Torquay is predictably patterned but every carrara tile will be different. I just unboxed a carrara countertop that is almost entirely smoke gray, with only 2 veins of cream. If you have laid out your tile in your space and they look good in that room with the light, then go for it. Hey, I'm putting a $700 polished brass faucet on my little slab of carrara. Nobody does that, either. But in my house, in my space, it's gonna work.

Ha! tour-key sure sounds like turkey, so I'll keep pronouncing it Tor-kay :) Jackie54016 - Most people who come in to our home love the countertops and island and ask if they're marble. (Obviously not GW-ers!). My mixed feelings are due to mistakes on my part, things I'd do differently 'next time'. 1) Seams are getting dirty (no way to do an island our size without seams). 2) Not crazy about the simple edge I picked 3) The pattern is too monochrome / not enough movement in some places. 4) Our cabinets are a creamy white and Torquay looks better with a whiter white. On the plus side, 95% of the time, I'm very happy with it and LOVE how reflective the surface is. I can do pretty much anything to it and with the exception of the seams, there has been no staining or etching. Some slabs definitely have more 'movement'' than others. I'd insist on looking at them and waiting for the right slab(s)! Here is our island: Do you have an inspiration picture or pictures? Please post and solicit input on identifying the elements in it, which make it work. Then, we can answer which surface might be best. I'm linking to my reveal, if you're interested in seeing more pictures. There have been more than a few threads on Torquay, so definitely google them too. Here is a link that might be useful: More pictures of kitchen

I somehow missed the replies to this thread but here is an update (and I am still as confused as ever). There are several slabs of Torquay in from our distributor. However, the Newport, which I finally settled on and was excited about, won't be in until spring. The plant that distributes the Newport got new machinery, from what we were told and so they are behind. I went to the warehouse which we've been working with and looked at the slabs of Torquay. I just couldn't get excited over them like I had been in the past. I guess I had talked myself out of it and now they are an option again. Additionally, I found a beautiful slab of green granite called Coast Green and I fell in love. It would be a totally different look from what I had in mind so as I said before, I am just as confused as ever. Do any of you have new pictures of Torquay to post? My kitchen is a farmhouse kitchen with a farmhouse sink. The walls are a light seafoam green and our cabinets are white with glass knobs. We also have some beadboard around the island. My plan is do go with a white subway tile backsplash. Any advice or suggestions? Any input on the beautiful green granite verses the Cambria Torquay. Newport is definitely out now. Thanks!!!

Nicole, I did everything even more backwards..in the kitchen, I started with the backsplash...:) because the tile was custom and 6 weeks wait at that time, while the slabs are usually there and ready. Well they were there and ready, but I couldn't find the right one for weeks after that. We were going everywhere with the sample of the tile, the floor, the cabinet door..You get the picture. Well found it eventually. Lol. That's why I'm afraid to give you a potentially bad advice by just looking at the screen-I remember what it takes, to choose the material. Had a very similar experience with the counter in the master bath..they gave me some tiny samples(literally, like 2 by 2 at most) and asked to choose. Then I chose. Then I opened a thread here where I mentioned I chose something because people are waiting, but I'm really not sure whether it's the right choice . Then I got some encouragement to speak up. Then I wrote a letter to our GC and Co: "So sorry. I really wanted to make everyone happy but I need a couple more days to choose the stone". Next day, we drove to the slab yards around us, and found a remnant that was like a hundred times better choice than the one I reluctantly chose before. BTW was cheaper than their pre-fab Quartz too. Maybe twice as cheaper. Well the GC and us did get a bit mad at each other, and he stalled us for three weeks not picking that slab. Was not exactly easy for him to pick it up too I must say, as all his guys are not local, and it became a real problem at some point, as the remodel went on and on. Then we met to reconcile, which we did. We silently arrived at consensus -we payed for the slab, even though it was a part of their quote-but they did come to pick it up. Now I love my new counter, and I must say the GC loves it too. Will make his work on that bathroom look much, much better. Which is kinda important thing for somebody who takes pride in what he does. Don't worry. It will fall into place. Try to visit other facility if possible. It's a big decision, you shouldn't be rushed into it. Also look at the remnants they've got there, just in case(if they got them)-who knows, maybe you'll find your stone winking at you. Good luck to you, and I wish I could be more helpful-to me, slabs are the worst..