Black quartz, white shaker kitchen
A gray marbled laminate gave way to a dramatic black quartz — the high-contrast option, in a kitchen built around open shelving and matte black hardware.
- Material
- Black quartz
- Service
- Quartz Countertops
- Completed
- May 2026
Not every kitchen wants a white counter. This one is white shaker cabinets, black hardware, industrial open shelving and a black refrigerator, and the existing gray marbled laminate was doing the worst possible thing: sitting halfway between the two and committing to neither.
Black quartz with a single white vein settles it. The counter now reads as the dark element the room was already asking for, the shelving and hardware line up with it, and the white cabinets get to be the bright thing. The vein keeps it from going flat under the window.
Before and after
On the job
Before: the gray laminate run beside the blue back door and the black refrigerator
The specification
What went in, in the owner’s own words on the job sheet.
| Detail | What we used |
|---|---|
| Completed | May 2026 |
| Material | Black quartz |
| Service | Quartz Countertops |
Town and month only — we do not publish a customer’s address.
About Black quartz
This kitchen is topped in Black quartz. We fabricate it in our own shop, which means the seams, the sink cutout and the edge are cut by the people who set the tops — not shipped in from a third-party shop that never sees the room.
- <a href="/countertops/">See the full countertop range →</a>
- <a href="/services/quartz-countertops/">Quartz Countertops — how the job runs →</a>
- <a href="/guides/">Homeowner guides on choosing and caring for stone →</a>
What a job this size runs
Our published installed-project ranges — the same in every town we serve.
| Kitchen size | Engineered Quartz | Granite | Quartzite | Marble |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galley kitchens (30–45 sqft) | $3,600–$6,750 | $4,200–$7,650 | $4,500–$8,550 | $5,100–$9,000 |
| Small kitchens (45–60 sqft) | $5,400–$9,000 | $6,300–$10,200 | $6,750–$11,400 | $7,650–$12,000 |
| Medium kitchens (60–75 sqft) | $7,200–$11,250 | $8,400–$12,750 | $9,000–$14,250 | $10,200–$15,000 |
| Large kitchens (75–90 sqft) | $9,000–$13,500 | $10,500–$15,300 | $11,250–$17,100 | $12,750–$18,000 |
| Extra large kitchens (90–120 sqft) | $10,800–$18,000 | $12,600–$20,400 | $13,500–$22,800 | $15,300–$24,000 |
Installed project ranges as of 2026-07 — template, fabrication and standard installation included. Your kitchen gets a firm number after a free in-home template.
Questions we got asked on this kind of job
Can thermofoil or laminate cabinet doors be painted?
It is possible but rarely a good bet. The slick vinyl surface resists adhesion even after scuff-sanding and bonding primer, results are not guaranteed to last, and paint cannot fix the classic thermofoil failure - the film peeling away near the oven or dishwasher. If thermofoil is already peeling or yellowing, replacing the doors or the cabinets is usually the more durable spend.
Do Chicago bungalow kitchens need permits to move plumbing or add circuits?
In the City of Chicago, relocating a sink drain or water lines and adding new electrical circuits both require permits, and the city requires licensed plumbers and electricians to pull them - homeowners generally cannot self-permit plumbing or electrical work here. A like-for-like refresh that keeps fixtures in place (new countertops on the existing base cabinets, a same-size sink, cabinet painting) usually needs no permit, but the moment you move the sink or open a wall in a 1920s bungalow you are into permitted, inspected work.
Do I have to tear out the old backsplash, or can new tile go over it?
Tiling over existing tile is technically possible on a sound, flat installation, but most professionals recommend removal: doubling up adds thickness that crowds electrical outlets, window trim, and the counter joint. Removal typically costs $3 to $6 per square foot and often takes chunks of drywall with it, so expect a wall-repair line on the quote - that is normal, not padding.
Do I need a licensed plumber just to disconnect and reconnect my sink for a countertop swap?
In Illinois, yes - the state Plumbing License Law reserves plumbing work, including alterations, to licensed plumbers, and suburbs commonly require a licensed plumber letter of intent with kitchen permits. Wisconsin likewise requires licensed plumbers for plumbing scopes, though the City of Milwaukee lets homeowners pull plumbing permits for their own home. Indiana licenses plumbers statewide but enforcement on small fixture swaps varies by locality. Many countertop installers include a plumber reconnect in the price - confirm that line item in the quote rather than assuming.
Want one like this?
Free in-home template, an honest number, and one crew from measure to install.
Ready for a real number?
Free in-home template and an honest quote — you keep your money until there's a countertop to trade it for.