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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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July 31, 2020

Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

I had the first line of this blog post all written in my head. I was going to say, “I’m forty-four years old and I finally have a kitchen I love!” But, every time I typed out those words I deleted them again. And it’s not because I hate declaring that I’m forty-four years old!

It’s because, even though I’m so excited to be showing you my new counters and backsplash today, I keep thinking back to the first time I saw my kitchen. It was 2008 and we were touring the house with our realtor and I stepped into the kitchen and couldn’t believe my eyes. There was so much space! Yes, the cabinets were dark wood and yes the granite wasn’t what I would have chosen but, with a baby on my hip and a 5 year old running around, it looked like a dream to me.

There was a lot to love about my kitchen when it looked like this. So, I’m not going to tell you that it’s only ‘now’ that I love it. Now that we’ve painted the cabinets and put in new floors and updated the counters and the backsplash and the sink and the fixtures and the window treatments.

Instead, I’m going to tell you that I think there is something really wonderful about living with and appreciating what you have until you can get what you want without going into debt. Even if it takes a long time.

A few years ago we had the cabinets painted. Then we had the new floors put in.

This is how the kitchen looked after we moved here in 2008.

After the cabinets were painted

And FINALLY, twelve years later, it’s all done! And yes, I do love it.

We decided to go with honed quartzite for our countertops. It’s a natural stone and has a similar look to marble with the durability of granite. We ended up going with the honed finish since it has more of a matte look to it. After years of granite, I was ready for something with a bit less shine. This particular pattern is called ‘Taj Mahal’ and it looks SO different once its honed from how it looks in its original state.

Desk area when we first moved in

After cabinets were painted

Desk area with new backsplash

Appliance garage on counters when we first moved in

After cabinets were painted

And now! We had the appliance garage removed to free up more counter space and it just makes this whole area so much more open.

For the backsplash, we decided to go with a subway tile in varying shades of white. If you look closely, there are three slightly different colors here and we love the subtle effect it creates while also tying in the cabinet color to the colors in the quartzite.

 

I think…no…I know…that my most favorite part of this project is my new sink!!

We went with a basin style, undermount sink and I’ve never been so happy to do dishes.

My husband said that his favorite thing about the new sink is that it’s so deep that you can’t see the dishes that get piled up in there. 😉

Every time I come downstairs in the morning and head into the kitchen to get my coffee, I’m startled by how bright this room is now.

But, I’ll tell you something. The coffee tastes the same as it did when we first moved in and the kitchen had dark cabinets and 1992 granite tile counters.

It tastes the same as it did when we painted the cabinets and still had the old counters.

And for the twelve years that I’ve been turning the corner and coming into the kitchen to fill up a giant mug with coffee and a tiny bit of creamer, I’ve never once looked around and not felt immensely grateful.

Because while the look of this kitchen might have changed over the years, here’s what hasn’t…

Yummy meals prepared, baking sessions with my kids, friends sitting on the stools and chatting, impromptu dance parties, Saturday morning pancakes, lines of people wrapping around the island waiting to dig into a buffet of food set out, birthday celebrations and some of the most sacred conversations ever.

As we’ve slowly made changes and improvements to our home, I’ve recognized more than ever the truth in these words from Paul in the book of Philippians (4:11), “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

When it comes to our homes, I truly believe that learning to be content with how it looks now is what helps us to not put off enjoying the beauty of the moments that are right in front of us. It keeps us from living in a constant state of “if only”.

And, if you have the opportunity to update your counters or paint your cabinets or change your flooring, you will be able to enjoy them while still putting them in the proper place in your heart because you know that they are simply the backdrop for the things that matter the most.

Thank you for coming along with me and my kitchen on this journey for all of these years dear friends!

32 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Kitchen Remodel Tagged With: decorating, kitchen, Makeover

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Comments

  1. Peggy says

    July 31, 2020 at 11:54 AM

    I like both then and now! You’ve done a wonderful job updating, and I’ll always miss my white kitchen from a previous home.

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    July 31, 2020 at 12:10 PM

    I love every word you wrote. So we’ll said. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for being real!!😊

    Reply
  3. Kerna Pettorelli says

    July 31, 2020 at 12:19 PM

    This looks beautiful Vanessa!
    I love your taste. Well done with all your selections 👏🏻♥️
    Can you share where the kitchen blinds are from. I love them!

    Reply
  4. Leslie Watkins says

    July 31, 2020 at 12:23 PM

    I absolutely love the changes! How perfect.❤️

    Reply
  5. jean says

    July 31, 2020 at 12:27 PM

    Vanessa,
    What a beautiful kitchen. I love Honed granite or quartz. I wish I had used quartz in my kitchen when we remolded. I could have gotton quartz for the same price. You have done a wonderful job decorating and I love your blog post. You are such a wonderful Christian woman and you talk it as well. So many keep quite about what Jesus has meant to them; I don’t know what we would do especially now; our hope is in the Lord. Can’t wait to see what you will be working on next. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
    your blog friend,
    jean

    Reply
  6. Tami says

    July 31, 2020 at 1:08 PM

    What a beautiful kitchen! And what a beautiful outlook! We have lived with our kitchen for 36 years, and it was dated when we moved in. We are finally getting ready for new cabinets and countertops. I’m so excited, but we have made the most of our kitchen through the years. We have painted the cabinets and made some minor changes in the past, but now I will have the kitchen I have envisioned since we first moved in. It will be worth the wait!

    Reply
  7. Suzanne says

    July 31, 2020 at 1:15 PM

    Did you paint your cabinets yourself? Did they have to be sanded?

    Reply
  8. Katharine says

    July 31, 2020 at 3:07 PM

    The kitchen is beautiful, but even moreso are your words. Thank you for the good reminder. We live in a bit of a fixer upper. It’s been a long road as we have done most of the work ourselves and have not gone into debt to do it. It is so easy not get caught up in all that “needs” to be done. Really the most important work we do it out home has nothing to do with the space. It has everything to do with the people that live inside it. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.

    Reply
  9. Michele M says

    July 31, 2020 at 4:11 PM

    I am so happy for you. Your kitchen is truly beautiful.

    Great attitude, too.

    Have a wonderful remainder of summer.

    Stay safe and well.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 31, 2020 at 7:30 PM

      Thank you so much friend! I hope you are having a lovely summer and staying safe too. Blessings! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sherry Myers says

    July 31, 2020 at 6:17 PM

    Beautiful words, beautiful kitchen! I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for the encouraging words. The older I get, the more comforting the word contentment is to me. Thank you for making the end of my day sweet by taking the time to share your home.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 31, 2020 at 7:25 PM

      Thank you so much Sherry! I appreciate your kind words! 🙂

      Reply
  11. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    July 31, 2020 at 9:55 PM

    Vanessa, it’s always so nice to meet you At The Picket Fence! Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us. Love what you have done. Love reading your posts. You always share such encouraging words with us. Bless you! Enjoy the summer and keep safe!

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    July 31, 2020 at 11:27 PM

    Love your heart and appreciate you sharing the blessings that continue…the people in and around the kitchen no matter what season or style. Your remodel is beautiful…really like the backsplash.💛

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 1, 2020 at 11:51 AM

      Thank you so much friend! xoxo

      Reply
  13. Patty Anne says

    August 1, 2020 at 5:15 AM

    It is beautiful, but what you said about your kitchen then and now – “it’s the backdrop for what matters most”, is the best part 💕
    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 1, 2020 at 11:50 AM

      Thank you so much Patty Anne! Blessings to you! <3

      Reply
  14. Pk says

    August 1, 2020 at 11:33 AM

    Your kitchen looks great. I’m curious if you have an exhaust for your cooktop? I can’t see one looking at the pictures. If not do you miss having one? I would like to omit one from my kitchen. Thanks

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 2, 2020 at 9:26 AM

      Hi Pk! We don’t have an exhaust for our cooktop in our island but it does have a fan built in and we have a fan in the ceiling. There wasn’t one when we moved in so I don’t know any different. I think because of where it’s located, right in the middle of the kitchen, it would be really awkward to have one but that’s just my two cents. 😉

      Reply
  15. Amri says

    August 1, 2020 at 11:40 AM

    This was fantastic. You really hit on what matters. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    August 1, 2020 at 4:18 PM

    Beautiful makeover Vanessa. Sometimes the best makeovers take the longest amount of time, and it’s always worth the wait.

    Reply
  17. margaret says

    August 1, 2020 at 5:24 PM

    Love the kitchen and your thoughts about enjoying what’s important all the time.

    Reply
    • Dawn says

      August 1, 2020 at 6:43 PM

      This story mirrors my own in so many ways! We purchased a watered damaged foreclosure in 2008, barely squeezing into our new home. Finally we were out of an apartment. We couldn’t afford much, so my hubby DIY the entire rehab. We repaired the kitchen cabinets, installed granite tile countertops and made it the best we could afford at the time.
      Fast forward to me being 43, and we are finally redoing the kitchen. Hickory cabinets, marble mosiac backsplash, and black pearl granite sold slabs. I’m totally excited. We only spent $3,200.
      I’ve always appreciated the sweat and love we’ve put into our home.
      Congrats on your beautiful kitchen. Your story warmed my soul & brought back wonderful memories.

      Reply
  18. Laura janning says

    August 10, 2020 at 4:45 PM

    Looks beautiful Vanessa!

    Reply
  19. Lisa says

    January 30, 2021 at 4:47 AM

    Vanessa I just discovered your blog and was so excited to see someone talk about quartzite (different from quartz). We are gutting our kitchen and I am leaning toward quartzite due to the durability over Quartz. (There are some great discussions on Houzz about this topic). Did you find the price point to be considerable more for Quartzite over Quartz? I have about the same counter space as you and trying to budget what the cost would be if you do not mind sharing. Is Taj Mahol the top of the line and did you pay more to get it honed? You did an awesome job. Your kitchen is beautiful.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 1, 2021 at 11:20 AM

      Hi Lisa! We found that the quartzite was not ‘that’ much more expensive than quartz and we, like you, felt that the durability factor was a huge component of making that selection. Taj Mahal wasn’t at the very top of the line but having it honed added an extra cost. We had to have some work done with removing an appliance garage and other things that added cost because it required bringing in some folks to do woodworking, etc. I think all told we ended up spending a little over $8,000. Hope that helps and I’m SO glad you found my blog!

      Reply
  20. vicky says

    March 8, 2021 at 5:35 PM

    I would love the information on your countertop material. I have seen Taj Mahal granite but I didn’t think it looked like yours. What company? Just about ready to order granite. Also what is honed? Is it low luster? Thank you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 8, 2021 at 7:21 PM

      Hi Vicky! Yes, the Taj Mahal in it’s original form looks very different from how ours look. And this isn’t granite, it’s quartzite which is a natural stone and stronger than quartz. We decided to have it honed so that it was a matte finish (low luster) because I didn’t want it to be super shiny. We went with a local company here. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Patty says

    April 1, 2021 at 8:20 PM

    I really like that your backsplash tile is different colors of white – did you just pick out 3 different whites in the same brand/style or was it something already “put together”? We are building a house and just had our honed quartz countertops put in so I am picking tile for the backsplash. I wasn’t sure whether to go with a shiny tile or a matte tile and finding a white to go with our countertops hasn’t been easy!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 16, 2021 at 11:27 AM

      Hi Patty! My apologies for just now seeing your comment/question! The backsplash tile came as something that was already put together as 3 different shades of white. Each tile was put on the wall separately by the installer so they varied the three shades as they assembled it if that makes sense. We really like having the subtle difference between each tile and how it brings together all the different tones in the kitchen. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  22. Jocelyn says

    April 10, 2021 at 11:49 AM

    May I ask how the countertops have held up? Any problems with staining or etching? We are currently considering this exact color/finish and I worry that we’ll ruin it or that it won’t be as durable as we are hoping! Your kitchen is stunning and I’m so excited for our much-anticipated kitchen makeover.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 16, 2021 at 11:25 AM

      Hi Jocelyn! SO sorry I’m just now replying! We’ve had our countertops for a year now and they’ve held up amazingly well. But we’re careful not to leave anything that might stain sitting on them for too long which I think would be the same for any quartz or marble counters. Thanks for the compliment of my kitchen!! I know the feeling of being so excited for updates. 😉

      Reply

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