I often see posts about Carrera and Calacutta marbles --- has anybody done Crema Marfil? Is it really a "true" marble? I had a granite in mind for my master bath and there isn't enough of it. On my revisit to the stone yard I was once again attracted to the soothing qualities of crema marfil --- only a tiny bit of veining, very consistent, with once in a while fossils. It looks very pretty. My other granite choices just didn't seem to work as well with the fabrics and cabinets that I have in mind. The crema marfil would make a very monochromatic look, but it would allow my pretty windows to shine and would hopefully all just look pretty together. But, I came home, jumped on GW and saw so little about it that it worries me! Don't mean to hijack, I'm just hoping somebody has experience with this stone! Here is a picture of the combo --- the creamy color will be my cabinets, the dark brown paint and then the fabrics are window seat and window treatment. The little glass crackle tile would be periodic in the floor. I could do crema marfil floor tile as well, but again, not much info! BTW, kateskouros, if I had an island like your gorgeous island, I'd be propped up on it making margaritas!

Love love love this topic. Your kitchens are amazing. Looking for pics of stainless; particularly of stainless with white cabinets and beadboard backsplash... Have you ever seen this combo? Any ideas would be awesome. Again truly amazing kitchens!!

Very interesting responses! Mags438 I was totally laughing about your dog, that is a new one to me, a bread loving dog haha. Cindy Noll, does the SS drawer help your breads stay fresher? These comments have given me some good ideas. I find we will have tortillas, hoagie rolls, sandwich bread, take and bake breads, etc. and it looks so cluttered on the counter. Texas Gem my daughter has stopped eating sandwiches which creates the problem of what to give her for lunch. Hummus and pita, cheese and crackers, lunchmeat rolls, leftovers (if at home) or school hot lunch! I probably could give her mac and cheese, chili or spaghetti in a thermos, but most of my stuff is packed up still from out move (awaiting renovation). Sometimes she'll still take a peanut butter and honey sandwich. :)

I recently researched concrete countertops for my brother, who decided to do exposed stone aggregate. I think there were a couple that used glass inclusions. Here are the links I emailed him (complete with a couple of my notes): http://www.concretenetwork.com/anne_balogh/installing_concrete_countertops.htm http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/countertops/ http://www.concreteexchange.com/how-to-center/concrete-countertops/precast/ This guy didn't use rebar--he used woven wire fencing: http://www.instructables.com/id/Concrete-Countertops-for-the-Kitchen---Solid-Surfa/?ALLSTEPS This guy recommends rebar front and back for a sink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7GuE2O2DAo This is a good one--he uses 3/8 rebar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de7DoRhDYtQ http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-make-diy-concrete-countertops/#.VQ-nkY7CaSo And this YouTube video has info on foam forms for concrete countertops. The man has several videos with lots of info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_bki0Y0R0U