Also - forgot to mention, take a look at the videos on BC Stone's site - quite informational. I know many folks here swear that you should be there when they template, you should be there when they lay it out on the slab and decide upon seams, etc. I must confess I didn't do any of that and an extremely pleased with the results. I asked our contractor about it and he had me talk to BC Stone directly. They said I was more than welcome to but explained their process. Templating is done with electronic / laser measurements - not luan like most use. Seams and layout - they would do cut outs if I wanted to drive the 2 hours to see it but they assured me if I told them if there were any parts of the slabs I wanted to feature / stay away from they would work around it and do a seam that wouldn't be noticeable. Well given that I chose them based on their reputation, I went with their judgement and decided to let the professionals do their thing. I am very glad I did. the one seam we have is hardly noticeable. When I first looked at the install, I walked past it twice before I said, oh, there is the seam. If I had laid it out, I would have done a worse job of locating the seam. And their templating was spot on. Everything fit like a glove. No gaps, flush to the wall (which weren't necessarily straight), tight fit. They had to do no on-site modifications / drilling / etc - everything was cut perfectly back at their facility So if you hire a professional and feel comofrtable with them, let them do their thing. No need to micromanage their work

Thank you so much for all the kind words, your interest and your support! I have been on this board for 3 years...just not recently. I took a break from these boards a little while ago, just because I was kind of getting depressed at all the gorgeous kitchens! I admit, I even felt a little jealousy! Then just recently I stopped coming because we had already made our decisions and I did not want to get confused or torture my DH with some possible tweaks and changes. I am so happy to see some familiar names here on this thread. I know this sounds cheesy, but all the kind comments almost made me get teary eyed. Like I said before, this really is the only material thing I have wanted for a long time. But I know that Gardenwebbers on the kitchen forum know that a kitchen is not a material thing ONLY...for folks like us it is (cliche time, sorry) "the heart of the home." I have been cooking incredible meals and/or entertaining non stop. It is such a joy and pleasure to me. outsideplaying-thanks for your comments and for your excitement for me! Maine_Mare-That is good to hear! He actually did not even do these as well as he could have, because he truly thought they would be in for a few months. Where he adhered the counters to the undermount sink, you can see some clear caulking. Also, the end of the peninsula has a gap where he came up a little short! But next time, he will do an even better job and if we can keep them for 7 years like you...then we will be doing great! But I am fine the way they are, truly. Very minor flaws. frmrsdghtr-I really really do not have an estimate. I think my husband said awhile ago that the cabs were about 5k? I could be wrong, and he just said that figure off the top of his head. Thanks for the compliment! Hi colorfast! Your kitchen is lovely, too! Originally we wanted wood stained cabinets, but the darkness of the kitchen (no natural light) plus wood floors and a desire to have butcher block counters (eventually) made us rethink that! I never dreamed I would have white cabinets, because I lived in a townhouse for 14 years with white formica cabs and I wanted a big change from that. I am happy with our white now, tho! I have considered SS for the hood and I have seen your style before, but for some reason I am stuck on white. I attached a link below of an idea, although I have heard mixed reviews of that futuro futuro company. I *really* liked some of their other styles. They look more like light fixtures than hoods. onedogedie-thank you for being so kind about my long post! It's true, it was such a crazy and long journey, it seemed it warranted a little more than "here is my kitchen!" I have read so many "finished kitchen" posts here, and whether long or short, I like the ones where I can *feel* the pride in the post! I wonder why plywood is not mentioned more often as an alternative, whether temporary or more long term? I just never hear it mentioned and thought my hubby was crazy when he told me that was what he was going to do. I had no idea it would look so nice. As a matter of fact, even he gets a little frustrated when the first thing people notice when they walk into the kitchen is the countertop! LOL. Good idea about the kick plate, I will mention it to my hubby. Thank you CEFreeman! :) Lake_Girl-Ohhh, you should see what he is doing with the chicago brick pavers that are the walkway in front of the barn! They were put in half assed by previous owners, so he has his paving equipment here at the house and is using fill and making it look PRETTY. A total do-over. My friends ask me if he can do stuff at their house (they are willing to pay, of course) but I say NO WAY...he still has too much to do here! I think we compliment each other well because I NEVER nag him. To be honest, there are some other things I think he should be doing rather than the brick pavers...but I also know that feeling when I feel "inspired" to do a project and I wouldn't want someone nagging me to do something else instead. mmhmgood-lol, inside the cabs we left it the natural wood color! So that is what you are seeing, it isn't orange, LOL. I can see how it looks that way, but heck, even *I* am not that daring or funky! lol rhome-I had posted to you awhile ago about the oven. Your comments made me VERY excited. So far I love it. Do you think if I do not use the self clean mode, I will be ok with the blue porcelain? Or do you think I will have issues either way? I will try to find out about the door, but I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be pricey. It doesn't bother me *that* much. Thank you for your comments and help! marti8-he had ear plugs in. He had already purchased that tile chipper years ago. he said it does chip up thinset, but you have to use a different blade. Thanks for the comments! Thank you soooo much, gscience, catlover, About togetdusty and KrisMA! Here is a link that might be useful:

Well, I know it has been a while, but I realized I forgot to post an update! We finished everything in Dec '11, and have really enjoyed it. The house went on the market this weekend, so we got a little over a year in our 'new' kitchen. We got a full price offer today, and our home is priced higher than anything in our neighborhood (the house 2 doors down in 500 sf larger, and priced $5k cheaper). I think it was worth it - total cost was right around $7K. Granite: NVG light Gel Stain: Java (General) - 3 coats Tile: Home Depot Backsplash: Home Depot Here is a link that might be useful: More Kitchen Remodel Pics This post was edited by leightx on Tue, Apr 23, 13 at 12:40

Gojenny, Canlawn, Catamount90 and anyone else that can benefit from this: PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT SELL THESE - so I have no stake in this - other than this is a way cool product for next to nothing, and it works like a charm: It's called a "Dishwasher Mount" - It's sold through Braxton Bragg - contact Rob Etter at 856 - 207 - 1424 to get ordering info. Using this brackett eliminates you having to drill any holes into the underside of the countertop material (what ever that material is - like wood, laminate, solid surface, Stone, Quartz, tile, concrete, "Green" products, etc......... Here is an article I wrote for the Slippery Rock Gazette (an Industry Trade Magazine) December 2008 - page 20 There's a link to the Slppery Rock Gazette - Article at the bottom of my post....... Look at page 20 Here are some pics; Looking up from underneath - the screws hold the dishwasher to the mounting bracket Is this cool or what? I wish that I had invented this cool litte device, but at a sale price between $5.00 & $10.00 USD - I don't think I'd be gettin rich very quickly... but what the heck - It's STILL a COOL IDEA, and I USE THESE NOW ALL THE TIME!!!!! Hope that this helps you and all others looking for an easier way to mount a dishwasher!!! kevin Kevin M. Padden Fabricator, Trainer & Consultant to the Natural Stone Industry www.azschoolofrock.com Here is a link that might be useful: Slippery Rock Gazette - Article is on page 20