[nyc_home]

Has anyone seen futura's "basalt slate" counter top at home depot? It's one of their in-stock inexpensive counters usually found at the back of the store. It's a honed-looking (can laminate actually be called honed?:shock grayish black w/ texture to it.

I'm thinking it might be a good option w/ nexus birch.Much more affordable than the stones I'd love but can't get now. And so much easier than the diy cast in place concrete we were thinking of.

[MELBA]

Before we reached deeply into our pockets for granite, (which are coming hopefully soon), we searched the Home Depot and Lowes stock laminates. We saw the one you've mentioned just recently in HD. Pretty hot! Looked solid and durable. Loved the texture too. If you like laminates, this one will probably work well with any Ikea cabinetry. Good luck on your choice.

Melissa and Dave

Long Island, NY

[DesignDiva]

I love black with the Nexus Birch...that's what I have and I love it. We went with the high polish AB granite to provide contrast to the satin finish of the Nexus. That would be my only concern about putting a honed finish with Nexus, not enough contrast in texture.

[lockburn]

I like these new countertops from HD. The Futura line seems to be a step up from their normal laminated countertops. The front 'curls' under for a cleaner look, and the backsplash is shorter and more modern looking (a smaller radius curve?). I only wish they had a lighter color to go with Adel Medium Brown.

[nyc_home]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Eva: It's a honed but textured finish. Do you think that would make a difference? And my next decision: if I use these, should I use the matching laminate sheets as backsplash? Or paint the backsplash red? We're thinking now that in a few years we'll replace the counter with granite or soapstone and tile the backsplash.

Lockburn: Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to see the futura line. I agree with you about the smoother front....There was a lighter brown slate look option that I thought was really nice. To me, it actually looked the most like real stone. I remember thinking that it would be a good option with white cabinets. I can't picture the exact shade of Adel MB, but maybe someone else here can.

By the way, I'm not a big baker, but for anyone who is, I imagine that the textures on these might be a deal breaker.

[KitchenMom]

I'm not familiar with the Futura line, but I have regular matte finish basalt slate with my Nexus Birch cabinets and it looks really nice. It pretty much reads as black from a few feet up, but has all the gray, swirly patterns up close and under lights. At first, I kept thinking it was dusty and wanted to wipe it. I wish I had pictures, but I don't at the moment. If I can ever get my kitchen clean and neat for five minutes in a row, I'll try and take a picture for you.

[nyc_home]

I'd love to see pictures, Kitchen Mom! (Even thought I don't have any up yet either.)

......oooh, I hadn't thought of the fact that it might look dusty :shock: Do you find that a problem? .....btw, what did you do for a backsplash?

[shorty]

That was our second choice laminate for our adel birch doors, looked great with the cabinets, but not as good with our flooring, so we went for something warmer. ButI loved the look of it with birch!

[nyc_home]

Good to hear, shorty! We've all but decided to use these.

[Takeo]

This is exactly what I'm planning to use with my Nexus Birch cabinets! It's really nice looking for fake stone! Let us know how it works out. I'd love to see a picture since I was planning to use the exact same cabinets and counters. I'm acually debating now between Formica "Basalt Slate" and Numerar Oak/Black. I want a counter without a built-in blacksplash... to mantain a modern, clean look. I assume that's possible with Formica. My only concern with the formica is that I'm now thinking of "wrapping" the counter down the sides of my island... and if I did that with Formica... you'd see the unfinishes underside :-(