That's two votes for the brown laminate. :) And that helps me confirm that Basalt Slate is a no. About the dark island base, I've looked at hundreds of pictures online, on Houzz, and in magazines. I like the all white kitchens and think they are pretty, but when I walk through showrooms that have all white kitchens I realize that I, personally, need the dark cabinets to help the room feel grounded. I also need to have the kitchen relate to the great room. The best way I can think to do that is by staining the fireplace mantel and the island cabinets the same color. The island countertop is more expensive than the Ubatuba so I can't afford to use it throughout the kitchen. I've thought about putting the UT on the island but DH does not like that look. So, I'm right back where I started....light on dark and dark on light. I am struggling with the final decision of using laminate instead of granite. I think the color will work okay, I'm just not sure about the finish and the overall look. I can't find any images online of finished countertops in this specific laminate color. If I don't do a backsplash that will save me some money (not the difference between laminate and granite, but every bit helps).

I have a Wilsonart kitchen sink that is integrated with the laminate counter top. I have had it for about 4 years now, and have not experienced a problem. I like not having a lip around the edge of the sink that catches crumbs, etc., and makes it difficult to clean. Before, I was always having to take a knife & scrape under the edge to get all the gunk out. Now, I just wisk everything into the sink, including water. It is not possible for this sink to leak around the edge, because it has a lip that is set into a routed edge on the hole in the counter top, and then the laminate is applied in normal fashion over that. If water cannot get under the edge of the laminate, then it also cannot get under the sink edge, either. Of course, down the road, if the adhesive fails, this would change, but I have not heard of that in many years. I know it used to do so back in the day. I like the sink so well that I had one installed in the new counter top in my bathroom, and especially love that the edge of that one doesn't trap hair, soap, etc. I have noted that the material sometimes stains (like from cleaning paint brushes, tomato sauce, etc.), but a spray of Softscrub with bleach quickly removes the discoloration & the sink looks new again. I would advise NEVER to use anything caustic or that could scratch the surface. This, I imagine, would open it up to discoloration beneath the surface that could be permanent. That means no metal scrubbing pads or scouring powder. Normally, I just clean the sink (and all my kitchen & bath surfaces) with a mixture of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and soda water (equal proportions), with a little lemon juice mixed in for a fresh smell. This works as-good-as or better than any store-bought product I have tried. It also works great on upholstery and carpet, and is totally natural and harmless to people and my cats.

I opted for a Karran sink but I saw a counterseal sink/counter on display - it looked pretty good but how it holds up longer term I don't know. I've had the Karran sink for a little over a year at my weekend lake place. No problems so far. Things to consider in my opinion. I'm careful about the edge where the laminate meets the sink - it seems like this might chip easily. The Karran sink does stain easily though it does clean up easily too with softscrub. It's the kind of sink you need to clean frequently though. Here's a picture of mine.

Hi All! I have learned sooooo much on this site. Thank you Mr. Corlett. I have had Corian countertops since 1998 with a granite composite under mount sink. Love the Corian, not the sink so much because it seems yellowed since installed. But I do a lot of canning so the sink has put up with a lot of beet juice and boiling hot water with minimal distress, no cracks. Just clean with Soft Scrub and bleach sometimes. We are now building a house. I am again using Corian for the countertops. I am considering either a Corian integrated sink 850 or an LG-HiMacs integrated sink 3118. I do not like the sink drain in the center of the sink as in the 3118 but that sink is an inch and a half longer than the Corian so better for skillet handles to fit in sink. Do you have an opinion as to the staining or cracking or other issue of either product I might consider before making my final decision? Thank you. Cynthia