Wow! Decisions, decisions... I would use the brick as a guide when deciding on a granite. I am a fan of dark countertops, so I would go with a black. Not very exciting, but I think it would compliment the cabinets. How much light to you get in the kitchen? I am sure others will have some amazing suggestions.

I wish I could change the name of this thread I started three weeks ago! I would call it "New countertop Loving it!" Its been ten days since I posted the first photos and revealed the identity of my stone. I got to enjoy it for only a few minutes on a gray day before the contractor enveloped it in butcher paper so work could continue around it. On Wednesday evening I prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving by unveiling the stone. Since then I have enjoyed many happy hours with it. NYC has been blessed with a sunny holiday, and the stone is even more beautiful in a kitchen drenched with sunlight. It also photographs better, though the green still looks washed out. Ive posted new photos, including some close-ups. Cloud_swift predicted I would be even happier with my stone after living with it a while. In fact, it grows on me by the hour. To walk into the kitchen now is literally thrilling. I never know what to expect, as it changes with the light, always surprising me with how blue it is, but sometimes more green, sometimes reminiscent of stainless steel, and as the light fades, quieting to a rich dark gray. Aunttomichael -- "soapstone lover" -- got it exactly right: the effect is both serene and intense (which I think is true of soapstone as well.) Before this experience I knew literally nothing about stone. Now I learn from Theresab1 that Im a member of the (very exclusive!) "Azul Macaubas Club" though I agree with Cloud_swift (she of the glorious azul do mar) who calls it the "Quartzite from Brazil Club." While my stone is indeed quartzite from Brazil, I, like Mindstorm, find it hard to believe it shares the same name as Theresab1s amazing stone, which Mindstorm describes as "almost onyx-like in its translucent whiteness with streaks of blue" As she notes, mine is nothing like that! Not at all white or even light-colored. Its predominantly blue with a lot of pale green. In a single slab, the blue ranges from a deep, rich blue to greenish-blue to pale blue to deep lavender a shade Cloud_swift noted in azul macaubas slabs she saw. The only photos Ive seen of anything similar were a variant called Azul Imperial. Theres a lot of interesting information at www.bluemacaubas.com. The most important thing Ive learned, though, is that you dont choose a stone by its name unless you are willing to settle for an arranged marriage!

Blanco has an interactive tool-you can try and play there a bit with different types of countertops, and sinks' colors. http://www.blanco-germany.com/en_us/en_us/sinks/how_to_choose_the_right_sink/interactive_countertop_tool/Tool.html I like the idea of brighter contrast; or any contrast for that matter; but with a white sink, I'd be a bit anxious about upkeep, possible staining, etc. I know they say it's really easy to clean, and the sink itself doesn't stain easily. But since I haven't lived with it myself..yet..:) I thought a biscuit might work but I looked up all your materials-it's probably too warm for your color scheme? What do you think? In short..if you can get positive reviews about the maintenance of the white one-I am probably inclined to vote white.

I have had stainless. I now have granite composite for my prep sink and porcelain on cast iron for my clean up sink, both of them in white. The stainless itself was fine but with my hard water I was constantly battling water spots, which got old in a hurry. So for me the granite and porcelain are easier to maintain - or at least, if there are water spots they can’t be seen. Either way - stainless or other material - I think your single bowl, undermount choice is definitely the way to go! I don’t think I will ever go back to a top mount (drop in) double bowl sink!