I know how you feel, well, almost, cuz Silestone was never an option for us, cuz I just couldn't pay more for a counter that was trying to imitate the real thing. That said, at first, we were considering laminate, (they are getting really good), the new laminate is much better than what we had, but unfortunately once you start looking at stone, hard to go back... I was pretty intimidated by all the horror stories well-meaning, and perhaps some not so well-meaning friends and relatives shared about staining, etching, streaking, dust showing, you name it. Basically was told, well you know your DH, not the most careful man... It's funny now, looking back, cuz yeah, he's not the most careful man... but he loves the look of the natural granite so much, he does wipe up a bit better (hey, nobody's perfect!). And, if I was going to go out of town, and leave him alone with the granite, I'd give specific instructions about wiping up spills as they occur- not as I'm about to return! :>) But so far, and we've only had the counters 4 months, no calamaties (and I even dropped a whole sheet of slate tiles on it this morning-yikes). Microfibre cloths make wiping up and keeping streak free a breeze, and I guess the comparison would be to a nicely stamped concrete walkway- yup it could look pretty good, and probably easier to upkeep than a flagstone path, but really, would you pay MORE for it?

Have thought about it all day, and although I'm attracted to the Silgranit, I'm leaning toward the stainless. However, I'm driving myself crazy wondering if it would look alright to have a stainless sink as the only stainless in the kitchen? And with an ORB faucet? The black appliances and ORB faucet are already purchased ... no going back there ... so it's the sink that's the possible variable. Anybody out there have pictures of that kind of set-up? Or opinions you'd care to express? Help put me out of my misery!!

Anyone have pictures of Cambria Brownhill installed? My cabinets are arriving soon and I'm really stressing about my counter choice. I chose to use Quartz in part because I don't like "busy" and I don't like a lot of "movement". I'm getting dark Cherry cabinets and had chosen Cambria Brownhill as they seem to go really well together. And they do! The Brownhill is very deep and rich in person. But(!), it's also very gold and very busy and somewhat dark. In my mind I was hoping for more contrast and less busy. If anyone has Cambria Brownhill installed I'd love to see some pictures. Thanks!

I don't think you're understanding my point. You could look at a hundred photos and your installed counter could look lighter or darker than any of those, or the pattern could be slightly different. With New Quay, one sample was swirlier than the other and the swirls had the color, giving a darker, busier look. You take your chances when you buy a counter without viewing a slab. Same goes for granite. I'm trying to save you from being disappointed as you seem very particular. My philosophy with picking finishes from samples is "no surprises".