Quartz Countertops and Full-Height Backsplash for Susan and Steve Seber

Susan and Steve wanted new countertops and a full-height backsplash, but they were keeping the existing cabinets, appliances, flooring, and kitchen layout. Our job was to make the new quartz fit the kitchen that was already there and make the finished surfaces look like they belonged with it.

They chose a white quartz with pronounced gray veining and warmer movement through parts of the pattern. We used the same material for the countertops and backsplash. I liked that choice for this kitchen because the cabinetry and wood floor already had plenty of character. A different backsplash material would have added another pattern. The quartz gave the kitchen a cleaner surface without stripping away what Susan and Steve already liked about the room.

I worked with Susan and Steve directly, and Elena stayed in communication with them throughout the project. The first fieldwork was scheduled for June 18, 2026. We completed the final work on July 3.

This was a replacement project, so we had to work around the dimensions of the existing cabinetry rather than build the kitchen around our stone. The countertop layout included several connected sections, a peninsula, an undermount sink area, and the counters around the range. One main run measured about 134 inches. Another was approximately 119 1/2 inches, and the peninsula section was about 84 1/2 inches long.

The project drawing went through multiple revisions and reached Revision 17 before fabrication. That is normal when we are working with an existing kitchen and several connected pieces. We adjust the drawing until it matches the conditions we actually have to install into.

The backsplash needed its own measurements. Several sections were approximately 18 inches high. The drawing included a 59-inch section and another measuring about 84 1/2 inches. The total backsplash area was approximately 35.9 square feet.
The walls also had outlets, groups of switches, and existing under-cabinet lighting. Those details had to be included in the fabrication plan because a full-height quartz backsplash is not something you trim casually at the wall. The openings need to land where the electrical boxes actually are.

We started the fieldwork on Thursday, June 18. The existing countertops had to come out without damaging the cabinets Susan and Steve were keeping. The crew opened the work areas and pulled the dishwasher forward where access was needed. Removing the old surfaces also gave us a clear view of the cabinet structure underneath.

I always want to see those conditions before the final installation. Existing kitchens are rarely as perfect as a drawing makes them look. Cabinet runs can shift slightly over time, walls are not always square, and appliance openings may differ from their nominal dimensions. The stone has to fit the real kitchen, not the ideal version of it.

The project used three slabs of quartz. The pattern was strong enough that slab layout mattered. We positioned the required pieces over the slab images before cutting so we could control where the larger veins would appear in the finished kitchen.

I do not like cutting patterned quartz based only on which arrangement uses the least material. The visual result matters too. A dramatic vein may work well behind the range or across a long open section. The same vein can look awkward if it gets cut off in a narrow return or lands in the wrong place at a transition.

The backsplash made this more important. A countertop is viewed mostly from above, and part of it will eventually be covered by appliances and everyday kitchen items. The backsplash stays visible. Once the same material goes vertically up the wall, the pattern becomes a much bigger part of the room.

We came back on Thursday, July 2 for the backsplash. Susan and Steve chose to continue the same quartz from the countertop all the way up to the upper cabinets instead of using a short backsplash or a separate tile. The range area shows why that worked well. The quartz continues behind the cooking surface, so the pattern has enough vertical space to be seen. The gray veining is much more noticeable there than it would have been on the countertop alone.

Installation around the electrical boxes took more attention. The wall had standard outlets and larger groups of switches. Our progress photos show the locations being checked as the backsplash pieces were fitted. Existing under-cabinet lighting also remained in place above the new quartz. These are small details in the finished kitchen, but they are not small during installation. A poorly positioned electrical opening is immediately visible in a slab backsplash. The same is true if the top of a panel does not sit correctly below the cabinet.

Friday, July 3 was our final scheduled visit. The countertops were already installed and the backsplash was in place, so this visit was for the remaining finish work and final details. That closed the project 15 calendar days after the first removal visit.
The crew was not working in the house continuously for 15 days. Fabrication and preparation happened between the site visits. That schedule gave us time to complete each stage in the right order instead of trying to force the entire project into one installation day.

The finished kitchen still feels like Susan and Steve's kitchen. We did not change the cabinet style or replace the hardwood floor. We did not change the basic layout either. The new quartz changed the surfaces that had the biggest visual impact. The white background made the countertop area lighter, while the gray veining worked well with the stainless and dark appliances. The warmer tones in the quartz also sat naturally next to the cream cabinetry and wood flooring.
Using the same material on the backsplash made the biggest difference. The countertop and wall now read as one finish instead of two unrelated surfaces. The pattern has room to show behind the range and below the upper cabinets, especially when the under-cabinet lights are on.

Susan later left us a five-star Google review and wrote:

“It was truly a pleasure working with Yuriy and Elena. They are both extremely professional and quick to respond to questions. We couldn’t be happier with our new kitchen countertops and backsplash. The entire team from the gentleman that creates the template to the men who install the quartz , all are extremely meticulous and take pride in their work. I highly recommend PG Countertops!”

I like that she noticed the process, not only the finished stone. A customer sees the countertops after everything is cleaned up. Our team sees the measurements, drawing revisions, slab layout, electrical openings, and all the small decisions that have to be right before the kitchen gets to that point.

Susan and Steve got the finished surface they wanted. For us, the job was making sure all the work behind it stayed out of sight.