kim k: So, so sorry I didn't reply to your post. The grit/counter issues were resolved, sort of, in that I settled for a crappy job and had to move on with my life. The ugly details here, if you care to see/read. Scroll down to 6/10/2017, 1:08 p.m. post for the small claims update. The entire process has paralyzed me to a point where we are still without a backsplash. I'm so gun shy about hiring anyone at this point, DH and I have been contemplating DIY. I just need to get up the energy to find someone local (a master/certified tiler) who will take the job. (If anyone in the Houston area can recommend someone, I'm all ears. No disrespect to handyman-types who might do a great job, but I don't want to take any chances.) Over the past 18 months, I've turned my attention to something more gratifying and soul fulfilling than being angry about my kitchen: butterfly gardening! Butterflies will not fail you, people. :) --------- It you have specific questions, kim k, perhaps I can at least provide my experiences (i.e., are you considering having macaubus/calacatta quartzite honed?). I took these pics just now -- in many parts of the stone, these bright white veins (some of which I pointed out above) are still quite visible. (Click to enlarge.) Pic #2: The white arrow points to a pit I noticed this morning. So, I grabbed a safety pin and lightly scratched at the bright white spot in Pic #1: it very easily powdered up and resulted in another little hole. I'm so apathetic about my tops, I don't care any more about creating another hole -- at least it's in a relatively unused part of the counter run (but not less visible, as the area sits right beneath a window). So, perhaps stone that arrives polished should not be honed/leathered by the fabricator on this end. Dunno. But that would be something my fabricator should have realized and perhaps warned against -- i.e., that veins might be opened up, exposing, what, resin? I'm assuming that's what the white powder is. If Karin is reading this, perhaps she can advise: a quartzite vein shouldn't be powdering like this, correct? Or is it possible this powder does naturally occur? I just wouldn't have thought ANYTHING in a slab of quartzite would be affected by the head of a safety pin. And for anyone wondering, Tenax Proseal sealant did the job: our tops are very resistant to both water- and oil-based liquids.

We ordered and installed these ones in the shower (I think..I can check it later since there are several that look similar on their site, and I might have forgotten the exact name) http://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/summit-mosaics They are very rough-textured..I'm adamant about non-slipperiness, and it took me a long LONG time to find these. Haven't tried them yet since the place is not completely ready..but it gives a very good impression. They are 2 by 2's mosaics-added bonus. The store gives you 30% discount if you mention you're working with a contractor. If you can remodel a shower so it doesn't have a step-do that. We didn't think of it. I was too shy explaining all of my concerns..or else it would be suggested. Never be too shy. If you have a space for a bench to be installed-do that. If you're ready to go with a shower curtain-go with a shower curtain. Not to mention you can wash them, and some are so pretty too:) Grab bars. And yes, slippers might be very helpful too. I hope to check the name of the mosaics later in the day..and you don't need a lot..our shower is pretty big, and we still have plenty of leftovers left. I think they come in 3 or 4 colors..

I guess my comment is most direct at Green Designs. There is no need to say it in the way she/he posted it. Predicting headlines and assuming a friend would not choose to wrk for me. Why does anyone even need to go there? I posted a question asking about variations in marble pattern. I have no issues with people pointing out it’s a natural material and that is what I get. That is what I was asking about and gives me an answer. Why does someone need to ask why I am not working with a certain person and it must be bc they don’t want to work with me. More than one person has pointed out that I should not worry about the variation bc I have bigger problems. That could also be brought to light in a better way. As I said, I am not doing the work. Why all this negative energy and jumping to make assumptions about my personal life. I spoke with more than one contractor who told me they appreciate us not working with our friend and they choose the same route bc it can lead to problems. I even felt the need to reach out to my friend and let him know we were doing the work and why we were choosing not to get a bid from him. My husband felt he may feel pressure to give us a discount and we wanted to respect that this is how he makes a living and not put that on him. Our friend walked me through the process of getting bids and has been available to answer questions. I am not someone who likes to post things publicly and this series of posts was my first time posting on houzz. I was nervous about putting myself out there to ask questions and expected some harsh works about being too not pick about the tile. I do think it’s unacceptable to make judgement about people’s personal lives and make character judgements.

That looks really nice. I like the gray floors and walls, and matches really nice with the Lago. In a way it looks similar to what we're doing, gray floors, gray shower floor and white step. Our shower walls are white though. Since the Covid started they just placed the tile and had to stop work. They are allowed to finish starting this week since we already had 2 inspections approved, I don't have pictures yet of my lago top and bench but hopefully by end of next week. I'll post them here as well, since I had a hard time finding examples of people actually installing this. Maybe it will benefit someone else too. Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for you, it's always nerve wrecking, you never know until it's placed. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it.