Lapidus Kitchen Remodel

This first picture was the kitchen before the remodel!

This is after the remodel! These pictures were provided by the customer. She is sooo excited with the transformation of what she calls her '80's kitchen to today. She bought all new cabinetry, flooring, and countertops. We did the countertops, of course :-).  The countertops are 3cm Lapidus with a waterfall edge. Lapidus is one of my very favorite granite colors! The colors are all in the browns, and they go with just about everything. Lapidus also has a lot of movement, and is a very fun exotic stone. Worth the extra cost! The sink is an undermount Blanco granite composite sink.

I want to add that she will love the sink! I have had this same Blanco sink at my house for the last 6 years, and I love it as much today as the day I put it in! They are very scratch resistant, stain resistant, and withstand heat up to 536 degrees farenheit!

I would recommend doing a tile backsplash for this kitchen, which I think she is doing. Hopefully I get another picture of the tile splash and I will post it for everyone to see :).

Unique Backsplash

It is so fun to do different backsplashes! This customer wanted the backsplash to resemble the beautiful mountain view out of their windows! They even custom painted their outlet covers to match the color of stone. Turned out fabulous country :)

Here in Southern Utah we have a lot of plateaus, which also make a very fun backsplash to mimic!

Doing the windowsill in the granite is also a nice touch, it ties in with the stone, and give a better shelf to decorate with!

Always be creative, and enjoy your countertops! Granite is awesome because it is custom :)

Vessel Bowls in Granite

I love the look of a beautiful vessel bowl on a granite countertop! This client wanted their bowl partially recessed. We carefully measured and recessed the bowl so that the faucet was just one inch over the bowl. It turned out stunning!

You can also put a vessel directly on the counter, and not recess it at all. When doing this, you will need to buy a faucet that is specifically for vessel sinks. This faucet will come much taller than a regular faucet. I have found the best place to find this type of faucet is online, or you have to special order them in at Lowes or Home Depot.

Granite Countertops with Corbels

Sometimes my customers really want granite countertops, but do not want corbels (the supports for the overhang). When 3cm granite overhangs over 8", we recommend the use of corbels. This generally occurs on islands, and peninsula overhangs. These corbels should be placed every 3 feet, and be supported at each end.

If no corbels are used, there is a chance of the granite breaking. Children love to hang and swing on the overhanging edge of a countertop. Or it is also a great place for "Uncle Joe" to half sit on while telling a great story.... whatever the case is, corbels really should be used.

This is a picture of a kitchen that we put the corbels in. Corbels can be wood, cast iron, or granite. This customer wanted wood corbels to match his oak cabinets. To save on money, we purchased pine corbels and stained them with an oak finish. They turned out beautiful, and the customer is happy, and saved money.

Getting Ready for Granite

We just got the job for a local hotel. We are excited to show you the progress as the front desk and prep area are completed. These first photos show the cabinets ready for granite! We will be showing the process and the completed work as it unfolds. We expect to have this project completed in 2.5 weeks :).

You can see the white templates on the cabinets, this is what we use to cut the granite. This customer has chosen Caesar Stone Baja Quartz. I highly recommend quartz for any commercial project because of the low maintenance. Quartz never needs to be sealed, and has all the benefits of granite. It is a mid-price stone to put in, but well worth it, especially in the commercial area :).

Outdoor Granite Barbeque

Custom outdoor barbecues are a great way to enjoy afternoons with family and friends! This customer built his own barbecue area with plywood, and is planning on using stucco for the final finish. We used "Exotic Forest" granite from Brazil with a 2" apron edge. Our shop pays particular attention to detail, if you notice the lines that run vertical follow through on the horizontal plane. These details are important and add immensely to the finished product.

I find that you get what you pay for. Often the "cheaper" shops do not pay attention to these details. The "cheaper" shops also often have poor seams. I have also heard customers complain of these shops actually fabricating in their driveways. Be leery of these types of granite shops. 

Simple Yet Sleek Kitchen

Using granite in your kitchen does not have to be expensive. This is a basic color, which adds elegance and design to this vacation condo. The earth tone colors allow you to decorate with a wide range of paints or add a splash of color with towels. Using a burgundy or navy accent in this kitchen would draw a wow factor to an already sleek kitchen style. The white cabinets give a clean feel and the granite ties in the beautiful hard wood flooring. I would recommend doing a full high tile backsplash to add some pizazz, or an antique finish on the cabinet doors.