Expensive mistake

[TheRedWoman]

I've come on here to cry as DH isn't sympathetic at all. Dream extension / kitchen almost complete, work top installed today and it isn't what I was expecting.

It's quartz so an expensive mistake. It's much greyer in RL than the sample and just doesn't work with the units colour wise. The wall colour doesn't help, DH is currently painting various samples to find a better colour.

I am gutted. Was very nervous about getting the quartz wrong so said to DH on numerous occasions 'shall we just go for laminate, then we can change it in the future'. Apparently he thought I was joking.

Without sounding dramatic, it's ruined the kitchen. At the minute I can't see the change of wall colour helping much. I'm so cross DH didn't take my concern seriously and really consider a laminate.

Sorry, I know this is a first world problem but I just need to get it off my chest.

What colour units do you have? I am sure it doesn't look as bad as you think, and a different wall colour will make all the difference. Have you chosen your floor yet? I was posted a couple of weeks ago about how upset I was with the shoddy job on fitting my new and expensive doors. They gave me a headache looking at them, as I thought they were that bad. A couple of weeks later, they look ok and I will live with it.

I would have thought Quartz could stand up for itself in any kitchen because it's expensive. May just take a bit of getting used to. You're going to worry more and look for fault when it's much more expensive (well I would!)

... I think maybe you need to take some deep breaths and see the bigger picture.

House, kitchen, husband. There's a lot to be grateful for there. The colours will work themselves out and you'll get used to it. Don't fight over it or focus on the "I told you so" feeling. Life's too short!

What features does it have? Ignoring the colours, hope it's nicely done otherwise and you're enjoying it.

I'm writing from our tiny cubby hole of a flat where we barely have room for a kettle or a microwave in our open plan kitchen/living room, but it's just a means to an end!

Oh I'm so sorry :-( It is a really horrible feeling when you make an expensive purchase and it isn't how you wanted.

It is OK to have a bit of cry, but try not to do it to DP as don't want to drag him down too.

I bet the change of colour will do wonders for the room.

Also, just focus on how nicely designed your new kitchen is - how you love the new lay out, induction hob, whatever. That might help.

It is so so shit when a big purchase isn't as good as you thought it would be. I made a big purchase a few years ago, for something that is meant to last many years. And I got it and didn;t like it. The other brand (that was cheeper) would have been much better! But I'm stuck with it. So I really do sympathyse with you.

I felt like that about the colour of my new car!
I also think you will get used to it. We tiled our kitchen and then painted. The colour of the walls has really altered the appearance of tile colour.
What colour is the work top? What is wrong with it? What colour are the walls? What are you trying to achieve, colour wise?

Yes, what colour are the units?

Maybe a picture would help others advise...?

Can we see?

They're Howden's Burford painted white but they are more on the ivory side. I thought the work top was white with mirror flecks but it's more grey than white.

I realize my post is pathetic and have a huge amount to be grateful for, I just feel disappointed I guess and it was a lot of money. We are bu no means rich, have been saving for years for this.

DH has painted numerous colours and thinks a dark grey on both walls with the cabinets will look best. I am going to have a look tonight, will try and take pics.

Thanks for replying, I do feel very daft crying over a work top.

I agree, when you see everything together, including new paint colour, possibly floor colour it will change.

(Not that it helps but when we bought our first house, the bathroom was painted peach, all the woodwork was peach and the bathroom suite looked peach. We had absolutely no money but stretched ourselves to new tiles - pale blue (sounds horrible but it was actually quite nice) with blue walls and white woodwork. The bathroom suite looked off white in comparison. My parents - who had helped us with the deposit because they didn't want us to get into debt (other than the mortgage) went mad because they thought we'd taken out a loan to re-do the bathroom completely - 15 years on and they still don't believe it was the same bath!)

With orginal paint on the wall

I think dark grey would work well, can you post a picture?

Poor you, it's horrid when you make a mistake like that.
Are the units painted? If so they could be painted a different colour.
And a change in wall colour could completely alter the look.

There are some brilliant experts on MN, if you post a pic (with a description of the colours) I expect you'll get some great suggestions.

Grey is pretty versatile. What colour are the units? What wall colour have you gone for? Would you consider a splash of colour to offset the grey - maybe a purple splashback? You can get them quite cheaply

namechangedtoday15 that's a nice story :-)

OP don't worry about being 'pathetic' it is really reasonable to be upset when a big purchase doesn't go to plan.

But I bet you will feel better when you see the new wall colour.

Cross post! I think your DH is right, try a dark purple/grey?

One of my friends had this exact problem. She complained, and although the worktop was a natural material and so therefore would never exactly match the sample, the company agreed that the difference in colour was ridiculous and offered some compensation.

Right - I kind of see what you mean. But. But. But.

I thu j once you have got your bits and bobs on the surfaces, that will make a huge difference

Plus, do you have any Windows? You could get nice white blinds with silvery/grey accents. We have very nice ones from John Lewis in our bathroom.

Oh - and in my opinion - the quartz in whatever colour will always look better than the laminate

I agree with you - looked at the way it is, it isn't great - but I do think colour on the walls could make a huge difference, or tiling- what about some oblong 1930s style tiles in a petrol blue?

OP - this is a link where you can "visualise" your kitchen - its quite basic but has quite a few colour choices for cabinets, a few (limited) choices for worktop and then you can change the colour of the walls / floor etc. Might not get exactly the result you'd get with a paint samples, but might be worth a try?

visualise

I would say don;t go immediately painting everything dark grey,it will be gloomy

Maybe a softer grey on one or other

But tbh I would say live with it for a while. And then decide.

You know what it looks fucking brilliant please chill out X

I think it's crying out for colour. We have tiled our kitchen and utility room recently and they're transformed. Agree with poster who said petrol blue or plum.