# I don't understand the demand for granite, stainless, dark sleek cabinets, and hardwood **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 23, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415 "2014-06-23T03:33:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/21 "2014-06-23T16:03:57Z")
> [@GrizzRich](#): > > Moreover, the surprising number of first-time home-buyers on these shows that look at houses and proclaim how many existing structures in the home need to be ripped out and re-done. Second-time home-buyers know better than to buy a fixer-upper. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/22 "2014-06-23T16:25:27Z")
People seem to have very strong opinions of what’s “ok” and what’s not. Hardwood floor in at kitchen? Works for me. Granite counter-top? I don’t personally want, but I’ve seen some beautiful kitchens with granite. Same with dark wood. I don’t mind spending extra money on things I like. We overhauled our master bedroom and bath last year. Spent a fortune, and did things some people might not like or understand. We love it. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/23 "2014-06-23T16:59:40Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What I don’t get is thousands for granite or marble, on counter or floor. Wha…? How can anyone not recognize that what they are installing in their bath or kitchen is personal fashion, of a sort. I mean yes, I understand wanting it to be good quality and to your taste. But what’s with overbuilding with granite and marble, at a cost of thousands, like it’s going to survive for hundreds of years? Especially when, a generation from now, when you’re gone to your grave, the new modern headed owners will want whatever is in fashion then. And all that overbuilt marble and granite, at a cost of thousands, imported from some distant land, is now someone else’s nightmare removal. At a cost if thousands, no doubt! > > It’s crazy. Go for whatever look you like, but recognize it’s fashion, you’re not building a pyramid! A fashion could arise of people directing their favourite granite or marble countertops be used for their tombstones, killing several birds with one stone. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/24 "2014-06-23T17:44:26Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > I watch a lot of HGTV. Everyone wants granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, dark sleek cabinets, and hardwood floors. If a place isn’t like that, they call it “outdated”, and even if it’s brand new they insist on ripping it out to replace it. You do realize that the folks who purchase existing homes and decide “The current layout is good enough for me. I’m not going to change anything.” aren’t going to make it onto any of those HGTV shows. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/25 "2014-06-23T18:18:14Z")
Hardwood floors in a kitchen is a huge mistake. Not a big fan of very dark cabinets, but I would prefer them over the white paint look that seems to be growing more popular. ---
**Author:** ![slightly\_askew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@slightly\_askew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slightly_askew)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/26 "2014-06-23T18:42:30Z")
I don’t get the granite and stainless steel thing either. Although I don’t get the faux slate tile some previous owner put in my kitchen either. It is impossible to get clean – dirt gets caught in all the little crevices, ugh. Can’t wait to rip it out and put in cork flooring and replace the engineered countertops with soap stone. What I really don’t get is the [skinny glass tile back splashes](http://knapptileandflooring.blogspot.com/2010/07/glass-tile-backsplash.html) that are all the rage on the home improvement shows now. I have a feeling they will look as dated as avocado appliances in a decade. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/27 "2014-06-23T19:05:14Z")
> [@Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](#): > > I find myself practically _lusting_ after carpet. Whenever I’m on a different surface, such as wood, tile, or linoleum, I’m thinking of how much nicer I’d find it if I were standing on carpet. Walking on good carpet is like having the floor seduce your feet. > > I’m not at the point where I’d label it a dysfunction. Yet. What you want isn’t carpet, it is this [stuff](http://www.kofflersales.com/p/k-drain-floor-matting-ii.asp?cid=5) … heavenly for the abused chef’s feet! Unlike a carpet. you spill something on it you don’t need a steam cleaner, you take it outside and hose it off, or toss it in the back of the pickup and run it over to the car wash and hose it with the soapy water. ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/28 "2014-06-23T19:13:08Z")
It’s the style,much as drab green or all pink were - to say nothing of gingham and cows ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/29 "2014-06-23T19:14:23Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > A fashion could arise of people directing their favourite granite or marble countertops be used for their tombstones, killing several birds with one stone. Hm, neat idea=) I know a person who had a salvaged gravestone that had been used as a practice piece for engraving the little flowers and fluorishes and she used it for making gum paste flowers for decorating cakes:dubious::eek:😃 For me? Bamboo floors, commercial counters/cabinets/shelves in stainless steel , and good solid thick butchersblock counter tops except for one section in marble for pastry and candy working. Renovated [Flair](http://veryvintagevegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/img-3652.jpg) stove for the slide out wheelchair accessibility of it all, and a 25 cu foot reach in freezer and a 25 cu ft reach in fridge and an undercounter ice maker. I mean look at [these](http://www.coldtechcommercial.com/stainless-steel-solid-door-commercial-refrigerator-model-crr229-1-prodview.html) … you can _clean_ under the damned things and they have _wheels_ to move them to get behind them … I figure I will simply have a commercial setup, not hard installed cabinetry, so the kitchen can be emptied out in an afternoon, leaving it bare to the floors and walls with the electrical, gas and plumbing connections accessible. ---
**Author:** ![Whitney\_Harper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/30 "2014-06-23T19:36:23Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > I watch a lot of HGTV. Everyone wants granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, dark sleek cabinets, and hardwood floors. If a place isn’t like that, they call it “outdated”, and even if it’s brand new they insist on ripping it out to replace it. In 20 years, this trend will be just like the avocado green and harvest gold era. The dark cabinets in particular make the rooms so dark like a dungeon. There are plenty of pretty and resilliant alternatives to granite. There’s nothing wrong with black or white appliances. And people who get wood floors end up also buying a bunch of area rugs to soften them up. And it’s all so much more expensive! I just don’t get it. I agree with you! I do not like granite at all, and the stainless steel appliances, to me, make a kitchen look “cold”. I also agree there’s nothing wrong with black or white appliances. Dark cabinets are not very appealing either, but at least with hardwood floors one can cover them with carpets. I prefer wall-to-wall carpeting, but I know that some folks like hardwood floors if they have allergies. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/31 "2014-06-23T19:52:49Z")
I really love Craftsman homes, and I look them up on realtor’s web sites to see what options there are. One of my major peeves is when I see something that has been “lovingly restored to its original charm”… beautiful hardwood floors, nice dark door- and window-frames, stained glass windows, wooden railings on the stairs… and then we get to the kitchen: Granite counter-tops, brushed-steel appliances, cabinets that look like they bought them five for a dollar and a freakin’ glass-top stove. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/32 "2014-06-24T11:35:42Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Hardwood floors in a kitchen is a huge mistake. > > Not a big fan of very dark cabinets, but I would prefer them over the white paint look that seems to be growing more popular. My main problem with my tile floors is that I’m obsessive about making sure the grout lines stay nice and white. I have a Wagner Power Steamer and on top of power steaming them, I also hand scrub the grout with oxygen bleach powder. I would swap my tile floors for wood if it was a free upgrade. Since it costs money, I’ll keep them. Here’s my [kitchen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeymc/14495208814/) by the way, in all its pedestrian granite and stainless steel glory. The bad idea peach paint is still on the walls and the only modification we’ve made to date is that we ripped out the microwave and the cabinet above in order to install the external vent and a new 900 cfm range hood (Indian cooking, a must-have). I do hate the paint color but we bought the house in winter and by the time winter was over our primary concern was the roof replacement so our aesthetic concerns fell by the way side. My only “can’t have it anymore” for the kitchen is the peach paint and the black granite. Other than that I’m ok with it. I have become a real estate and DIY blog addict since buying our home. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/33 "2014-06-24T14:23:19Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > There’s nothing wrong with black or white appliances. I’m sorry, but I must disagree. There is definitely something wrong with black appliances. I have owned appliances of many different colors over the years, and I can confidently say the black ones are the worst. They _never_ look clean, no matter how much effort is expended in cleaning them. They always look streaky, and dust shows on them really badly. They get filthy just sitting there! Plus the whole problem of making the kitchen look dark and dungeon-like. My husband redid his kitchen appliances right before he met me, and he chose black. He also has a cat with white fur, and an open floor plan in the house. White fur constantly clings to the front of the dishwasher and the stove. It doesn’t matter how much we vacuum or clean (which he actually does a lot). The front of the refrigerator is a faux stainless silver finish, which almost always looks good and is easy to clean. But the trim on the fridge is black, and the water dispenser (black) constantly shows hard water scale, even though we have a water softener and many extra filters. Black appliances are awful. Every other choice discussed in this thread is pretty much a matter of taste. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/34 "2014-06-24T14:33:58Z")
Lots of dislike for hardwood floors in the kitchen! Our kitchen has maple hardwood floors, and has had them for over 100 years, so I don’t think durability is an issue. We just had them refinished a couple months ago when we finished remodeling the house and they look great. I’m not always a huge fan of dark-stained cabinets, but that’s fine, and I’ve seen some cherry cabinets that were stunning. I also think that if you have stainless appliances, you’d better wow me with your culinary skills when you have us over for dinner, don’t go making Kraft mac and cheese on your 6-burner Viking! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/35 "2014-06-24T16:27:58Z")
> [@Whitney\_Harper](#): > > I agree with you! I do not like granite at all, and the stainless steel appliances, to me, make a kitchen look “cold”. It really depends on the color choices and lighting along with the stainless- we have white cabinets, and granite with a lot of “motion”, as well as earth-tone tile and walls, and it’s lit with soft-white bulbs. It’s a long way from “cold” looking, even if we do have stainless appliances. Now if you had gray walls, slate tile and black granite, then yeah, it would be cold looking. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/36 "2014-06-25T03:07:29Z")
It bothers me that the HGTV shows don’t help lower class families more. I admit it’s prettier to see nicer homes with outstanding decor to satisfy the bit of fantasy we all want to view, but those people have the means to do really nice remodels anyway. I think we’ll end up with white cabinets, tile throughout (hubby has bad allergies), white appliances, and I’m considering sealed dyed concrete counters. I don’t like the shelves instead of cabinet trend because it’s just another thing I’d have to dust. Or I might just live with what I’ve got. Formica, vinyl, and painted white wood. Someone mentioned the tiny glass tile backsplash too. I think the plain white subway tiles are even worse. They remind me of being in the lady’s room at Walmart or something. And another trend I’m seeing is the brown glaze on cream painted cabinets. A friend of mine paid a fortune to have that done. It makes everything look filthy dirty! But what do you say? “Oh yeah, nice!” But she probably thinks my yellow and white French country is hideous. Oh we’ll. Wow, I sound so critical. Please don’t banish me to the pit! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/37 "2014-06-25T03:18:29Z")
Depending on where you live, a cold-looking kitchen would be a plus; a cool-touching one even more so. My home is in a place whose highest yearly temperatures rarely reach 30C, but my second home is in one where 30C is the day’s lowest for months… that cool-to-the-touch, translucid white marble countertop is the only part of the kitchen I plan to keep if and when I ever remodel it. > [@anu-la1979](#): > > My main problem with my tile floors is that I’m obsessive about making sure the grout lines stay nice and white. I have a Wagner Power Steamer and on top of power steaming them, I also hand scrub the grout with oxygen bleach powder. You’re attacking the grout, damaging it. There are products to whiten it without assaulting it, but you’re supposed to use them periodically, not constantly. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/38 "2014-06-25T08:25:54Z")
I agree with the OP, especially in regards to granite. We’re in the process of remodeling our kitchen and when we get to the countertops, we’re going with something else. We’re looking at Silestone, but have decided yet. I just find granite too cookie cutter. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/39 "2014-06-25T09:52:46Z")
My in-laws had indoor/outdoor carpet in their kitchen that matched the regular carpet in their den area. I thought it was great and would do that if it made sense in our house. We have tiles. I’m into oak so I like our cabinets but I also like painted. (Pale color, not so much white.) If I had to pick a style I guess it would be shabby chic but not so precious; I want to hang some sheers on a thin tree branch instead of a curtain rod and have a mud scrapper out the back door. I don’t give a flip about countertops as long as they’re not dark. I don’t expect them to be heat/knife/kid resistant so whatever goes with the rest is fine. I have heard good things about concrete countertops, though, and bamboo floors. When I win the lottery I’m going to get me some of that. And **PurpleClogs** white subway tiles=public restrooms…I _know!_ (I just used a Rachael Ray voice. I should now be shot.) ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415/40 "2014-06-25T19:22:00Z")
I’m also not a fan of the white subway tile, especially with the new trend of “contrast” dark grout. Also the new penny tile trend. I hate penny tile…for some reason I do like hex tile when it’s marble but I’m never really sure if I’m going to change my stance on it. Don’t even get me started with the new love for pedestal sinks. We have them in 2 of our 3 bathrooms and they drive me insane. We’re supposed to be upgrading our bathrooms (way too builder grade) via DIY…next year. My husband is a civil engineer so I’m making him put his money where his big “I even get a contractor discount” mouth is. I’m game, having been roped into my parents’ renos when I was a kid. The new trend I DO like is the bigger, rectangular floor tile trend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-demand-for-granite-stainless-dark-sleek-cabinets-and-hardwood/691415.md?page=3)