My granite goes all the way out to the window. Wood frame on either side. If you are going to put plants there, I would use matching granite or stone.

I think you should use the same granites as your couter top. You could just do wood if its protected (painted or varnished) and use trays under your plants.

We were planning a soapstone sill for our sink window until issues arose while templating for the countertop (a last minute change in the backsplash height, trouble integrating the rest of the window trim satisfactorily.) Ours is about 8" deep and will probably hold small plants, so I don't want to lose the water resistance. My next step is to talk to the contractor about the possibility of using a vinyl "board" for the sill instead.

We did a bathroom last year with Azek vinyl trim--wainscoting, baseboards, door casing, and (especially important) a traditionally trimmed window within the shower. We were concerned at first that fake wood would look and feel, well, fake. However, we're very pleased with the results. Not a single person has questioned whether it's real wood under the paint. I'm not even sure I could tell the difference. It has performed in that wet/humid environment beautifully. I don't know if Azek comes in wide enough boards for your sill, but it might be worth looking into.

Also, there was a thread recently with many pictures of stone sills. I've included the link below, to give you some more ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: stone sills

Mine is wood like the rest of the casing. I did it because I like the look. Water gets splashed up there a lot (hubby is kind of a crazy, messy dish washer). After more than a year, it doesn't look too bad. I figure it can be repainted as needed like I do to my other window sills.

I only occasionally keep plants up there, but I do have plants on other wood surfaces in my home and I either use a cork pad underneath (usually coasters) or iron plant stands. Haven't had any issues with water damage when I do that. I would assume it would work as well on the window sill.

cali_wendy,

Are there links to see more photos of your kitchen anywhere? I looked in the finished kitchens blog and you're not there. It looks stunning and I'd love to see more as well as the details and specifics. Thanks so much!

Hi babs711. I don't have any "finished" photos as we're not totally finished yet...even after more than a year of being functional.

Here are a few specs. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll try to answer.

Custom maple cabinets (BM Linen White lacquer finish)
Colonial Gold granite (honed and textured)
Crema Marfil 2x3 backsplash tile
Creations by Alno hardware (Barcelona finish)
SubZero 736TC refrigerator
Miele dishwasher
GE Monogram Advantium and Convection ovens
custom wood windows
cheap undercounter florescent lights from Lowe's
Kohler Vinnata faucet in brushed nickel
Kohler Executive Chef sink

Here are links to a couple of old albums (one from Christmas 2009 and another one from when we were just finishing up):

Duh...sorry about the wrong links. My DD just interrupted me 29 times while I was trying to type that message. Here are the correct links:

http://s835.photobucket.com/albums/zz280/cali_wendy/Christmas%20pics%20of%20house/

http://s835.photobucket.com/albums/zz280/cali_wendy/Before%20and%20After%20Renovation%20Pics/

Here is a link that might be useful: cali_wendy Christmas 2009 kitchen pics

Here are a few ideas of what others have done.
I hope they help.
~boxer

Hoosie Roots

Heritage stone co.

Oh, I like that marble example. Pretty.

We put calacutta marble on our sill to match the island. Here's mine from when the kitchen was first done:

I can take a closer picture to post if you'd like.

Thank you so much for posting such a thorough response! I'll look through it and let you know if I have more questions. Your kitchen is lovely! I love your window! We have the kohler vinnata right now and think we're going to put it in our new house again. It's a great faucet! I appreciate your reply!

Hmmm, lots to consider. Thanks for posting all the pictures.

The dark stones don't look bad, but I'm not sure about the highly polished granite reflection. Of course, my window faces east, so it probably won't be a problem.

My sill sits up about 9". Hmmm. Maybe I'll grab some samples to put up there and live with it a while.

I do like the marble as well, it blends nicely with the backsplash.

Thanks again!

I had to have stone windowsills as DH loves to ripen tomatoes at the prep sink and the occasional wet glass ends up on the handy sill at the main cleanup sink. Mine aren't quite as deep, and not dark stone. They are quartzite and same as counter stone.

Here is the prep sink window

and this is the main sink