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.
Cathy says
January 19, 2017 at 6:52 amYour new countertops are beautiful! I’m sure you must enjoy having all that extra work space in your new kitchen, too.
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2017 at 10:17 amOh, yes! Such a difference from the townhouse! LOVING it! 🙂
~Abby =)
Barbara says
January 19, 2017 at 6:55 amAbby, 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!
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2017 at 10:17 amThanks so much, Barbara! <3
~Abby =)
Brittany Wise says
January 19, 2017 at 8:09 amThese turned out so pretty! I love the color combination with the white & gray! Can’t wait to see what you do with the backsplash!
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2017 at 10:16 amI’m excited to see it, too! 🙂 Thanks so much, Brittany!
~Abby =)
Linda Pemberton says
January 19, 2017 at 9:30 amLOVE your countertops! I have a mixed brown/black/tan/beige granite, But going forward I’d opt for the lighter colors. Great choice!
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2017 at 10:16 amThanks so much, Linda! I’m definitely happy with our choice! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Kimberly says
January 19, 2017 at 10:04 amI 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!
justagirlabby says
January 19, 2017 at 10:15 amThanks so much, Kimberly! I am LOVING how they turned out! 🙂
~Abby =)
Merry says
January 20, 2017 at 12:02 amSuch 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.
justagirlabby says
January 21, 2017 at 9:31 amThanks so much, Merry! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Heather says
January 21, 2017 at 9:44 amThese 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 🙂
justagirlabby says
January 23, 2017 at 1:24 pmThanks so much, Heather! The countertop installation people changed out the sink for us before they put the counter on top! 🙂
~Abby =)
Shari Carter says
January 21, 2017 at 12:40 pmVery 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?
Donnie Lawson says
February 8, 2017 at 10:27 amOnly about 4 hours!
Kimberly says
January 23, 2017 at 12:22 pmI 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
justagirlabby says
January 23, 2017 at 1:09 pmYou are too sweet! Thanks, Kimberly! <3
~Abby =)
Rachael Bucey says
January 23, 2017 at 10:02 pmAll 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/
justagirlabby says
January 24, 2017 at 10:49 amAw, thanks so much, Rachael! You’re too sweet! Have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Megan @ Adventure & Home says
January 24, 2017 at 6:40 amYour 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!
justagirlabby says
January 24, 2017 at 10:52 amIt certainly wasn’t ideal! Lol! Thanks so much, Megan! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Audrey says
January 24, 2017 at 1:42 pmThis 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…?
Donnie Lawson says
February 8, 2017 at 10:27 amThe quartz has been fairly easy to keep clean! Soap and water with the occasional windex wipe down.
Armina Stone says
April 12, 2017 at 9:41 pmVery beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Marianne says
February 5, 2018 at 4:22 amHi 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
justagirlabby says
February 10, 2018 at 1:37 pmHi, 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 =)