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Do beiges, browns, greens limit what I can do for a backsplash?

In answer to your question about the Cambria "Shirebrook" being busy. Yes. You are absolutely right. Yes, it is advisable to do a simple backsplash. If you are going in the contemporary direction, I suggest using glass tile. Pull one of the light colors from the countertop, ie, bone with a muted green undertone. Make sure it blends with the hazy jade green wall color. Please do not use any bright colors on the backsplash.

If you are going in the traditional direction, I advise using tumbled stone 4 x 4 in the light beige color.

Don't bring any color other than the countertop.

We purchased some sink and bath taps that have a 10 year guarantee and within the year the metal disc at the base of the taps which does not seem to be the same quality began to bubble and rust. The retailer got replacement discs and now the same thing has happened for the second time in a short time. Do you have knowledge of this happening before?

First, I would carefully read the 10 year guarantee. Is the disc (the problem) covered under the guarantee? Some guarantees do not cover everything and can be limited in some areas. Next, are you using a cleaning product that should not be used with the faucet? Finally, you have mentioned that your only contact is with the retailer. I would speak directly with the manufacturer. They should have the best solution. Most reputable manufactures of quality kitchen and bath products rely on referrals from people like you and are constantly improving their products based on comments from consumers. Your dealer works with many different manufactures. They may not have the best solution.

I am working on a project with a consumer product company. Mainly I need to understand which is the most common type of non-porous kitchen countertops in US households, as well as kitchen sinks and stovetops in the US Is there any specific study or recent statistics that the NKBA has that will be useful for my project and if so how can I have access to it?

You can find some good information at

We are considering having an undercounter Kitchenaid icemaker installed in our new construction. I'm concerned about the fact it constantly produces ice. Would it be better to just go with a standard icemaker in the refrigerator, or upgrade to the undercounter model?

This is a question that only you can answer. However, let’s see if I can help you with your decision. First, how much ice do you need daily? A 15” icemaker will store 25 lbs. and an 18” will hold 35 lbs. Both sizes are capable of producing 50 lbs. of ice in a 24 hour period. If you entertain frequently you will find either unit very convenient. However, if you do not need more ice that can be supplied by the refrigerator you would not need the additional unit. Next, would you be better off with 15-18” of extra base cabinet storage?  Are you concerned about excess use of energy? If you are not using a large quantity of ice on a daily basis you may be wasting energy that is used to hold the stored ice at a temperature below freezing. Check to see if the unit you are considering has an on/off switch. Some will have this feature. If so, you can turn the unit off until the day before you need extra ice. Finally, if the primary issue is cost of the unit, consider the expense of a trip to the local convenience store for a few bags of ice for your special event. I hope this will help you make your decision.

We are remodeling our kitchen and our cabinets are currently being installed. The contractor is installing the cabinets over the old tile floor where it exists. In areas where it doesn't exist, he is placing the cabinets on the existing slab and shims to raise up the height to match the floor. Is this a correct procedure?

I think your installer is following the best procedure based on the situation. I recommend that before a kitchen is installed for the first time the subfloor should be completely covered with the finished floor material. This eliminates the problem you are facing today. It the flooring is placed after the cabinets are installed you have you have created a “footprint” for the cabinets. This creates a problem when remodeling the kitchen years later. The installer’s other options would include removing all of the old floor tile and then installing a new floor covering. Based on the information you have provided me, I think the installer is doing what is best for you.

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