Even though we moved to a new home, and it has been seven years since I chose to buy Viatera’s Minuet white quartz for our fixer upper’s kitchen, I still field questions about this particular white quartz countertop almost every single day! Since we chose Minuet for this renovated kitchen after a thorough search, I’ll try to inform and enlighten you as best I can in 15 Smart Reasons to Choose Minuet Viatera Quartz.
Choosing a material for kitchen counters can be a daunting one, and I personally spent a fair amount of time mulling over options even after deciding on bright white quartz.
Seven years later, I still love Viatera Minuet quartz! In fact, Viatera Muse was recently installed at the new house, and while beautiful, Minuet still has my heart (what can I say, I wanted to try another pattern!). This is not s sponsored post, by the way. Nope…I paid hard earned cash for these pretty quartz counters!
This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.
15 Smart Reasons to Choose Minuet Viatera Quartz
See Our Kitchen In Person!
In this short video I made (ignore me, just watch for the countertop in our kitchen!) you’ll get a glimpse of Viatera Minuet.
No. 1: Quartz Offers a Healthy Surface Free of Formaldehyde
Because quartz is not porous like natural marble, it won’t absorb nasty unhygienic substances left behind on the countertop.
While a countertop material like laminate is also solid, it may contain formaldehyde which can be toxic. Since I’m allergic to formaldehyde, this solid surface keeps me breathing freely.
Read more about the benefits of Viatera quartz here.
No. 2: Minuet’s Veining: Not Too Subtle, Not Too Bold
I am often asked about Minuet’s veining, and I would have to rate it somewhere in the middle in terms of its boldness.
Other samples of quartz I viewed at home were slightly more subtle. For example, Caesarstone London Grey, Viatera Cirrus. Additionally, there were plenty of samples with bolder veining (i.e. Silestone Pietra).
But is it too busy? Not for my taste, although this is a subjective matter. Order or borrow samples from the showroom to see what pleases your eye.
No. 3: Minuet is Reflective & Bounces Around the Light
The surface of Minuet was an important factor since our kitchen receives filtered Western light and shaded Northern exposure.
Since I crave natural light, I didn’t want dark expanses in the space, sucking up what light we do receive.
Viatera Minuet’s polished surface is graced with the right amount of sheen for my taste.
Additionally, we chose a polished marble for the backsplash wall. We even hung a mirror above the counter to bounce the maximum amount of light around!
The kitchen’s light changes throughout the day, and this ‘before’ pic gives an idea of how dim it can get. (All the cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring, etc. were replaced. In fact, the window seat is about all that stayed!)
No. 4: Lots of Lemons & Limes Sliced Here
I adore natural stone and white marble, but you don’t want to mix your citrus with those materials!
While lemon juice won’t stain marble, its acidic content can etch it. Do you spill coffee or red wine frequently on the kitchen counter? Quartz may become your best friend.
No. 5: White Sinks Pair Beautifully With Minuet
Truth be told, I never gave a thought to how Viatera Minuet quartz would pair with the fireclay farmhouse sink chosen for our kitchen design.
The sink was one of the first purchases for the kitchen and remained in the box until installation. What a triumph they harmonize so well together!
No. 6: Sings With a Polished Marble Mosaic Backsplash
I am frequently asked about the marble subway mosaic tile chosen for the statement wall in the kitchen. With so many options for a tile backsplash, it was important to decide on the counters first.
Polished venatino mosaic subway tile (found on the shelf at Lowe’s is right here).
No. 7: Scratches Happen But Don’t Jump Out
If you’re like me, you freak out when the first scratches on your perfect new quartz countertop occur!
Our Minuet quartz was installed in 2015, and subtle scratches have yet to bug me enough to get them buffed. It is a forgiving surface that doesn’t easily etch or scratch.
No. 8: Feels Like a Dreamy French Pastry Worktop
Even if you’re not going for a French bakery look, you may appreciate Viatera Minuet quartz’s crisp clean look!
No. 9: Minuet Accepts a Fair Amount of Abuse in This Kitchen
Occasionally I am asked whether I’m one of those bloggers who actually cooks and bakes. YEP. I’m not just styling pretty things to market.
Ours is a real working kitchen, and since it’s not very large, every work surface with quartz is regularly used and abused.
In addition, I’m kind of a kitchen klutz in terms of dropping pans, dishes, hot soup, you name it. Minuet looks awesome after years of abuse.
No. 10: Ethereal Grey Veining is Forgiving
While I love the look of some calacatta-imitating quartz options, their large expanses of white give me pause.
The amount of veining in Minuet brililiantly conceals everyday crumbs and the occasional scratch. If you have lived solid color countertops, you may understand what I’m getting at.
No. 11: Doesn’t Evolve Like My Carrara Marble in Bathroom
This point relates to the previous one about Minuet’s forgiving nature. Since natural carrara marble was chosen for our bathrooms, I can report evolving changes in the marble.
Parts of the marble counter are discolored from age and use. Also, there are multiple scratches in the marble.
Additionally, the porous marble vanity tops absorb liquids. Let’s face it, corrosive substances (whether from personal hygiene or cleaning products) can harm natural stone.
Carrara may have caused me headaches in the kitchen!
No. 12: Gentle, Lyrical Veining Movement
With so many white quartz options on the market, you might find the process of choosing one dizzying.
Some of the veining patterns themselves can be dizzying!
I like Minuet’s gentle pattern which (1) doesn’t feel overly faux, yet (2) is fairly uniform.
In choosing quartz, I certainly wasn’t trying to ‘fake’ natural marble. That should never be the point. Rather, I simply wanted a hardworking surface to work harmoniously with the balance of design elements.
No. 13: Sets a Serene & Cloudlike Mood
Light grey veining in Minuet provides sufficient contrast with the quartz’s white background while also remaining subtle.
If you’re after an elegant, timeless, and tranquil mood in the kitchen, this countertop color may also be right for you.
Another Viatera quartz color I fell in love with was Soprano.
We put Soprano in our Arizona kitchen when we completely gave it a makeover without any demo…just upgrades. See it RIGHT HERE.
No. 14: More Elegant, Formal, and French Inspired Than the Earthy Quartz in Our Last Kitchen
In our prior French country kitchen I designed, a warm sand-hued quartz worked well with creamy cabinets and travertine marble accents.
While it was a wonderful quartz to live with, I prefer the elegance of Minuet, which imparts less of a beachy organic feel.
No. 15: Imparts a Classic Look For a Variety of Kitchen Design Styles
How can I be confident Viatera Minuet quartz works well with other kitchen designs?
Because my sister Jo chose it for her modern classic kitchen with its wraparound raised bar counter.
Let’s peek at Jo’s kitchen.
Minuet Quartz in a More Modern Kitchen
She continued Viatera Minuet material in the baths throughout her newly built home too.
Jo still has nothing but love for this quartz, and since I’m a frequent visitor to this home, I can attest to its enduring good looks!
And like me, Jo loves to cook so this kitchen takes a lot of abuse.
It’s nice to see the same countertop with varying design elements, yes?
For example, Jo’s hardwood floors are stained a very dark brown.
There isn’t as much grey in her kitchen as ours.
Here you can see Minuet quartz surrounding an undermount stainless sink:
If you’re lucky enough to have space for a long buffet as she does…
Minuet looks lovely for this reduced depth entertainer’s dream buffet:
You can also see that the lighting is different in her kitchen than in mine.
That is why it is so important to bring a sample home to examine closely in your unique space.
A few years back, we bought a vacation home in Arizona to fix up and completely made over the kitchen, choosing Viatera quartz for the counters.
We went for a warmer, creamier look with Viatera Soprano…see that kitchen HERE.
FIND MORE TIPS FOR CHOOSING A WHITE QUARTZ in this story HERE and do discover WHITE KITCHEN INSPIRATION HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
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I have minuet in my kitchen & absolutely love it. Remodeled kitchen & now I have to move!
So, here we go again! I am going to have to paint cabinets white & reproduce my kitchen all over.
My dilemma is flooring color. Yours in the pic looks really nice. Could you recommend a flooring color ?
I was thinking about wood look porcelain tile, can’t find one I like. Have any suggestions?
I didn’t want anything too dark.
Author
Hi Vicki. Our floors are white oak hardwood left natural with just poly on top. I love them and they are much more comfortable to stand on than tile. They are 5″ wide planks, and here’s a similar pre-finished product: https://rstyle.me/+nRKIeS4ArC_vhYdK8Iqe0g Here’s a blonde porcelain tile with a similar look: https://rstyle.me/+0AlTqJ-EHFDSOBZ-Lo3AEw but keep in mind most of the tile in this price range (around $2/sq.ft) are 24″ long while wood planks are considerably longer and random lengths. For a laminate option mimicking white oak or French oak, this is similar to ours: https://rstyle.me/+ONVXGtYEsfit_VHlNS81IA Hope this helps! Let me know how things progress.
Hello! Do you remember the exact color that you have in your kitchen? It looks beautiful and I would like to do the same!
Author
Hi Lindsey. Yep – it’s Benjamin Moore White – the base white used to mix all their colors. You can have them mix it or just get the ultra white off the shelf – no undertones so it won’t be yellowish, tanish or greyish. But it is very white and bright. Let me know if you have other questions. 🙂
Hi! I love everything about your kitchen! We are about to remodel ours and I’m basically using all of your recommendations, the quartz, the background, painting the cabinets BM White etc. The only difference is that our floors are a very dark. I’m trying to picture it in my head and make sure it will all still tie in together – are there any changes or suggestions you would make if you were doing this with a dark wood floor?
Thanks!!
Author
Hi Lauren. Dark floors will look great and maybe just a bit more formal. I’m not sure I have taken a picture of the vintage wood bread boards I placed behind the cooktop (against the marble tile backsplash) which brings in some rustic, natural warmth. But you could definitely bring in the tone of the floors with cutting boards or even a wood sign if you feel like it needs some repetition. Hope this helps! 🙂
We had Minuet countertops installed 3 months ago and words can’t describe just how beautiful and serene and cloud-like soft looking they are. We painted the walls SW Light French Gray, have white cabinets with a fair amount of glass fronted cabinets, BM Oxford Gray island, and chose a marble backsplash from Elon Tile which is a kaleidoscope of honed pacific gray and pearl white. I would choose Minuet again in a heartbeat.
Author
The combination sounds amazing, Mary Beth – thanks so much for reading this and letting us know. 🙂
I’d love to see photos of your marble backsplash with minuet! Sounds lovely.
I’d love to see photos of your kitchen! Thanks.
Author
Hi there! All of the images in this post are my kitchen – do you mean the kitchen in the house we are renovating?
What make and model cook top and double oven did you select for (perhaps photo #17 shows both quite well) you remodel? Thank you for sharing your wonderful taste and all the research that goes into your blog. You are the BEST!!!
Author
Hi Penny. They are Bosch – the 800 series. We have the dishwasher (behind a Shaker panel) and French door frig from the series as well. Thanks so much for the kind words, and I hope you’ll visit often. It’s always great to hear from folks around the globe, and I appreciate your time. 🙂
Please only post Penny as the author in my last comment and not Penny … in your answer to my question. Thank you so much.
Author
You got it! Made those edits. 🙂
Hello Michelle!
Your kitchen and whole house is – well – lovely!
I noticed you used real marble on the backsplash, which is what I wanted to do if I chose a quartz. ( I HAVE to have some real marble somewhere !)
Could you please share what type you used and did you have any problem coordinating it with the Minuet?
Any help would be appreciated and thank you for your blog and many pictures. This process has been DAUNTING and stressful to say the least!
Stay well!
JJ Taylor
Author
Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m happy to share the info about the backsplash. The exact product is right here, and I hope you love it as much as we do! https://rstyle.me/+i4mci6-VcBbjqrdWhy9wqw Don’t be alarmed at how white the marble may appear in the photo. Since it’s a natural product, it has this wonderful variation, lots of grey and grey-blue veining, and the collective result is stunning. 🙂
What col0r are cabinets? Love your kitchen. I’m refinishing cabinets and getting new counters. We have a off white/creme doors and baseboards and struggling with what color white To go in kitchen. Thought alabaster but didn’t know what counters would go.
Author
My cabinets are maple and have a finish called “White Icing” from the maker (Schuler). I’ll try to color match it so I can be more helpful for folks who want a precise paint color to complement the Viatera Minuet quartz. I think the white paint color for your cabinets is going to depend on the age/look of the cabinets. If they are simple and Shaker style, a brighter pure white may be just fine for an updated, fresh contemporary look. If they are very traditional and heavy raised doors, I might recommend a white such as Benjamin Moore White Dove. It is a white I have used to paint many traditional furniture pieces and better suited for say, an oak door where the grain will be coming through. There are plenty of non-bright-white countertop choices that will look great with white cabinets. Silestone Lagoon reads very light grey to me and is a lovely neutral to use with a range of whites. No need to get matchy, but it is far wiser to start with your counter choice and then choose a paint color based on the sample which you view in your kitchen and not just in a showroom. Hope this helps, and let me know if you need further clarification.
beautiful kitchen! Both your and your sister’s. Can you please tell me what type of subway backsplash is in your sister’s kitchen? We are updating out kitchen and were going to choose Calcutta Ultra but now that I have seen your pics I love your quartz choice. Do you have an opinion about Calcutta Ultra vs yours?
Author
Thanks so much for reading! My sister used a glossy white subway tile (https://rstyle.me/+BAzuoH7Km02gISL89ZLcGQ) with white grout for a more subtle effect. That Calacatta Ultra looks gorgeous, and it truly is a matter of do you like the look of very traditional carrara marble where there is more delicate soft veining (which Minuet mimics) or the look of calacatta marble which has more substantive, dramatic veining and is popular in many contemporary or modern designs. Carrara tends to be a little greyer than calacatta which often is bright white. However, Minuet is bright as I describe in the post. It also depends on the kitchen design. I love the look of calacatta or quartz that looks like calacatta on those big luxurious islands with a waterfall edge. It feels very modern. But in more humble spaces, calacatta may look out of place. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions as I am happy to help.
Hi! I LOVE your kitchen! We have been doing on & off upgrades to our kitchen over the past year. Nothing major but a rejuvenation. The countertop had been put on hold a few months prior to COVID and now am finally getting back to it. Unfortunately, I have had my heart set on minuet for the countertops and now it seems that Home Depot is not carrying it any longer. Any advice?? Please..
Author
There are plenty of vendors outside of Home Depot so look locally at places which stock granite and marble since they probably have quartz as well. My own Minuet came from a local company, not Home Depot. Also check Viatera/LG Hausys website to find stockists.
The kitchen is beautiful! I plan to update our kitchen using Minuet quartz as well. I’m not sure what “white” would look best to paint our cabinets in a north facing room and one that will work well with the Minuet. Help! Ideas anyone?!
Author
You definitely need to see my posts about choosing white paint (type ‘how to choose white paint’ in search box), and choose at least 3 samples after the quartz is installed. Watch how they change throughout the day.
We just renovated a home and used Minuet in the kitchen and all the bathrooms. I used Simply White by Benjamin Moore and it really looks nice. I prefer a bit of a “warm white” as opposed to a bright white and was really happy with that combination.
I love your kitchen and was so impressed with your comparison of the various white quartz! I am remodeling my kitchen now and feel that so many choices have way too much gold for what I am looking for and others have too much ‘veining’ and or the veining is too dark against the white backdrop. I was 100% certain I was going to get simple white subway until I saw your polished marble against Minuet. Nice job. I do have a question, what hardware did you use on your cabinets?
Author
Thanks so much for the kind words and for reading. I do love our backsplash and never tire of the polished marble. Cabinet pulls are brushed steel, and do note the measurement is 3 3/4″ between screws rather than the length of the actual pull which is a little more than 5″ (a little confusing!) so here is the product: https://rstyle.me/+wl9b-8UTKzi2xpIlJW_EyA Let me know if you have any other questions – always happy to help.
Your kitchen is beautiful! I also just had Minuet countertops installed and love them! I am struggling to choose a backsplash tile and cabinet color.. I tend to lean to warmer, creams and taupe/beige. Is there a paint color (for traditional, oak cabinets) you would recommend that is light but leans to the creamy side that would work well with Minuet? Thanks so much for this post!!
Author
Thank you! My first choice for oak cabinets with Minuet would be a bleached look (sometimes called cerused or limed or stripped). I have yet to master any sort of technique for achieving that look though and would rely on an artisan with experience. To get an idea of what warmer colors look like with Minuet – see my post from yesterday: https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/2020/09/perfect-putty-paint-colors-for-kitchens-beyond.html which will help you get an idea visually and also equip you with some paint color samples to try.
I love your kitchen and just had my Minuet countertops installed. I am using a marble tile backsplash being installed today similar to yours and I will be installing the handles you have as well which are in my house already and have a really nice weight to them. Additionally I am painting with the Benjamin Moore white you recommend. For my breakfast nook attached to my galley kitchen I will be placing a while tulip table with a banquette and 2 ghost chairs similar to the ones your sister used. A “slate” tile floor was installed. Several of my upper cabinets will have glass doors,
Thank you ladies for your inspiration and my French bakery look! My kitchen remodel was way overdue!
Author
How wonderful, Laurie! I am so happy to hear how your design is unfolding, and of course it sounds perfect to me. I have had my eye on a Saarinen style round white dining table for a long time since it would be perfect for my breakfast area or dining room. You are reminding me how much I love those tulip tables! Stay in touch and send pics if you can!
Thank you for your post. Would you recommend Minuet for off white cabinets? I’m looking to update my kitchen by switching out the countertops but struggling to figuring out which quartz would best match my cabinets that are creamy (SW). Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Author
I love mixing whites and can imagine Minuet working with off white cabinets if there are other opportunities to bring pops of bright white and grey. You can also take a peek at Viatera Soprano which we used in our Arizona kitchen with grey cabinets.. It is a warm, creamy white which looks wonderful with Calacatta Gold marble, which we used on a statement wall. Hopefully you can get good sized samples of these to live with and compare before pulling the trigger. 🙂
I love your sisters subway tile. I am going with Minuet for counter and leaning toward the white subway. Do you think it would look good with wood cabinets. I do not have white cabinets. They are not honey but a warm color they are hickory
Author
I think it will look incredible! I love hickory cabinets and had them in the kitchen of our ranch home (before the French manor one). I think the warmth of the wood with the crisp white and grey will be gorgeous. Exciting!
Oh I just posted this same question but my hickory cabinets have some movement. Do you think this counter top has too much movement with that movement in my cabinets?
Author
Thanks so much for the further clarification. 🙂
Is your Minuet surface honed or shiny? Thanks so much..
Author
HI there. It’s shiny and polished – I don’t think it comes with a honed option. 🙂
I’m considering this counter top but have natural hickory cabinets and can never find pictures that would be similar. Wanting opinions if this would be a good match.
Author
You raise a really smart question which probably applies to wood species beyond hickory. We had gorgeous hickory custom cabinets a few homes ago, and because they had very little character/movement, Minuet would have worked just fine and would be an unexpected choice for the more rugged, casual look. However, our floors were also hickory (natural and wild with a ton of knots and character) which I would not have liked with this quartz. So your floor may help you decide too. If it were me, I would play it safer and go with something like Soprano (we put this in a second home and you can type it into the search on my blog to find photos and info) which has some warm caramel veining with the grey. While Soprano isn’t a crisp white, there would be more harmony and lower contrast with the wood tone which I’m always after. Let me know if this makes sense.
Hello, it’s so nice to see your beautiful kitchen. I am about to replace my kitchen counters and Minuet and Rococo are my current favorites. When I came to your site, I was specifically wondering if Minuet would look good with a light or mid toned wood (look) floor which mine will be, rather than a darker, more formal wood floor. It looks like your floor is light to mid toned and it looks lovely with Minuet so I guess that answers my question, so thank you for this inspirational post!
Author
I think I would love Minuet with light or mid toned wood, and I’m dying to see this combo. The reason I think it would appeal to me? There is something simply magical that happens with a cool grey paired with warm amber tones (or gold). The look is very fresh yet timeless for me. Minuet has a formality about it for sure, but you’re right, if you like it with our white oak floors, you’ll probably like it with cabinets in that tone range. Email pics of whatever you do michele at hellolovelystudio dot com – it will help lots of folks! 🙂
Recommendations for Sherwin Williams cabinet color for Minuet countertop?
Author
If you’re seeking a white paint color – SW Pure White is probably a safe choice. Let me know if you’re open to greys and other colors. 🙂
I agree – in my primary bathroom I have Minuet countertops and SW Pure White cabinets and walls, and I think it’s a perfect combination.
Author
Oooooh – thanks for letting us know – it always gives others confidence when we can hear about the combinations that harmonize. 🙂
Your countertops are gorgeous! I have been leaning towards minuet and I am thankful to have found this post! Would you share what your floors are? They look like a nice mid-tone?.
Author
Thank you! They are white oak hardwoods – left natural without a stain and just a matte poly on top. Let me know if you have any other questions as I am always happy to help! 🙂
I haven’t made it to see slabs yet but have an unusual situation. We have a U shaped kitchen with a tremendous peninsula. The issue I foresee is the need for a butt joint from the peninsula connecting to the counter as the length is 142″. Would the veining in your counter mesh in this manner or would it clash something fierce? Ie. Horizontal veining
Author
I can see your concern, and if it were me, I would have to see a mockup with two pieces of whatever quartz you are considering to make the call. Joints are tricky business, and the only one we have here is mostly hidden under the cooktop.
Beautiful kitchen! We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel and I am using he quartz similar in appearance. Although I have no hesitation replacing the granite with quartz I am concerned about finding an easy cleaning method for the quartz.I am definitely used to a “spray and go” kind of lifestyle and I was just wondering if there is something that you particularly use to keep your courts clean but not spend forever doing that 🙂
Author
Quartz is so much more forgiving than granite and so much easier to live with since it is antibacterial and not porous like stone. I spray and wipe mine down with a capful of this diluted in water: https://rstyle.me/+YVwnAZO1nCxrKcprlAk6Eg – it’s a big bottle that lasts FOREVER.
You are sharing an outstanding article. Keep sharing more articles.
Author
🙂
Modern house interior designs are great for homes. thanks for sharing information.
Hi, I keeping coming back to your blog and Minuet as my North Star Quartz and marble back splash, if I don’t go with Carrara marble. That said, has anyone paired minuet as a slab for the backsplash with the countertop? Or even used a larger piece framed by the marble tile around it above the stove? Few quartz’s aside from Minuet, May be worthy of placing as slab pieces. I’ve seen this with Rococco, but for my taste, might be a bit busy for my eyes. Would love your insight and vision. Where can I get a larger sample of Minuet, btw? Thanks.
Author
I love it when quartz is used for a backsplash and am confident I would love Minuet installed this way since I have experience with using Viatera Soprano in that way. It was so elegant and easy to live with in our second home (you can see it if you type Arizona fixer as keywords in the search on my home page). As for a large sample of Minuet, I would check your local businesses that carry Minuet and visit a warehouse to see a slab. You might contact Viatera.com about buying a large sample. While the big box stores don’t tend to have decent size samples, reputable kitchen designers and design firms often do so you could check your local businesses.
Hi, Michele!
We are in the process of making selections for our home build. Thanks to your incredible post, we have happily agreed on the Minuet quartz! We also love your backsplash. Thank you so much for providing all of this information.
We are going with a darker flooring. We saw pictures of your sister’s kitchen. Do you happen to know what flooring she has? We were hoping to do a wood-look tile that would maybe be a bit more affordable as well as good for high traffic (kids and dogs) and wet areas. Do you have thoughts/opinions on wood vs wood-looking tile? It looks like your sister’s is actual wood, and we do really love how it looks in these pictures!
Thank you in advance for any advice and information you can provide!
Author
I’m so happy to hear you’re moving forward with your design plans – so exciting! My sister’s floors are hardwood and handscraped so fairly expensive. They look just as incredible now as when they were installed maybe because of the distressed finish. Haven’t heard any complaints from her, and I know she much prefers the comfort of standing on wood rather than tile flooring. I find the dark stain with white counters/cabinets a more modern, formal, and high contrast look which is less consistent with the European country softer look I prefer. After 6 years of heavy use, our kitchen hardwoods need refinishing – daily dripping of water from dishwasher unloading is definitely beginning to show and scratches in high traffic areas are getting obvious. So I don’t blame you for considering alternatives – LVP might make sense for getting just the right color, living with pets, comfort, budget, and avoiding fumes and mess during installation. I’m not crazy about grout, but my favorite wood-look tile is when it is installed in a herringbone pattern. Best to you, and let me know if you have other questions.
Hey Michelle!
This is super helpful!
One question….did you consider the LG Viatera Cirrus quartz? It’s similar to Minuet as well. Any comments about those in comparison? And what would your comment be about SW Snowbound for cabinets? That was recommended to me with the Minuet.
Thank you!
Author
I’m so glad! Regarding Cirrus – yes, when I was narrowing down my favs for our last home, it came down to Cirrus & Minuet. Cirrus was a little more “painterly” and oh so similar to Minuet which has more of a French bakery, crisp look. Not sure you can go wrong with either. YES to Snowbound with Minuet – those grey undertones will look stunning. Let me know if you have further questions – always happy to help. And best to you on your kitchen design!
My bathroom vanity is Viatera Minuet. Could you suggest an affordable shower tile, please?
Author
I like minimal grout so this large scale calacatta-look porcelain tile for less than $2 a s.f. could be lovely in a staggered pattern: https://rstyle.me/+za0SuXPGbasVh8V2SjzNLQ You could use it on floor and shower walls and then use this timeless marble mosaic for shower floor: https://rstyle.me/+7JZnGBg3aAIL8Ja_BblRsA
I really like and appreciate your selections. Initially, I had chosen SW Agreeable Gray for wall color because it was described as gray with beige tones. I felt that I needed this because of greatroom furniture fabric colors. Would there be a better choice of a gray shade? Also, could you recommend a hardwood floor in a medium to light tone that would look good with the paint color. Thank you so much for your help!
Author
Happy to help! If you have natural light in the room, look at Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray. If it is a dim room, BM Classic Gray is a greyed white I used in my own family room and downstairs bath. If the bath will get moisture, maybe consider a wood look tile or engineered hardwood with some water resistance. I like the white oak options here: https://rstyle.me/+xWZZhj-ZsP37gp_X7pErUg Let me know if you need an idea for a wood look tile.
Is there a Sherwin Williams similar to Classic Gray. What paint colors did you use for ceilings and trim?
Author
Sherwin Williams Ice Cube would be similar. I painted ceilings and trim Benjamin Moore White OC-151 – a SW comparable color would be Extra White.
I would like your help with my guest bathroom, please. Should I use the same cabinets, etc. that I am using in the master bath or do I select a similar look? Could you make suggestions for cabinets, countertop, floor and shower wall? Thank you for your continued help!
Author
I don’t feel there are any rules, and I would aim to do what is good for resale as well as make guests comfy. Here’s a solid wood vanity with carrera marble top set I’m crushing on that is budget friendly: https://rstyle.me/+wdTvJo5tnrZTbtCLS57qkg For the floor tile, I have used this marble hex time and time again since it never goes out of style: https://rstyle.me/+YTtiUh5_UM3OnjFHwcVPyQ For a change from subway tile, you could use a square tile that looks handmade in light grey or white for the shower: https://rstyle.me/+B5f5XM5z8KoGYFaJRMstsg
I would appreciate a less expensive alternative to Viatera Minuet quartz and Venatino Polished Marble backsplash? Do you have any suggestions?
Author
Hi there. When I was shopping for quartz, Minuet came in at the lowest price point so I don’t have a quartz suggestion. For solid surface, you could look at Hi-MACS Aurora Bianco and even though the Allen + Roth polished venatino backsplash we used is pretty inexpensive, you could use plain old white subway tile which off the shelf will be less than a buck a square foot.
I think I must be confused by pricing at Home Depot since they didn’t have Minuet. The Viatera quartz was in the Best category so I assumed it was the most expensive quartz. I really like Minuet and Venatino.
Author
I bought Minuet at a local family owned stone yard that carried lots of brands. They came out and measured and then supplied me with a quote then did the fabricating and installation. So do check locally. The backsplash is Allen + Roth Polished Venatino Subway Mosaic Tile right on the shelf at Lowe’s or online at Lowe’s.
Hi Michele. I have selected a gray wall color similar to Classic gray, but with slight beige tone because of fabric/furniture colors. Do you have suggestions for LVP brands/colors because I can’t decide between a lighter or darker floor color.
Author
Hi there. If you like a European inspired look, lighter tones make sense. I recently shopped for LVP and found an awesome option at Home Depot with a misleading name. The brand is Lifeproof and the color is Dusk Cherry. Here’s the link: https://rstyle.me/+CXwSZJtTr6WWXckhvGEMNw
It is a dead ringer for white oak hardwood and just a gorgeous color. The quality seems high. See what you think.
Wow! Thank you for your quick and helpful reply!!
I will go to look at this color today. Is there a medium color that I could also consider while there?
Author
That’s a great idea to go with a color in between…maybe it will solve the dilemma! 🙂
Wow! Thank you for your reply! I will look at this today. Is there a dark color that I could use that I could also look at?
Author
Look within this same line of Lifeproof brand LVP since there are darker options. When you think you have found one or two, read through the comments/reviewers where you should find customer photos which tell the whole story and will give you confidence. Keep in mind that a darker floor is going to have a slightly more formal feel and shows dust.
Is there an LVP brand with very little ‘movement’? I find planks that I like, then if a full room floor picture is available, it’s very blotchy instead of more even and smooth. I have been researching and visiting showrooms and have concluded that with my existing furniture, I can not have a busy floor. Thank you for your help!
Author
I highly recommend searching online (i.e. Home Depot) and after seeing a color that holds promise, view the customer photos for full room shots. 🙂
Thank you! Could you tell me the name and size of your kitchen backsplash, please.
Author
They are 12×12 mosaic tiles, Allen + Roth Polished Venatino marble at Lowe’s. 🙂
Hi, I am planning on using a porcelain encaustic tile it has navy in it, and will do white cabinets ( maybe a lighter blue bottom cabinets ) But for quartz I seen the Viatera Minuet love it yet I think it will be too busy veining and so wondering if you had any other suggestions. I have marble in my bathroom vanity with the veining similar to Minuet and its ok with this encaustic tile design as its a small space of counter top. Where as kitchen with large bar would be much more busy. YET 🙂 I wanted to Love the quartz vs basic white especially for cost of quartz. I saw port rush with cambria and a travella , but looking for something more affordable in quartz as Cambria is top cost.
Author
Hi Diane. I hear you. It’s such a challenging task to choose a quartz even when you narrow it down to white! We moved last month, and I am renovating the kitchen in our new place. I seriously considered doing Minuet again because I honestly love it still. But because it was special order, the bid came in considerably higher (like 50% more than similar Viatera color choices). So I chose Viatera Muse and went through Home Depot. To be honest, I don’t like it as much as Minuet, but it may be what YOU are after because instead of the busy veining, it has wide expanses of white (reminiscent of calacatta). It has a more modern French feel which works well with my other choices for this kitchen. However, I’m worried about the daily live-ability since there isn’t as much delicate, busy veining to hide scratches that are likely to happen over the years. We never noticed scratches with Minuet…probably because the grey veins hide them better than the vulnerable white. If you’re thinking of a creamy white quartz, Viatera Soprano is what we used in our Arizona kitchen, and it is dreamy. It is affordable through Home Depot as well. If you search “Arizona kitchen” on my blog you can find photos.
I may have missed the post, but are you remodeling the new house and will do posts on it?
Definitely doing Quartz in my next house. Also want to use it as walls in the shower so no tile grout lines to clean.
Author
Hi Colleen! Yes – we have been tackling projects at the new house rather slowly since we both work full time and ummm, we’re old now! I’ll be sharing the before/afters, but right now on the blog it’s just my closet I shared the other day. This is a more complicated reno as the Georgian house is so traditional and fussy. We’re doing what we want to feel at home but not trying to impose modernity – a future owner can knock down walls and make structural changes for improved flow if that is desired. Our new quartz counters are in, and while I don’t like them as much as Minuet, the color story is similar. I like the forgiving nature of Minuet’s veining, and you may remember Milieu’s showhouse featured Minuet in several places. My sister has it in her bathrooms, and it’s gorgeous.
Could you tell me about cabinet knobs and pulls, please? How do you choose where to use knobs vs pulls? What sizes are best? Where do you find good prices? I really like the look you your cabinet hardware.
Author
I wanted a modern style that also felt calm and didn’t steal any thunder. My cabinet pulls are from Home Depot: Liberty Hardware brushed steel, and do note the measurement is 3 3/4″ between screws rather than the length of the actual pull which is a little more than 5″ (a little confusing!) so here is the exact product: https://rstyle.me/+wl9b-8UTKzi2xpIlJW_EyA As far as pulls or knobs, it’s all personal preference, so my best advice is to type “kitchen” into my search box and begin looking at tons of photos of kitchens. Expand the photos and notice the hardware on cabinetry. It’s okay to use knobs everywhere on cabinet doors and drawers. It’s also okay to use a combination. I didn’t use a combination because again, my personal style is understated and I wanted to create flow so that your eye didn’t stop with the introduction of a different style of hardware. If you look around your own home, you might find different hardware examples so you can study them a little to see how they feel in your hand and what your eye prefers. As far as size, again, it’s best to find a photo where the proportion looks right to you. The hardware can also express the style you’re going for in the kitchen. Modern oversized pulls can give life and freshness to traditional cabinetry. If you’re starting from scratch and will be installing the hardware for the first time rather than just swapping out new hardware, I know it can be daunting. Buy a few different examples to sample before pulling the trigger. As far as price, there is a wide range for every budget. Our solid, hand-forged pulls and knobs in our Arizona kitchen were top notch and expensive from Top Knobs. They were heavy and fabulous. But if the budget is tight, you’ll still find good quality options.
We are building a new house and I’m using the Minuet quartz. Probably white cabinets, although we had white cabinets on our last build. I’d like a suggestion on a color for the island cabinets. Can you help. I’m pretty traditional. Thanks
Author
If you like the grey veining of Minuet, you may like Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on the island. It’s beautiful and I’ll probably be using it for my new kitchen, although I’m thinking of using it at 70% (for a slightly less saturated, lighter grey version). You could also consider doing all the base cabinets in this grey and keeping uppers white. Let me know if you need more paint color suggestions beyond greys.
Actually, Since a week I was very seriously looking for Luxurious kitchen Worktops for my dream house. I was confused about which to select and now after reading this blog, all my queries got clarified. Thankyou so much for sharing!
Author
glad this helped!
Thank you for this great post! I have Benjamin Moore white dove cabinets and I’m wondering if minuet would look too white against white dove? I don’t want anything that will make white dove appear yellow. I’d also love any other quartz suggestions that you think would pair well with white dove.
Author
I can imagine White Dove working well with Minuet for a timeless, French or Parisian bakery look. The lighting in your kitchen is going to affect your perception of yellowness in White Dove more than the counters. The fact that they won’t match is a bonus and not a detriment since it creates a sophistication we’re always after. You could definitely consider all the light grey quartz options as well – they are beautiful with White Dove.