I am looking to replace my 18-year-old counter top, which we got for free: white tile. My husband is in the business, granite, Silestone, Corian,Zodiac, etc. etc. he gets at a great price. So, of course, I want wood. Not going to happen. Also, I know that wood would have to be babied and I know I'll get lazy, or out-of-my-mind busy with Christmas dinner and place something scorching hot down on the counter and that's the end of that. I know myself. The white tile has served me well, you can put anything on it and it's fine. You just have to keep on cleaning the grout - it was a lot of upkeep and I'm glad to be replacing it. However, I swore I would never get granite, because I tend to not like to do what everyone else is doing. Well, wood is out, (darn!). I have natural cherry cabinets, still gorgeous, not replacing them. I saw a display kitchen with natural cherry cabinets and colonial gold granite and fell in love. I love the natural movement of the stone, I love the sparkle embedded in the stone, I love the relatively low-maintenance of the stone, and I love that it's a natural material. Ask yourself: what am I like in the kitchen - will I be careful? Do I want to fuss with keeping something continually clean? (i.e. white tile with grout - yikes!) We all have to make compromises to accommodate our manners in the kitchen. You want to get something that you'll love for years to come. You certainly don't want to have to babysit your counter tops! Take your time - do your research, make a decision that's a balance between beauty and brains! Good luck! Enjoy the journey!

Jdesign our project was about 20 miles north of NYC. My original impression was to much white, but when finished I will say the white Corian counter and island cabinets were unlike any kitchen I have ever seen. Normally we install the kitchens, but this was done by a Boffi installer. It took about 9 days including setting of appliances with help for 4 days. I will say that the installer was in no hurry and treated every cabinet install with the up-most care. Counter tops came with sink installs from Italy. Even the Gaggenau cooktop came installed in a stainless counter. I will say I was disappointed with their sinks which are stainless. As for as Corian being used for the counter it was the ultimate for this kitchen. The client had it seamed here rather than the Boffi install of butting it with visible seam. Like I posted earlier a 16' island with no seams is amazing! The client has large parties and it becomes a buffet table with tons of food on it. At the end of the day cleanup is a snap and the kitchen counters look as good as new. If stained or scatched a little buffing with pad and all is good. This is one kitchen that stone would not work in. Modern design in my opinion works better with solid surface. I think granite and marble work well in some kitchens, but not to the extent that I see on GW. It seems to be a must have upgrade or standard in new home construction. My take is install what makes you happy not what will impress others.

Am planning a bathroom makeover that will include replacing a small vanity top made of cultured marble. Does Corian offer integrated sinks in a different color than the vanity top? I know Swanstone does, but their color choices are very limited. For the counter I like Corian's Gray Onyx and Silver Birch and would love to do a white sink.

So we have a Madeli X-stone bathroom sink and in that rectangular small hole in the back is some mold. I tried cleaning with 409 cleaner recommended by our cabinet guy that got it for us but it didn't get it all off. What can i use so as not to damage the surface and get the what looks like stain out? Here's what the manufacturer says on their web sight about the product. Unlike other composite materials which are fabricated with a thin colored polyester cap layered over a polyester/limestone substrate with hollow and void areas, X-Stone™ is a non-porous and monolithic material. It's solid all the way through and its finish is infinitely renewable if damaged. X-Stone's Glossy White finish is resistant to stain, mold and mildew. It's easy to clean and maintain. Due to its 65% organic ATH (Aluminum Tri-hydrate) composition, X-Stone™ is fire retardant and 30% lighter than other "less than solid" tops. Its surface is also harder and offers superior scratch resistance. Madeli X-Stone™ Collection stands by its 10-year Limited Residential Warranty. 2 pics enclosed thank you