had been the forever home, we we're doing that. Instead, we did white subway tile. There are plenty of pics on design sites :) |
This post was edited by mcm81 on Fri, Feb 7, 14 at 11:11
mcm81 - Virginia mist granite...OMG, where have you been all my life? It's gorgeous! Is it too dark with the calacatta marble though? There is plenty of dark gray veining in the tiles so on first glance, it looks like it may work. I still can't get myself to love quartz...I know it's taking over the granite market, zero maintenance, yadda yadda but I'm still drawn to the natural stone. The quartz alternatives still look so artificial to me. Maybe virginia mist is the way to go...thank you for the suggestion! |
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Fri, Feb 7, 14 at 13:19
Those look so different in vertical and horizontal applications - I honestly don't think they work any better than what you have currently. |
I think quartz in a mid to light gray pulled from your backsplash would be calmly interesting. |
As others have said, using a patterned material in light tones, whether it be quartzite, granite, quartz or Corian, will just replicate the issue you are seeing with your existing material. You can get around this by using a contrasting color or by using a (sufficiently) solid light color. I used a darker quartz (CS Piatra Grey) with slight patterning with my Carrara marble BS. It is mixing the fake with the natural, but the color contrast helps bridge the two. CS Raven is more solid warm grey which others have used -- others have used CS Concrete. Similar colors exist in other lines. As suggested above, Honed Jet Mist/Virginia Mist would do something similar, but I would be careful with the undertones, because your BS is warm and the stone tends to run dark and cool, with some pronounced patterning. If you want granite/quartzite, the options are pretty limited in greys or warm, low patterned whites. Believe me -- I looked high and low! Pietra Cardosa is another alternative, but I was warned away from it by the slabyard due to etching/staining/porosity. The Whtie Macaubus quartzite has some pretty strong veining and may clash quite a bit as well -- it would be a lot of strong patterns. |
TLLane13- I know what you you mean about not loving the man-made quartz and loving a more "natural material", but it does seem to gaining popularity despite it usually being more expensive that most natural stone. I have a sneaking suspicion that part of its popularity is due to the popularity of "busy" backsplashes (mosaics, busy stone tile, etc. I also wonder how much the quartz industry is giving out free (or greatly reduced cost) product to designers on home design shows to showcase the stuff!) I think it looks quite at home in a modern style kitchen. If you don't want a dark, more monolithic colored granite, quartz seems to offer a good solution for those looking for something simple. I do know, though, that there are almost pure white "granites" out there that I believe are actually made of REAL quartz--I saw one in a warehouse, but it was pricey--and it seemed so---plain! It did have a beautiful sparkle though. I thought I would love it until I actually saw it. However, now I wish I had given it more serious consideration---it would have made my "tile hunting" a lot simpler! Best wishes. |
- Posted by rococogurl (My Page) on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 10:59
I don't care for any of these options. Colors look way off in my monitor. @oldbat - if you can clone the colors of the stainless from the downdraft in her photo I think that would be more representational. If not ss and she doesn't want white, then I'd pick the dominant or second dominant color in the backsplash, whatever that might be. But it's not my kitchen. |
I like your original over any of the others. Looks like you have a contemporary space leaning towards modern and I think it goes well with that. If this was a traditional kitchen then mynopinion would be different. I have a feeling many commenting on it not working is looking at it from a traditional stand point. |
Oldbat2be--have you tried reducing the brightness on the imported countertop and tile samples ? (Just on the layer with the imported items only. If you really want to get realistic and have the time while trying a new tile backsplash photoshop, you can simulate the shadow on the wall tile from the cabinets with just the brightness setting and outlining a layer under the cabinets and doing it a bit darker.) I used to do quite a bit of photoshopping when I was looking for tile and found that helped quite a bit to make it look more realistic. I think TLLane13's cabinets just look a bit greyer than the white countertop due to ligting. Can you clarify what color they really are TLLANE13?Judging from the modern look of the cabinets I would guess they are a truer white than they look in the photos . (All those great photos you see on HOUZZ and manuf.'s sites have had professional lighting---they usually bring in lots of those big bright lights when they do a photo shoot. But of course, I am sure you all knew that....) I do love Maria Killam's site--glad you like it and it was helpful. I just wish her books and webinars, etc. weren't so expensive, but I think they are geared to professional designers. I think one of the most helpful things about her site is that she explains what it is that effects how we see the colors, etc. We may be able to see the effects from trial and error, but not really understand WHY it is or isn't working together well. One thing from Maria's site that might help you, TLLane13, narrow down your choices is Ms. Killam's admonition to be careful about how the undertones go together (warm yellow, vs. cool blue, etc.) and being careful about mixing "clean" and "dirty" (greyed or muddied) colors together. For instance, if the greys in the marble backsplash (assuming that is what you want to keep) are warm in undertone, don't pair it with a grey that has a cooler bluish undertone. You can see undertones better when you hold it up to something else. (Hold two different greys together, for example.) Have fun shopping again. |
- Posted by may_flowers 8 (My Page) on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 12:13
TLLane, have you seen a solid-colored quartz countertop installed? Mine looks and feels like polished stone. Up close it appears as very fine "sand" with some spidery lines. I have heard some people describe quartz as fake and plasticy, but it's not at all. Maybe some of the patterns do look like that. |
This post was edited by may_flowers on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 12:14
- Posted by rococogurl (My Page) on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 13:06
@oldbat - great job. Best yet IMO as it pulls things together with the appliances, hardware and pendant. I also could see ss on permimeter with real calacatta on the island which would lighten things up, as I'd suggested above. Of course, TLL needs to love it. |
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 13:17
The stainless and white combination looks great. I think the all stainless is too dark. BTW, like mayflower I now have quartz (I had all granite in my previous home and affirmatively wanted Quartz this time - I like the look in a modern kitchen like mine). I'm not a huge fan of trying to replicate natural stone using non-natural materials, so I wouldn't personally go the quartz-that-looks-like-marble route, but my solid color (Ceasarstone Organic White) doesn't look or feel plasticky. (In case you want a solid color and can't fine one in natural stone that you like). |
If you can use the granite in the bathrooms without tearing up the backsplash that is what I would do. I know just how you feel. Sometimes it's hard to really know until it's finished how it's going to turn out. I love the black or gray perimeter with the backsplash you have up. Your backsplash is lovely with the cabinets. It sets them off so nicely. I think to do a solid subway on the splash would be so plain next to the cabinets and not only that it's hard to match whites i.e. the tile white with the cabinet white and then you will have to match a grout to both of those. Not to mention your Calacatta backsplash is so glamourous, a standout, it's a showstopper in and of itself. I would not get rid of that ever!! We put up a backsplash once that was expensive but very much wrong for the more modern kitchen. It was a pale green Tuscany type of glazed/crackled tile, gorgeous but looked just awful with my Corian and cabinets which are natural. After living with it for awhile and it bugging me every day I decided to change it. It was bullet proof and would not come down so they had to cut out the dry wall to get it out. Given a choice of taking out the BS or the countertop I'd go with the countertop though I can tell you when we replaced our countertops they had to sledge hammer them out. What a mess and the dust was awful. They busted them to pieces. I think you will be much happier if you can make the change and recycle the tops for the bathrooms. That's a great stone for a bathroom, too. |
Wow! Quite the thread with lots of opinions I am so glad you have a re-use option. Your BS is beautiful! Your counters are beautiful. Oldbat- great job on your PS! I love torquey but agree with others not to mix the quatrtz with your beautiful BS. Have you considered soapstone? I wonder if the right color might just do the trick. Will be watching for your final decisions |
I have quartz and it doesn't look or feel plasticky. Right now it's hard and cold like you'd expect a stone to be on a cold winter's day. My friend has Black Galaxy granite. It's lovely, but I was sure it was quartz until she set me straight. |
This is a recent post with some colors similar to what you have or are considering. No backsplash in yet. FWIW: |
Here is a link that might be useful: Threegraces' kitchen
- Posted by chesters_house (My Page) on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 22:06
Looking around at some new items I came across this. Not seeing it in real life, I don't know about movement. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Dekton
oldbat2be - I am poring over your photoshopped pictures! Thank you so much for helping me visualize all the various options. Sorta feel like I'm back to square one on all this. The cabinets are a true white, no hint of gray or cream...smooth, glossy and white as white can be. I snapped a pic with my phone mid day today and this one shows the colors a bit better. Oh and yes, there is plenty of under cabinet lighting but I don't think it makes the combination work any more or less with the lights on. New paint also went on the walls today...went with my all time favorite warm gray, Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. May have to post a follow up since I'm not sure how to post more than one photo at a time. With the new paint on the walls, I felt a little better about the current state of the kitchen but still not convinced that this is how I want to keep it longer term. I'm warming up to the idea of a solid quartz and I confess, I haven't seen it installed. I have seen patterned quartz (that mimics granite) installed in the kitchens of friends and family but I wasn't a fan. Maybe the solid colors are more to my liking. I am nervous though, that most of the grays in the quartz options I've seen are too cool to complement the warm gray tones of the backsplash and walls. And while stainless steel is an interesting option, I think there would be too much shine going on with SS and glossy cabs. Are there any quartzes or even super "quiet" granites with more of a matte/honed finish in softer gray tones?? |
And here is a shot of the spotless wall / patterned splash / crazy counter trifecta! Please ignore the random fish on the window. :) |
Have you made sure you can remove the granite without tearing up the backsplash? For some reason, I am under the impression that removing the countertop will also require removal of the backsplash. Please live with it for awhile. I like what you have. I think it is just not what was in your mind. If after 6 months, you totally despise it, then see what your options for removal are. |
- Posted by homebuyer23 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 9, 14 at 0:14
HI TLLane I haven't been able to read every post here, but I see your choices are similar to some of mine so I thought Id show you my kitchen. I also have Revere Pewter walls, I have a Calcutta marble island, solid gray quartz perimeter counters, and a cararra marble backsplash. I love the warmth of your Calcutta backsplash tiles. I'm not saying that I think you should necessarily get a solid gray quartz like I did, but so you can see the combo, I will post a picture and a link to my reveal. You are right to be careful, as you mentioned, about warm & cool grays. I love my counters and I think they work great with my backsplash. But sometimes I think they look a little more cool than what I was going for. FWIW, the more I look at your pics, the more I think I like what you have! |
Here is a link that might be useful: my reveal
I am up too late once again--but just had to see the photos. Your paint color looks awesome with your backsplash! On my monitor it seems to be the same color as one of your tiles--The 4th up from the counter next to the window trim. Is the accurate? Well now the decision should be easy: if you had to remove one of the hard surfaces, the backsplash matches the paint color more than the granite, so it has to stay! LOL. I just love that backsplash--classic elegance but modern, interesting and beautiful at the same time! Also-in this photo it looks like the grays on your backsplash are leaning more toward the warmer side in overall appearance than the granite, which looks more like it has cooler, blue undertones and more black--at least in the photo--maybe it is different in real life. So perhaps it is more than just the pattern differences that is contributing to your uneasiness about the combination and what is bothering you. Although I'm sure the granite has the same colors throughout as the backsplash, perhaps they are in different enough proportions that the effect is quite different in each? That would have been hard to predict (the overall effect over a large scale and in your lighting, etc. You seem to have a good eye for picking paint colors, though! Good night! |
Homebuyer23--I just had to stay up a few more minutes to tell you how beautiful I think your kitchen is. The grey with the backsplash and cabinets is fabulous! I think your kitchen could be in a magazine--or HOUZZ! |
I saw this on my phone the other day. I thought - too busy. But now that I see it on my laptop, I like it. Hope you can live with it awhile. No right or wrong here though. Your choice and money to redo it. |
- Posted by homebuyer23 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 9, 14 at 11:20
Omgosh Fun 2 learn, thank you so much! |
- Posted by francoise47 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 9, 14 at 19:06
Hi TLLane: I love Homebuyer23's kitchen as inspiration for your counter choice. One other idea, although a bit more of a traditional kitchen than yours: have you seen the Kitchen of the Month in the Dec/Jan 2014 House Beautiful? The designer selected a very plain light Silestone to go with the Calacatta Gold marble backslash. Here are two photos: |
Here is a link that might be useful: House Beautiful Calacatta Gold Kitchen
I like both the tiles and the countertop. When I saw the close up pics I saw what you were talking about though. I would put things on the counter... maybe a red/burgundy mixer for the red in the countertop. No one is going to get that close to your countertops. Hide it with pretty things! I would live with it for a while. Then before tearing it out why don't you put a 4-5" tall piece of thin wood painted your cabinet color or even a laminate or even thin tile to put a white separation between the counter and the backsplash. Maybe it would work. I know no one wants to go back to the 4" backsplash that was really thick so make it really thin. Good luck. Peke |
Francoise47 - YES, YES, YES! |
Wow. I love making one wall the focus. I just noticed that Lucky blue eye's picture with the painted beadboard has a thin piece of ???? as trim. That is what I was talking about. You could make it the height of one or two of your tiles. I like how it looks in Lucky blue eye's kitchen. |
- Posted by francoise47 (My Page) on Mon, Feb 10, 14 at 9:57
- Posted by may_flowers (My Page) on Mon, Feb 10, 14 at 10:20
I noticed that the HB kitchens are breaking up the white cabinetry with glass cabinets and open shelves, so TL's kitchen could look overwhelmingly white with white counters. It's probably a small kitchen too, with less hardwood flooring to balance out the white. |
francoise47 - THANK YOU! That HB kitchen is amazing - thanks for posting! I had originally planned to run the calacatta splash all the way up to the ceiling (around the window over the sink) but waffled at the last minute. Now, I realize I should have gone with my initial plan. The gorgeous calacatta splash really should be the star/focus of the kitchen and I think I may continue it on up to the ceiling...I just love that shot of the window from the HB kitchen! I just need to find a countertop that will complement but not compete with the marble. I think the two quartzes you posted may be too brown. Ceasarstone came out with a new color called "raw concrete" that looks intriguing...it's hard to tell the color without a sample but if it's really like a "wet cement" shade (warmer gray), it may work. Ceasarstone is also releasing a "calcatta classic" quartz in July but again...mixing real with fake may not be the best option. As much as I know I would love the look of a real calacatta slab on the island, it's just not practical. The island is quite large (4' x 7') and it's the real workhorse of the kitchen. The kids often sit at the island to eat, color, do projects, etc. and I know the etching and staining would be fast and furious. may_flowers - I agree with you that I am trying to avoid an "overwhelmingly white" look! I do have a couple of frosted glass uppers but the majority of the cabinets are just white, glossy and plain. The kitchen is actually a good size (15x24) so there is a good amount of dark hardwood flooring around the island. On a separate note (maybe I have to start a separate thread), the contractor that did our backsplash did not have a very artistic eye and used several tiles that I would have thrown out (small cracks, off coloring, etc.). Is it possible to crack out an individual tile without damaging the ones around it? I have a lot of tile left over and would want to replace several of them. I know it's doable with ceramic but wondering how difficult it is with marble tiles. Anyone know? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Ceasarstone Raw Concrete
- Posted by oohIlikethat (My Page) on Wed, Feb 26, 14 at 18:41
Have you ever heard of Quartzite? Not to be confused with Quartz, it's a natural stone that looks like marble but without the upkeep. It comes in many colors and here is a link to one |
Here is a link that might be useful: Taj Mahal
- Posted by oohIlikethat (My Page) on Wed, Feb 26, 14 at 18:53
more info on the natural stone quartzite, which is NOT quartz. |
Here is a link that might be useful: The lowdown on Quartzite and Marble
Both the counter and the backsplash tile are gorgous in themselves but complete for attention. I am waiting to see which you chose to remove. I love reading posts and trying to help as it has me thinking why everyone says my busy floor tile competes with my counter I chose. I decided to change the counter choice only because I have not installed it yet. It is not the worst match but it is no that complementary due to the competition with ach other. |
I really like your backsplash with the granite you've selected. The colors compliment each other very nicely. The combination does have a lot of movement, but it wouldn't bother me, and I think when you add some of your kitchen accents it will make everything pull together nicely. The movement adds a lot of life to your kitchen. I don't like the white toned, gray or black countertops with your backsplash. Your kitchen looks busier and uncoordinated (in my opinion) if you start chopping the colors of your countertops up. I also don't think you will be happy with a man made material next to that beautiful backsplash. Take a deep breath and live with your kitchen the way it is for a while. Try some different decorative accessories and see how you like things after some time passes. I truly believe you will regret ripping and tearing things up right now. You obviously went through a great deal of thought and expense and there is no guarantee at this point you will like a change any better, and the amount of stress would be horrible at this point. Believe me about the stress. And the mess. You can always change things later on down the road. Once you start ripping and tearing there is no going back. I would personally really have to hate something to go through that. |
TLLane13, I wish I had checked back earlier on this thread :) So, here's what happened with us. We wanted to do quartz but couldn't justify the price considering the neighbourhood (the total budget for the kitchen was about 8K to cover for new stove, fridge, floors and counters/backsplash and this is a house we'll sell in a few years). I LOVE marble but we cook a lot and mostly with things that stain etch so that was a no go. We found most granite too busy/uneven, especially in the lower prices. We found Virginia Mist as an orphan slab and got a killer deal on it (we only needed about 33sqft so I did all the fabricators to try to score a deal on something in inventory). Husband feared it may be too dark but in the end, it is perfect. It has some of the beauty of marble (the swirling/veining) but also some of the evenness of quartz. Our slab was not busy and while it's dark it really more a mid tone. We both really wanted subway tile in marble but I couldn't justify the fact that it was 20x time the price of the plain one, which worked really well. I also read a lot of horror stories of people grouting unsealed marble backsplashes and ruining it. This was our first tiling job so we wanted a very easy material (glazed tile). I'm attaching pictures so you can see what the counter looks like in place. We kept the old cupboards (refinished them) and put up the backsplash. Gives us a clean look and took the kitchen out of the 70s. I really LOVE your kitchen (but I'm with you on the fact that the counters compete). It's pretty much what we want in the next house in terms of layout scheme. I always joke that we bought VM as a discount granite and it's not my dream material for a kitchen. I think with a marble backsplash it could look stunning. Your space is very bright so I think I could work. There are also very beautiful quartzites that look like marble but I am unaware of the maintenance and expect they would be very pricy. Others would be more qualified to answer this (and it really depends of how the granite was installed) but there should be a gap (1/8 to ¼ inch) between your backsplash and counter. I'm not sure how much damage removing the granite would do to cabinets, etc but pros should be able to help. In any case, do keep us posted! Your kitchen is beautiful but I fully understand feeling like a design isn't realised. |
I recently saw a backsplash that reminded me of yours on the HGTV show, "Love it or List it, too." It was in a kitchen that also had white cabinets. It was paired with what looked like a quartz countertop in what I would call a dark taupe color and the combination looked beautiful together. It reminded me a bit of how your paint color looks (or like that one tile that I had thought matched your pain in your photo above) but darker. (This was in a beautiful home (it looked professionally decorated/remodeled) that the couple really liked and were considering buying (if they decided to "List" their own home). I'm sorry that I can't remember the episode! Just thought you might want to consider a taupe color as well as grey if you are still looking at options. |
Surprised to see this thread is still alive and kicking! Perfect timing too since the kitchen is "done" (for now) as of yesterday. After a lot of thought and consultation with a good number of contractors, we ended up swapping out the backsplash. We made a poor decision (primarily based on cost) on the first contractor who installed the tile and there were issues with the splash. The electrical outlets were not properly handled and the tile was badly spaced and downright "bumpy" in several areas. The contractor is now MIA...lesson learned. On the bright side, I found a beautiful, subtle marble tile (still wanted some element of marble in the kitchen) that I immediately fell in love with. It complements the counters without competing with them and this time around, I decided to tile all the way to the ceiling and around the window over the sink. It still stings to know that the first batch of tile ended up being a waste but I'm much happier with the results! |
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 11:51
That looks very nice! The tile recedes enough not to compete with the granite, but is still a standout itself! |
- Posted by annalyn123 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 12:27
I am so happy for you! I loved the granite and it would have been sad to pull up such a beautiful slab! Looks fabulous!!! |
- Posted by annalyn123 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 12:30
I was wondering just how much of a mess was it to remove the tile and prep the wall to retile? How long did it take them? |
- Posted by francoise47 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 12:48
Beautiful, and happy ending! You made an excellent choice with your new backslash. I'm so glad you still got a taste of the marble you love. And tiling all the way up and around the windows is a brilliant way of reinforcing the modern, clean lines of your beautiful kitchen. |
TTLane13, I love the new backsplash with the counters. I am glad you kept the counters as I felt they were beautiful. I love how you used the tile all around everything as it is subtle and will be easier to clean up in the kitchen now. I feel you made an excellent choice and still got Marble tiles like you wanted that you loved right away. I would love to see a close up of the marble tiles as I really love them and will have to decide on a backsplash when it is time to do my kitchen. Thank you for the update! So glad the end result came out so beautiful and you are happy with your new modern beautiful kitchen! |
Oh it looks great! What a beautiful end result to a sticky, messy process. |
Love your end result! |
it looks so great!. I would also like to know how the process went as I am too thinking of replacing a backsplash. |
- Posted by nosoccermom (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 21:22
This looks so much nicer!!! Your first and second backsplash should be required reading/viewing before picking BS tile. |
- Posted by bookworm4321 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 21:37
I think it was $$$ well spent. Kitchen is lovely now, and you would have not been able to relax with the former BS. Was it salvable, and possibly useable in a bathroom? |
Wow that's much nicer than what you had before. Congratulations! |
- Posted by LoneCowboy (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 22:06
wow I think it looks great! Totally matches your stainless steel theme! |
- Posted by firsthouse_mp (My Page) on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 22:22
I sure do love a happy ending! You were smart to swap something out. I think if you had left it, it would have bothered you every day. I honestly found the combination competing for attention. It now looks wonderful! Put some accessories in and take a "The END" pic for us all. This was a GREAT thread in how to spot a problem, ask for opinions, make a decision, then execute on a plan......FAB! |
annalyn123 - These things are always a mess and the clean up is the worst part! Thankfully, it didn't take all that long...about two days so not too horrible. It was worth the mess and disruption though! lynn2006 - Here is a close up photo. You can see the random gray veining of the marble up close but it's very subtle. Thanks for all the positive feedback! |
TLLane13, Your counters are gorgeous and your new backspash is very pretty and does not compete so it is easy on the eyes when looking at your beautiful kitchen. Thank you for sharing. |
This was the perfect solution. You ended up with an even more beautiful marble backsplash. The close up picture...I just love that marble. This thread should be required reading. |
- Posted by Plum_Blossom (My Page) on Mon, Mar 10, 14 at 13:15
Bravo to you for biting the bullet and taking the extra step to make your kitchen a place where you enjoy cooking. In a past life we tiled our kitchen in cobalt blue that looked great in the store but sucked all the light out of the room. For budgetary reasons, we had to live with it for much too long. Every time I walked into that room I grit my teeth. I am so glad that you stayed with the marble; it is gorgeous! We are now remodeling another house and have installed beautiful white traditional cabinets. I was on the fence about black vs. white/gray/black granite counter tops like yours. The discussion and photos have definitely helped me with my decision. I'm now leaning toward black with some light and medium inclusions. Black seems to anchor the cabinets and provide contrast that will highlight the design of the cabinets and the beautiful Spanish tiles that will go above the stove. Pictures when we are done. Thanks to all who took the time to share opinions and pictures. I am sure that you have helped a great many homeowners. |
Wow, your kitchen looks fabulous now, I'm so happy for you! I wouldn't have guessed that would make such a big difference but it definitely did. Love the tile all around the window. |
I remember that picture looking completely different on March 3. I could see veining. Now I just see light grey subways. Edit: picture back to normal. Gorgeous tile! |
This post was edited by romy718 on Sat, Mar 15, 14 at 15:22
Looks great! Do you mind sharing what the tile is and where you got it? |
- Posted by lcskaisgir none (My Page) on Sat, Mar 15, 14 at 15:34
Wow! That looks great! Not sure how I missed this because I was following along while you were trying to decide what to do. I must admit that when I started reading your post that you decided to change the backsplash (before seeing the photos), I was not expecting to like it as much as your old backsplash. But then I saw the photos and it's gorgeous! |
very pretty! What is the name of your granite and your sourcing for the new marble tile? |
I think the problem is the backsplash. Not that it isn't lovely, but it's got a large scale pattern compared to the granite which makes it pop. You certainly don't want to look for a granite that matches its punch. I do not think you will ever get the right colors in the slab of granite that don't create a different buzz.. I'm not sure is this application would allow it, but I've seen HGTV tile over tile. |
I'm taking back what I just posted. Don't replace anything. You are not going to notice it in 6 months. Just don't try to fix it with granite. |
- Posted by sjhockeyfan (My Page) on Mon, Aug 18, 14 at 12:06
FX, look at the posts from February 28th - the OP redid the tile - and it looks great! |
- Posted by arkansas_girl (My Page) on Tue, Aug 19, 14 at 6:50
I realize the job's already done but honestly, I think it was gorgeous both ways just different styles. The new kitchen is prettier but it was pretty before also. Glad you are happy with the new back splash! This is why people need to be careful with the tile and counters and not have too many different designs going on, either have "busy-ness" in the back splash OR the counter, not both. |
- Posted by Silmarwen77 (My Page) on Fri, Jan 23, 15 at 14:44
TLLane13, the new backsplash really did the trick and I think it looks lovely! Would you mind telling us what kind of marble it is and where you got it? We're in the middle of a kitchen reno ourselves and I wanted a subtle veined marble backsplash as well. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Kitchens Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here


text:
This is the largest of the Cavetto range. With its simple, coved frame this is a super stylish mirror.
For any queries about our mirrors, please do get in touch or visit our FAQs.We ship internationally.Dimensions
Diameter 81 cm
Depth 7.5 cm
Depth 7.5 cm
Includes everything needed to hang the mirror and is fitted with a recessed mirror plate to ensure a flush hanging position.
Lead time: up to 4 weeks.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hello and Welcome Grant! I hope you enjoy your time here! Welcome to the Family
Hello all,
My name is Grant and I'm posting here from Colorado Springs, CO. I'm a former cast member (college programmer on safari's) and I've bounced around from Scotland to California (and all sorts of places in between). I'm now a pass holder and my wife and I try to make it down to the sunshine state about 3 to 4 times a year (if we're lucky). That's all for now and Lou, the upgraded site is definitely cool!
What time is the 4 o'clock parade?
Hello and Welcome Grant! I hope you enjoy your time here! Welcome to the Family
WHAFTFCOL now who wants a cookie!?!Copy Right of S&B LLC.SITTM... We have an App for that!
Yeah, I like Ninja Rubber Duckies FCOL!
DWT is home to 25,000+ members!
We hope you enjoy it here, Grant!
Adam ~ A Proud D23 Charter Member!
Welcome to the boards!!!
Lord High Keeper of the Knowledge of Right and Wrong, Counselor in Moments of Temptation, and Guide along the Straight and Narrow Path and Oldest Active DWT/WDW Radio Member
DL: 1955* (1); WDW: 1977* (2), 1980* (2), 1985* (3), 1989* (3), 1996 (ASMu-3), 1999 (ASMo-3), 2000 (ASMu-2/PO-2), 2001 (ASMu-5), 2002 (ASMu-5), 2003 (ASMo-5), 2004* (8), 2004 (ASMo-8), 2005 (PC-10), 2006* (15), 2007* (20), 2008* (22), 2009* (26), 2010* (27), 2011* (32), 2012* (39), 2013* (36), 2013* (15), 2013* (9), 2013* (13), 2014* (40) 2014* (20) 2015* (3) Total Trips/Days = 28/380
*Off Property
Welcome to the neighborhood!
mini-V What will you celebrate?
Adult daycare for the kid inside you.
We welcome you to Disney fanatic fun.
P.U.S.H.-A mantra MOST will not understand.
Disney rocks, Walt was a genius.
Welcome aboard! Glad to have you here.


text:
Dr. Michael A. Neri Jr, MD
Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center
- 10800 Magnolia Ave
Riverside, CA 92505 - 1 Office Location
- (951) 353-2000
Dr. Michael A. Neri Jr graduated from the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in 1996. He works in Riverside, CA and specializes in Family Medicine. Dr. Neri Jr speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 19 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: Hahnemann University School of Medicine
Graduation Date: 1996
Hospital Affiliations: Not Available
Specialties: Family Medicine


text:
Learn How to Get Rid of Smell from our informative smell removal guides that are developed by odor experts. By utilizing our popular guides, you can keep your home or business smelling clean and fresh without spending a fortune. A smell free environment is also a sign of a healthy one. So it's important to remember to really get the smell out because it's a matter of your health and we do wish you well.
Best of Alpharetta Award for
Air Purifiers & Deodorizers
I AIR Gold Winner for
Best Company for Sustainability


text:
Being a parent and managing all that comes with that can be a challenge in today's overly busy and demanding lifestyle. Organizing children, family, work, and household is not easy. As parents, we want the best for our children and when childcare is required, we want to feel secure with our choice.
Safety, Affordability and Flexibility continue to be the 3 most important factors for parents considering their childcare options. Hosting an au pair addresses all 3 and offers you additional benefits and rewards for the children while building lasting relationships with young people from abroad.
San Francisco-based Agent Au Pair has been successfully helping families fill this need for over 10 years! We offer the expertise to guide you through the process to find the right fit for you and your family. Known for our high level of customer service, we pride ourselves in taking the time to get to know our host families on a personal level, ensuring that our exclusive matching is on target for each family. Hosting an au pair to care for your children and become a part of your family offers rewards far beyond traditional childcare and gives your children a gift that lasts a life time.


text:
About | Projects | Docs | Forums | Lists | Bugs | Get Gentoo! | Support | Planet | Wiki
On Sun, Nov 13, 2005 at 08:41:21PM -0500, William Yang wrote: > >>just curious, by why not use 'net-www/mod_auth_mysql' and store your > >>users in a MySQL DB? > >Because I want a single place for storing users that all services will > >auth against, which also means ssh and so forth. I know that pam_mysql > >will bring me most of the way, but I have my doubts about using > >nss_mysql (which is also not in Portage). Call me crazy, but I neither > >trust the security nor stability of mysql :) > >Plus I already have experience with LDAP... > I run a production ISP environment--http/ftp, e-mail, limited user > shells, RADIUS dialup auth--using pam_mysql, and have for more than a > year. There have been no stability issues and, to date, no security > problems that we've detected. > The biggest problem has to do with performance, which nscd was excellent > for. NSCD does odd things when the MySQL queries return numbers > significantly smaller than the number of rows in the user auth tables -- > I found that it would periodically just crash when I had disabled or > locked-out accounts. A daemon which checks and restarts core services > was all I needed to take care of it, though. If you have daemons that crash periodically and needs to be restarted, I would say that counts as stability issues. At least it does in my book. But if you can live with it, then it's all good. I prefer the stability of LDAP however :) -- Anders -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK----- Version: 3.12 GCS/O d--@ s:+ a-- C++ UL+++$ P++ L+++ E- W+ N(+) o K? w O-- M- V PS+ PE@ Y+ PGP+ t 5 X R+ tv+ b++ DI+++ D+ G e- h !r y? ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------ PGPKey: http://random.sks.keyserver.penguin.de:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xD4DEFED0 -- firstname.lastname@example.com mailing list
Updated Jun 17, 2009
Summary: Archive of the gentoo-security mailing list.
Donate to support our development efforts.
Your browser does not support iframes.


text:
Kiwi Experience has an attitude that sets it apart. Its a very Kiwi attitude - relaxed, hassle-free, easy-going and, well, real! Kiwi Experience is ideal for independent travellers who are young (or young at heart) and looking for adventure in one of the worlds most beautiful countries.
Kiwi Experience is a flexible hop on, hop off bus operation that allows travellers a whole year to complete their New Zealand journey stopping off en route to take in the sights, the activities and the people.
The Kiwi Experience network gets visitors off the beaten track and into the real New Zealand - Maori culture, bungy jumping, skydiving, hiking up a glacier, or experiencing any number of the other wonderful opportunities New Zealand offers and, of course, to party with their travelling mates! Kiwi Experience is exceptional value for money and the ultimate in flexibility and fun.
For more information: www.kiwiexperience.com
Find us on:


text:
Buy Novosoft Office Backup Professional 3.3.7
Click to buy: http://www.office-backup.com/order.shtml
Professional backup solution allows doing quality backups of digital data including mail, hard drive images, ODBS-compatible databases, and recording it to CD, DVD, Blu-ray, HD DVD, FTP/SFTP, external drives. In addition, the program allows running backup tasks in a Windows service mode, which means multiple users can run backups on the same computer not interfering with each other. The program can operate under Windows Vista/2000/XP/2003.


text:
King James Version (KJV) | New International Version (NIV) |
1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. | 1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, |
The King James Version is in the public domain. (The King James Bible Version Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


text:
Café laundromat
washing clothes and having a coffee
This photo was shot on film. Taken by shoujoai with a Lomo LC-Wide (available in our Online Shop) loaded with Lomography X-Pro Chrome 100 film in Reykjavik, Iceland. Date: 2012-09. Time: Dusk. This photo can also be found in the albums Reykjavik: Favorites ♥Iceland #6 Laundromat Café.Please login to get more out of this site
You are currently not logged in, do so now to add comments, like articles as well as photos, submit to competitions, translate articles and gain access to unlimited photo upload! If you are not registered yet, go here to find out more about Lomography and join now! If you just want a limited account for now you can use Twitter or Facebook. We would love to have you as a member here!
35 people like this photo
Liking photos helps us to present the best ones to you and others. 35 people like this photo. 35 people like this photo: gepo1303, whynotwinnipeg, jawatembak, frau_wo, earlybird, wapclub, wuxiong, adash, opon21, rafaeldelagreg, yokekei, anjinho, bloomchen, kleeblatt, dida, atria007, oldstandby, lakritz, adamo-75, dreamseller, alessandroleen, olga_primavera, tiano, sexyinred, kekskonstrukt, ikeagirl, zeester, moodification, masha_njam, landei, alexyz, tsingtao, red_constructor, grazie, and mafiosa.
2 comments
and in st.pete we have bar - where you can wash drink and dance :)
@masha_njam: sounds great! I wish I had found something like that when searching for a laundary :D
Where is this?
Nearby popular photos – see more
Nearby LomoLocations
Borgarbókasafns Reykjavíkur, Reykjavik City Library
The Reykjavik City Library is one of my favorite places in the town. I seek shelter there wh…
Rainbow Reykjavík
I never did such a planned travel with a travel organisation before – normally I prefer orga…
Winter Wonderland Memories: Reykjavik
I've been living in Reykjavik for five years now. I've seen storms, blizzards, and all kinds…
Reykjavik 101.40 (and around...) Iceland
I'm a new lomographic photographer, discovering the Diana with fun and lot of pleasure!!! i …


text:
At Home in Baros Maldives
Guests who stay in an elegant Maldives Villa can treat themselves to the finest things in life without a care; they can feel at home in the luxury Villas of Baros. There are 45 beachside and 30 over-water Villas on Baros Maldives. All are beautifully designed, built by craftsmen using sandstone and timber to blend with the natural environment. All have fine furnishings, large windows to let in natural light, and are timeless in ambience. As well as having a private veranda or sun deck, sun loungers and a teak dining table for two, each Villa has a spacious, teak-floored bedroom featuring a king-size bed with soft cotton sheets and pillows, as well as a vanity desk and a large sofa or day bed. All have direct access to the beautiful lagoon by the beach from the veranda or by wooden steps from the sun deck.
All Villas on Baros Maldives feature:
- Bathtub and separate shower
- Beach Bag & Flip Flops
- Beach Sun Loungers
- Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access
- Deluxe bathrobes, slippers
- Electric kettle with complimentary tea selection
- Espresso machine with complimentary premium coffee capsules
- Flat screen television
- Generous wardrobe space
- Hair dryer
- IDD telephone
- In-Villa bar stocked to guest requirements
- In-Villa safe
- iPod docking station
- Iron & ironing board
- Individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan
- Make up/shaving mirror
- Open-air bathroom and outdoor rain shower in all beach villas
- Pillow Menu
- Surround sound system with DVD/CD player
- Weighing Scale
- Wine chiller with notable wines and champagnes
- Yoga mats


text: :eek1 OK I give. Really, I need to learn to make a curly ribbon or I will loose what little sanity I have left. :hairpull: First let me say, I need a tut or a free plug in, just am not in the position to purchase anything right now. I tried Vizros - alas it is no longer free, I have PS7 - which I use and PSE3 which I have been avoiding like the plague. CS2 is sitting very patiently over by Alex's desk just waiting to be incorporated into my plethora o' software but I have been beating it back with a stick because I really don't want to have to learn another dang program. I have 15 million filters (and don't think that's an exaggeration cause it's not lol) Today I even went so far as to use tear, seperate the tears, reattached them, copied it, flipped it behind the top layer to try and simulate a curly ribbon ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!! :head_hurts_kr: Somebody out there is holding onto this information as though it were the meaning of life! :bigeyes: :bigeyes: Share, please??? Oh and don't even get me started on bows!!! :sad44:


text:
Hello, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me a clear explaination. I've been told both yes and no but I have a neighbor who just bought a dwarf peach tree and it's adorable!! It's not really blooming yet but has flowers budding. She gave me a couple cuttings that are the width of pencils. Last night I dipped them in rooting hormone and put them in a pot with a plastic cover and heated bottom by a bright window. Will I get anything, you think?? Thanks for your time.
deanna |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by wildforager 5b-WI (firstname.lastname@example.com) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 3:10
The cuttings may take off. You'd get better luck with soft wood cuttings. Are you aware that you will not have the same adorable tree like your neighbor? Any cuttings that you get to sprout roots will be a standard tree. If you want a dwarf like your neighbor you'll need to graft the cuttings onto dwarf rootstock. Hope this helps. -Little John |
- Posted by bigbloomer Houst. TX-zone8 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 30, 09 at 9:06
Thank you so much for the reply. Now say I get it to root, what kind of rootstock should I look for? This will be a fun little project, thanks Little John. |
- Posted by wildforager 5b-WI (firstname.lastname@example.com) on Tue, Mar 31, 09 at 17:37
bigbloomer, If you get it to root you'll have a standard tree and won't need rootstock. If you want to make a semi dwarf tree you could graft a scion (cutting) onto a wild plum (prunus americana). That would be a nice tree and it would be fairly compact for the urban setting (12-15 ft tall). You could order rootstock online otherwise or find a group of friends to go in on an order since there are usually minimum orders with the online nurseries. Maybe your neighbor will let you have a snippet of root from her tree? That would work well if you had a good idea how to graft the stock and scion. A great book I just found at the library is called "the Grafters Handbook" check it out. Good Luck!! |
- Posted by Jace 8(firstname.lastname@example.com) onSun, Apr 24, 11 at 13:41
It may be wrong to assume that your cutting will produce standard size peach trees. There are genetic dwarf varieties of peaches. I have one - Bonanza being one of them. |
- Posted by TimmyTucker none (My Page) on Thu, Jan 24, 13 at 5:22
dwarf peach and nectarines are cutting grown commercially |
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Jan 24, 13 at 10:15
hey BB ... simply as another source.. you might want to take this to the peeps in the fruit forum .... but in my mind ... if the plant is easily rooted.. there would be little reason to invest in grafting ... so when i see a grafted tree.. its easy to think to myself.. rooting is not an option ... not that it cant be done.. just that the odds are long and hard ... the dwarf may have been grafted twice.. one graft for roots to standard/trunk .. and a second for the fruit ... now.. all that said.. great experiment.. keep us posted.. they should be potted.. and in a humidity chamber [plastic bag] .. out of direct sun ... but as bright as possible.. and a good rooting media would help ... but again.. the fruit peeps will add or correct any of my nonsense.. lol ... [and brandon.. dont get yourself in a huff because i am referring them to another source of info ... lol] good luck!!!! ken |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Plant Propagation Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here


text:
Daily deal: Sandy days and sultry nights in South Beach
Enjoy a relaxing evening dip in a poolside jacuzzi.
The days are getting longer and the nights warmer, which has put you in the mood for three things: sand, surf, and slinky attire for the glammest of parties.
Pack your best bikinis or trunks and hop a direct flight to South Beach, where you're staying in the fabulous Art Deco district's Shelborne South Beach.
Your sun-kissed Escape includes a one-night stay in either a Standard ($99) or an Ocean View ($129) Room in this hotel that rocks modern and sexy in a whole new way.
Things will start heating up the moment you take in a panoramic view of South Beach (or the Atlantic) from your spacious guest room appointed in geometric patterns and funky furniture that suit its Art Deco neighborhood.
Beyond your designer bath products, you'll also have the use of free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, access to the Shelborne's pristine beachfront pool (complete with Jacuzzis), a continental breakfast for two, and an open-bar happy hour starting at 6 pm each night.
Feel the mercury rise as you head down to the white sands, just steps beyond the hotel, for a day of catching rays. Or, take a laid-back walking tour of some of the hundreds of Art Deco-style buildings that give this district a distinct, yet whimsical, feel.
Take in a show at the Jackie Gleason Theater or work up a sweat just watching the Miami Heat play in the nearby Sun Life Stadium. Then, of course, dial this vacation up a notch with a night out at Cameo or LIV, and feel those warm nights get hot, hot, hot.
Escape kit
- A one-night stay for two in a standard ($99) or ocean view room ($129)
- Daily continental breakfast for two
- Open-bar happy hour each night
- Access to beachfront pool and wi-fi
- Book by 10 May
For details and to reserve your stay, visit LivingSocial Escapes. Then start planning your trip with our Miami travel guide.


text:
Site News
Andrew Rodman, Editor of Oregon Tilth's In Good Tilth Magazine, Beats Back Cancer on His Own Terms
Using traditional and alternative medicine combined with the power of positive thinking, Andrew fights and recovers from cancer.
NRCS Initiatives Offer Financial Assistance for Energy Audits, High Tunnels and Organic Operations
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) unveils three initiatives aimed to help producers conserve energy, extend the growing season, and assist organic production; applications for the first ranking period are due by Feb. 3, 2012.
Long-running Experiment Shows Organic Farming Is Profitable
Organic crop systems can provide similar yields and much higher economic returns than a conventional corn-soybean rotation, according to thirteen years of data from a side-by-side comparison at Iowa State University's Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm.
Share Photos of your Organic Operation with the NOP
The National Organic Program (NOP) is encouraging organic operations to share images of their farms and processing facilities for use in NOP newsletters.
Oregon Tilth's Comments to the NOSB Fall Meeting
The next NOSB meeting will take place November 29th through December 2nd in Savannah, GA. Oregon Tilth submitted written comments on five different topics on the meeting agenda.
Don't Miss This Opportunity to Expand your Business in the EU and Worldwide
Join OTA on a Trip in the Netherlands, the EU's Logistical Point of Entry
USDA Invites Comments on Use of Tetracycline, Other Substances
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting comments on a proposed rule published today that addresses the use of three substances in organic agriculture: tetracycline, formic acid and attapulgite.
Vote for Oregon Tilth!
GreenCupboards.com Gives has kicked off and Oregon Tilth is a finalist!! The reward for the company with most votes is a substantial donation from GreenCupboards.com
Biofach 2012 Table Top Offer
OTA is once again hosting first-time exhibitor table tops at Biofach, Nuremberg 2012. Biofach is the leading organic show worldwide that draws exhibitors and show attendees from 128 countries.
NOP - updated 2010-2012 strategic plan
The National Organic Program (NOP) has released an updated version of its 2010-2012 strategic plan to reflect its accomplishments thus far, and refine its future projects.
Consumers win the right to know about their food
State of Ohio dropping regulation in face of organic community pressure
Comprehensive Organic Gardening Course - Fall 2011
From September 28-October 19, Oregon Tilth's Organic Education Center taught a wonderful group of aspiring and seasoned gardeners how to garden organically!
USDA Supports Research and Marketing of Organic Agriculture in 18 States
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today 23 new grants to research and extension programs working to help organic producers and processors grow and market high quality organic agricultural products.
Help Protect Organic in the 2012 Farm Bill
In order to reach deficit reduction requirements, Members of Congress are currently facing the daunting task of determining where the unprecedented spending cuts can, and will, come from.
Ruminant Livestock Producers in NM and TX Granted Temporary Variance
Due to severe drought, the USDA is granting ruminant livestock producers in the following New Mexico and Texas counties with a temporary variance: NM counties: Catron, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, San Miguel, and Socorro. TX counties: Bastrop, Lamb, and Travis.
Fall 2011 NOSB Meeting
The National Organic Standards Board welcomes your comments on their fall agenda items and other topics. Please submit your comments electronically via regulations.gov. Deadline: November 13, 2011
Organic Trade Resource Guide
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has unveiled a new Organic Trade Resource Guide website to help facilitate international trade in organic agricultural products.
Canada Organic Office Updates Q&A Page
These questions were first posted as drafts, subject to a 60 day comment period. The Standards Interpretation Committee considered all comments and revised some responses accordingly.
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY2012 Agriculture Funding Bill
The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed its Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill on Sept. 7. This bill contains the Senate's recommended funding levels for USDA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) programs.
Organic Representative Among Appointees to Ag Advisory committees
USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have announced 148 private-sector appointees to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACS)


text:
We hope that every member will want to support the Campaign for Children at some level.
Speak with your financial planner about designing your finances to support the people and causes you love.
Nneka I. Iloanusi, MBBS; University of Nigeria - Teaching Hospital Beatrice Mulama, MBChB, MMed ; Kenyatta National Hospital
Tal Laor, MD Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Carrie B. Ruzal-Shapiro, MD Columbia University, New York, NY
The 2013 Fun Run was a great success. Stay tuned for news about the 2014 run in Washington DC:
Fun Run in San Antonio
Visit our secure payment site (linked on the Home page) to make a donation to the Foundation.
If you would like to arrange for a Memorial, Honorary or larger gift, contact SPR's Executive Director, Jennifer Boylan at 703-648-0680 or firstname.lastname@example.com. You may also wish to review the form available at this link.
Oh, and thank you!
Your ideas for the gestures that would mean the most to you may be addressed to the SPR Board of Directors or any member of the Foundation Board or Development Committee.
If you are interested in making a pledge, click the link above or review the form above. Your questions will be gently answered by Dr. Stuart Royal, Chair of the Development Committee or Jennifer Boylan.
Contact Jennifer Boylan, SPR's Executive Director, for more information


text:
The Lowel Rifa eXchange 300 Watt Tungsten-Halogen Lamp Module is a push-turn head for the redesigned Rifa-EX softbox lights. It fits all the Rifa-EX boxes.
The idea behind this is versatility. Choose this module for your Rifa-EX 88, 66, 55 or 44 softbox light, with 125-300 Watts at 120-240 AC, or 50-100 Watts at 12 Volts, or 200 Watts DC.
Choose the TH-X1000 for your Rifa-EX 88, 66, or 55 softbox light, with 500 - 1000 watt lamps, 120 or 240 AC voltage.
For an incandescent or fluorescent lamp with standard Edison screw base, try the FLO-X1.
For a fixture that accepts 3- fluorescent screw-in lamps, order the FLO-X3.
- Adds Versatility
- Choose between low or high wattage halogen, screw-in fluorescent or incandescent lamps, using different modules.
- Easy Change
- Each available module connects with a quick twist of the wrist.
- Retrofit Service Available
- Update your standard Rifa-lite to a Rifa-EX by contacting Lowel for its Retrofit service, or a do-it-yourself Retrofit Kit (800-334-3426, 718-921-0600).


text:
Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Vernon, California, the Los Angeles suburb where two city managers and a mayor were convicted of malfeasance in the past 25 months, triggering a series of audits and investigations, is returning to the bond market.
The city, which is home to 1,200 businesses employing 50,000 people yet has a population of 112, will offer $74.3 million of securities backed by revenues from its municipal utility, according to a prospectus. The bonds, to be sold as soon as Jan. 10, will be used to finance upgrades to Vernon's electric grid and pay interest and principal on a 2009 issue.
The 5-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) community, which fought off efforts by state lawmakers to dissolve it last year because of alleged corruption, is one of at least three California cities set up specifically as manufacturing hubs more than 100 years ago.
"Operating results are on the low side, relative to other utilities," said Kevork Khrimian, an analyst for Moody's Investors Service, which lowered its rating on the city's $476 million in electric enterprise bonds to Baa1, the third-lowest investment level, from A3 on Dec. 6.
The downgrade reflected the city's "stagnant" power demand, high debt burden and obligation to purchase natural gas under a long-term contract, according to a Moody's report.
Tax-exempt electric revenue bonds Vernon issued three years ago and maturing in 2021 traded yesterday at a price that yielded the investor an average of 4.52 percent, or about 50 percent higher than a Bloomberg index of 10-year power bonds.
Mayor Convicted
Leonis Malburg, Vernon's mayor for 50 years, was convicted in December 2009 of charges including voter fraud for falsely claiming residence in the city. Last May, former City Manager Bruce Malkenhorst pleaded guilty to taking $60,000 in city money for personal expenses, the Los Angeles County District Attorney said in a statement at the time. Donal O'Callaghan, another former city manager, pleaded guilty in July to conflict-of- interest charges, according to a statement from the district attorney's office.
Anthony Murray, an attorney for Malburg, and Mark Werksman, who represented 0'Callaghan, declined to comment. Jeffrey Wittenberg, a lawyer for Malkenhorst, said he couldn't immediately respond.
California Assembly Speaker John Perez, a Democrat from Los Angeles, pressed for legislation last year that would have disincorporated the city due to its history of public corruption. Vernon's City Council passed reforms that included adjusting public employee salaries to match comparable municipalities and appointing an independent ethics adviser. Local union and business leaders lobbied against disincorporation, saying it would cause businesses to flee, and the state Senate in August rejected Perez's proposal.
'Stronger City'
"Despite what anyone inside or outside of the City of Vernon might say, the changes enacted over the past 12 months to implement a series of municipal reforms have made Vernon a stronger city and more unified community," City Administrator Mark Whitworth said in a Dec. 23 statement.
Whitworth, who also serves as Vernon's fire chief, has worked for the city's fire department for 22 years.
The Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of $419 million of Vernon's electric revenue bonds issued in 2009 with no change to the position that the interest received on those bonds is tax-exempt, according to a statement and copy of the IRS letter released by the city Dec. 22.
Vernon is still the subject of at least two audits and investigations, according to the offering statement. The California Public Employees' Retirement System is auditing the city's member enrollment and compensation to see if it's in compliance with state law. The state Bureau of Audits is examining the Light and Power department's operational structure and compensation.
--Editors: Pete Young, Jeffrey Taylor
To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Palmeri in Los Angeles at email@example.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at email@example.com