Tuesday, November 11, 2008

But Wait, Don't Take the Counter for Granite!

OK, so I took a bit of license with that one, but we can't take the granite for granted.  With all the focus on the tile, and all the beauty it has been holding, the granite is like the frosting.


Backsplash is in and the sinks are ready to be cut out.  (Yes, my challenging and inconsistent lighting is still with us.)  Look carefully at the differences in thickness between where the sink will be cut out and the bull nose edge.

To provide the appearance of a thicker piece of granite, the front edge is rounded and then a small piece is laminated on the underside.  Don't ask me!  It must be magic glue, special cutting, voodoo - I have no idea how they do it.  The slab is plenty stout at the actual thickness, but this effect gives the appearance of a much thicker piece.  I call it "visual value."

The photos above and below are great examples of how the finish work will bring it all together.  Above, this is another example of existing walls not being what you could call plumb and set at 90 degrees.  Notice the gap between the countertop and backsplash edges and that of the wall.  The pieces were cut exactly 90 degrees, but the wall didn't want to cooperate.

My late father was a carpenter and his forte was finish work.  The part you see, and in particular, the part you see that ties pieces together, is what makes or breaks a project.

The great equalizers: sheetrock mud, a can of texture and an artistic eye.  More on those later.

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