Like most kitchens, this basement bar kitchenette was all about the materials. Making the right selections is critical to a project's success, especially a kitchen, so how does that work? To make sure we get the selections right, we follow a plan, or more accurately, a selection sequence, that ensures we make the right selections in the right order. ​ For kitchens and bathrooms, material selections follow a simple cadence - one, two, three. First countertops and tile, then plumbing fixtures, and, finally, hardware and accessories. So, why countertops and tile first? ​Simple, they have the greatest impact on the look, color, and mood of a room, and, much like the foundation, they are critical to the stability of a house. Selecting the right countertops (and corresponding tile) is critical to the aesthetic stability of a space. ​In our three step process, the selection of countertops is intricately linked to the selection of tile. Yes, we begin with the countertops, but tile selection is only a half step behind. The two materials work in tandem given their proximity to each other ( often they actually touch each other). Another consideration is selection flexibility. There are literally hundreds of thousands of tile options, making it easier to find the right tile to match the chosen countertops than it is to find countertops to match a specific tile. To the cool and creamy quartzite countertop, we added a dark, rich counterpart - walnut. The elevated countertop, the one where friends sit and upon which drinks are set is warm and welcoming.