At a recent open house, our suspicions that a last-minute countertop switch saved our kitchen were confirmed when we saw this kitchen with a granite countertop in Blanc Noir- the style that we almost chose:
In fact, we did choose Blanc Noir, but when we viewed the full slab (as opposed to a tiny sample that Home Depot provided) we pulled a last minute switcheroo from Blanc Noir to Pashmina. And this open house kitchen was all the proof that we needed to be sure that we absolutely without question made the right decision. Here’s our granite counter in Pashmina for comparison:
Our fears that the Blanc Noir granite would be more busy and patterned (at one point we started calling it dalmation-esque) were absolutely confirmed. We’re so glad we went with the more subtle and veiny (as opposed to spotty) Pashmina- and although it was slightly more expensive, the high end marble-look is worth every extra penny.
Let this be a lesson to all of you in the process of picking out a counter- be sure to check out the giant slab at the stoneyard! The mini samples of each of these styles looked extremely similar, but when we saw a big slab of each of them they couldn’t have been more different. Whew.
Aimee says
Yours does look a lot better! I don’t like it when it’s too busy either. Good advice to look at the slab, not just the sample. :)
Leah says
You’re not kidding! That Blanc Noir looks like Formica – at least in that photo. Good choice!
underwood-dc says
All this just makes me want to paint my cabinets white! :-)
Ashley says
lOve your choice! sooo much better! I am working on my dining room..I will send after pics once its done!
Elizabeth says
Wow, the pashmina is so much bettter! Also, I have a quick paint question…What are some of your favorite “white” paint colors?
YoungHouseLove says
So glad you guys like our granite selection. We’re pretty darn relieved that we didn’t make a two thousand dollar mistake. As for Elizabeth’s paint question, since we purchased white cabinets instead of painting them ourselves (although we did paint our old cabinets a nice neutral tan a while back) we never had to choose the perfect white cabinet color.
And when it comes to all of our home’s white trim, believe it or not we just use the “White Semi-Gloss Trim Paint” off the shelf from Home Depot. It’s just a pure crisp white that does the job.
But if you’re looking for a white color with the perfect undertones for a cabinet-painting project or an entire room paint job, we’ve heard time and time again that “Benjamin Moore’s White Cloud” is the best white ever. Hope that helps!
xo,
Sherry
MrsLimestone says
So true! Looking at a large sample is so important.
Spotty granite really irritates me for some reason. Im not sure why but whenever I see it in someone’s kitchen it drives me nuts b/c its so busy!
McGee says
FYI about the Pashmina granite – you guys got it just in time because Stonemark and Home Depot are no longer stocking it. :( I’m terribly disappointed too. After seeing your refinished kitchen, we’d hoped to use the Pashmina in our master bath remodel.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey McGee,
We noticed that we couldn’t find Pashmina on the Stonemark website a few weeks ago but didn’t know if it was just getting updated or what. Crazy! We do know that if anyone’s looking to find an identical slab they can visit their local stoneyard and ask to see white/gray granite with dark gray veins and garnet flecks. The garnet flecks should lead you right to the Pashmina (probably named something else by each individual stoneyard). We went to two different local stoneyards and located the Pashmina equivalent at both places so hopefully it’s just as easy to find in your area. Happy hunting!
xo,
Sherry
McGee says
Thanks Sherry! We did check at Lowe’s today, and they do carry something similar in appearance to the Pashmina granite, but it’s pricier than the version Home Depot had. I’ll definitely check local stoneyards though – thanks for the suggestion. :)
Tara says
Hi Sherry
I just found your site as I was searching for Pashmina granite. I had spotted it at Expo a few weeks ago (we are beginning a kitchen remodel) and brought my husband to see it, just to find out that it had been discontinued. Can you tell me, were Bianco Romano or Kashmire White any of the granites that you thought were a good match for the Pashmina? I really had my heart set on it!
By the way, I really love your blog and your house! It really has the look that I like in my home as well. I will definitely be a frequent viewer!
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tara,
We’ve heard that Lowe’s carries something similar to the Pashmina grante, and also think that checking your local stoneyard is a great place to start the search. Ask to see white/gray granite with dark gray veins and garnet flecks. The garnet flecks should lead you right to the slab closest to Pashmina (probably named something else by each individual stoneyard but super similar in the looks department). We recently visited two different stoneyards and located the Pashmina equivalent at both places so hopefully it’s just as easy to find in your area. As for going with the Bianco Romano or the Kashmire White, we didn’t see big slabs of either of them, but definitely thought they paled in comparison to Pashmina after seeing the tiny samples. Good luck on your granite hunt!
xo,
Sherry
Tommy says
I know, this is totally bizarre, Im commenting on posts from the stone age but Ive just found your blog and I may or may not be reading it all the way from the back cause its so inspiring.
Im amazed tho that you didnt install under cabinet lighting. Its one of the first things I always do in an apartment (college student = moving a lot) and I think it makes the world of difference. Lowe’s sells plug in under cabinet units for $15+ and I think theyre worth every penny.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah we know we can add that whenever we’d like (we love those $15 puck lights at Lowe’s)! We really like the look but since our microwave and our vent hood have built-in under cabinet lighting and our kitchen is small it’s amazing how illuminated everything looks when we just turn those on. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
april says
is bianco romano the same thing as pashmina??
YoungHouseLove says
There are many many names (and we have heard that it goes by “bianco romano among others). Just show them a photo or describe it (as being white and grey with veins and flecks of garnet) and they’ll likely show you the same exact type that we did. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Misty @ 2brokebruces says
Were you able to view the entire granite slab at the Home Depot? Or did you have to go to an actual granite stoneyard to see the colors? I want to re-do my kitchen, but am afraid to go by the little granite samples I see at the big box stores. I do love the pashmina though… maybe I will just go by your pictures….. hmmm…..
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we had to go to the stone yard. Stuff at Home Depot was just a sample.
xo,
s
Misty @ 2brokebruces says
P.S. What edge style did you guys go with? Love this kitchen, by the way!
YoungHouseLove says
We just went with the basic edge (I think it’s called standard?). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Monica says
Love your blog and both of your kitchens! We decided to go with granite for our kitchen remodel and were lucky to find Pashmina granite at our local stoneyard! We have a small u shaped kitchen like your first one and were wondering where to put the granite seams. We are worried that the seams will be very obvious in a small kitchen because of the grey veins in the Pashmina. Where were your granite seams and how did they turn out?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I think ours were in the corners of the U, so it was just sort of like three pieces (shaped like Is) joined on the ends. Hope it helps!
xo,
s