If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

What type of countertops do you have in the kitchen? I just can't help but think that granite is too modern looking for our house. I want something that will hold up, but with a more classic look, but I don't know what it is I'm looking for! Help!

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I live in Pittsburgh, and most of the houses are old victorians. All of the ones that have been renovated have granite or marble countertops, but more frequently with white cabinets instead of more modern looking ones. Also, they have often gone with stainless appliances.

The non renovated ones like we are renting in have ugly 70's laminate.

I think most people now are doing a more modern kitchen, even in a traditional house.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I love the look of granite with the farmhouse apron sink for an older home.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

i think a more "matte" stone would look great with an older home... something not so shiny.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Hmm, I didn't even think about a more matte granite. Now I have to go ponder this some more Thanks, everyone! If anyone has any other ideas, throw em at me!

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

rachel,

here's a pic of a "honed" black granite... it's really beautiful! low sheen



edited to fix pic

Message edited 4/8/2008 11:00:44 AM.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

We have a 1920's colonial and wanted to keep the look of all our renovations so they fit with the age of the house. When we did the kitchen I picked creamy white cabinets and a lighter color granite (beige/copper/cream colored), and I think it fits.

I also love soapstone and honed granite.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I'm leaning towards VT soapstone. I saw it at a home show and fell in love with it. It can be more matte than granite, which I like:

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Our house was built in 1920 and still has a lot of the old detail to it, such as the original moldings, doors, etc. We have a dark granite countertop in the kitchen that looks really nice and doesn't look out of place in the home. The previous owners put it in, and while I probably wouldn't have chosen the color, it really does work. If I could have picked, I would have gone with a lighter countertop and white cabinets, like some other posters have said.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

This is one of my biggest pet peeves while watching home renovation shows -- ultra modern kitchens that don't take into account fit and flow with the rest of the house.

I'm not a fan of the typical glossy granite, but a more matte finish might look nice. And I agree with a PP about an apron sink -- love those!

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I think it's pricey, but you can also look into wood countertops.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

My BIL has a circa 1800's farmhouse in Orient. He put in soapstone counters and a sink. It looks really good.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

How about butcher block? It not too expensive, either, which is always a plus!

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I soapstone!

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm really excited to start looking for something now that I know there are a few options out there

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I Love soapstone.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

I love soapstone too and I prefer honed marble or granite over polished.

Here is a pic of a kitchen in a house DH built in Watermill, its brand new but it supposed to look old. The counters are honed marble

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

what about a silestone? we just moved from a house that we bought ..built in 1901..my taste is more traditional..with that old world flare..mouldings etc...

we went with a silestone..it was awesome..and i miss it..it DOES NOT stain and so easy to maintain..holds heat as well. but it is more $$$ than granite. i think whatever decor you do will be perfect for the old look..going with a durable more practical countertop is best IMO. ss

so much to choose from but so exciting isnt it?

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Granite is def not modern, I have a traditional colonial and granite fits right in.

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

have you considered concrete

thats what were doing..our home is i think 60 years old

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...

Re: If you have a colonial or other old home and want to keep it in the "style"...