Let's get going with some kitchen updates! Yippee!! Last week I talked about our plans for the space, most of which we knew we wanted to do even before we moved in. The first thing that had to happen to move forward, then, was installing new countertops.
Installing Quartz Countertops in the Kitchen
A huge thanks to Caesarstone for providing product for this post! My favorable opinion of gorgeous, high quality countertops is 100% my own. 🙂 For more information, see my disclosures here.
Here's what our countertops looked like on the day that we moved into the house:
They were laminate. Actually, I think our builder called them "3D laminate" maybe? As I explained in our "kitchen plans" post, because we went with a community builder (we built a Palermo model with Ryan Homes) instead of a custom home, some of our options were limited.
Since we had quartz in our last house and loved it (Caesarstone Organic White), I was pretty committed to doing quartz in the new house as well.
our renovated kitchen in the townhouse
Caesarstone Organic White countertops
Sadly, our builder didn't offer any quartz options at all, and with a community builder, we couldn't just say "leave it out" and install our own later. We had to pick one of their choices and then replace it after we closed on the house. Kind of silly, but it was the only option we had!
So when we made our picks for the house, we just had them put in the basic counters that came with the house package, knowing that we would be replacing them soon after we moved in. (And hopefully getting the old ones to someone who could get some good use out of them!)
After looking at many, many quartz options, I ultimately came back to Caesarstone's London Grey, which was actually one of the options I found when we were looking for quartz for the townhouse.
Pretty, right?! I couldn't wait to get it into our kitchen!
Because the holidays aren't crazy enough on their own, we decided to throw a counter install into the midst of it (which is why you may be able to spot our Christmas decorations in some of the photos)! 😉
When we had the countertops installed at the townhouse it was a pretty cut and dry process, so I thought this one would be fairly easy as well. And it was... until the power went out. Apparently there was a planned power outage scheduled for the exact time we were having the counters put in, except no one from the electric company told us about it! Yikes!
The installers from Ultimate Granite were SUCH troopers! (If you're in Pittsburgh, PA, I highly recommend them!) We were able to get a generator so they could use the tools they needed, and thankfully it was a sunny day so they could see without the lights. (And it didn't get too cold in the house with no heat-- eek!) They never missed a beat, and we ended up with the gorgeous quartz countertops we were hoping for!
With so much light coming in from the sunroom, it is hard to see the details of the design in the quartz in these photos that are further away, but it is much more evident from closer up.
I love that they have a marble-like look, but without the tedious upkeep. One of the reasons we keep going back to quartz is that it's so easy to maintain. We never have to worry about sealing them, and I don't feel like I constantly have to be watching over the boys when they're in the kitchen-- I know any spills will wipe right up!
Here's an overhead shot of the new sink area (which I'll be talking more about soon!). You can see how the gray really pops off the white, which I love!
I am so excited that the kitchen updates are underway and could not be more thrilled with the progress so far! It feels great to be able to start checking off of our to-do list:
Replace the countertopsReplace the faucetReplace the sink- Add more substantial trim to the island
- Replace the island corbels
- Add pendant lights
- Install a backsplash
- Paint the walls
- Accessorize!
I'm excited to see all of the other pieces fall into place, and I'm sure I'll be back with more updates soon!
If you missed any of the other posts in our kitchen series, you can catch up here:
Plans for Orchard House Kitchen
First Things First: Installing Hardware
Beautiful and Affordable Kitchen Island Pendant Lights
Orchard House White Kitchen Reveal
How to Add Custom Trim to a Kitchen Island
How to Install a Marble Subway Tile Backsplash
DIY Craftsman Style Cased Opening
5 Tips for Creating a Beautifully Organized Pantry
How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink
How to Organize the Refrigerator
How to Organize Food Storage Containers
How to Create an Organized Junk Drawer
Working with a smaller kitchen space? These posts about the kitchen in our townhouse may be helpful:
How to Organize a Small Kitchen
How to Organize a Small Refrigerator
How to Organize a Kitchen Pantry
Hope you're having a wonderful week!
A huge thanks to Caesarstone for providing product for this post! My favorable opinion of gorgeous, high quality countertops is 100% my own. 🙂 For more information, see my disclosures here.
Your new countertops are beautiful! I'm sure you must enjoy having all that extra work space in your new kitchen, too.
Oh, yes! Such a difference from the townhouse! LOVING it! 🙂
~Abby =)
Abby, Several years ago we remodeled our kitchen. We chose black countertops.
Now I'm really sorry. I think the best thing I can do is paint my kitchen walls white.
Your kitchen is beautiful. I also loved the remodel you did on your small kitchen.
Very creative!
Thanks so much, Barbara! <3
~Abby =)
These turned out so pretty! I love the color combination with the white & gray! Can’t wait to see what you do with the backsplash!
I'm excited to see it, too! 🙂 Thanks so much, Brittany!
~Abby =)
LOVE your countertops! I have a mixed brown/black/tan/beige granite, But going forward I'd opt for the lighter colors. Great choice!
Thanks so much, Linda! I'm definitely happy with our choice! Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I love the new countertops!!!!! And that sink! Love, love, love! The upgrades are so worth it! And way to do it now vs waiting until years down the road!
Thanks so much, Kimberly! I am LOVING how they turned out! 🙂
~Abby =)
Such a awesome, your countertops are beautiful. I will used this kitchen style in my new house, my husband and children really like your kitchen collection.
Thanks so much, Merry! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
These counters are gorgeous, they are just what i would choose. But how are you going to replace your sink now that the counters are in? That sink looks amazing and I don't think it needs replacing but I saw it on your list 🙂
Thanks so much, Heather! The countertop installation people changed out the sink for us before they put the counter on top! 🙂
~Abby =)
Very Pretty! I love the WHITE! We are in the process of upgrading our countertops and I was just thinking today that we might not have a kitchen for a a couple of days while they intstall. How long did it take them from start to finish?
Only about 4 hours!
I love the look of the quartz that is looks like marble. I never knew that was available. I love your style how it is clean and simple, but yet still femine and elegant. Can't wait to see more changes in the future
You are too sweet! Thanks, Kimberly! <3
~Abby =)
All of the white definitely opens this kitchen space right up. Right now I am in a 1200 square foot apartment and a floating island is my dream. Addicted to to your sense of style.
XOXO,
Rachael
https://www.asoutherndrawl.com/
Aw, thanks so much, Rachael! You're too sweet! Have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Your new countertops are lovely! I can't believe the installers had to do it while the power was out! Tisk, tisk power company! lol -- our power went out yesterday morning before the sun came up and I was just thankful I'd kept 4 candles in our last purge so I could at least get some work done by candle and flashlight! I'm glad it all worked out in the end, though. 🙂 Can't wait to see more!
It certainly wasn't ideal! Lol! Thanks so much, Megan! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
This is just lovely! Do you use a special cleanser for your counter/sink? The house we just bought has a granit sink and I heard I was pretty high maintenance...?
The quartz has been fairly easy to keep clean! Soap and water with the occasional windex wipe down.
Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Abby,
Could you tell me if your quartz countertops are honed or polished? We are thinking of going for London Grey as well but are strongly advised to go for the polished version because honed would stain more easily. Would love to hear your experiences!
Kind regards,
Marianne
Hi, Marianne! We have had polished in both kitchens where we've done quartz, and they've held up beautifully! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)