Ummmmm, those are both gorgeous! Does the cute child only come with # 1? If so, choose that one!!

I am SO much help, aren't I?

Nancy

They are both lovely but the first one is gorgeous

I'd go with the first one! It's what you're drawn too and is really gorgeous. You can use that really cute red spot on the bottom as a focal point. :)

I love the first one. Is there enough that you could make the backsplash out of the same slab?

First one is gorgeous and more unusual....#1 hands down....what is it called?

Definitely, the first one. It's gorgeous. (and so is the baby)

Haha Yes my daughter already comes with the house so she is definitely staying. I really appreciate the advice. I really am drawn to number one, but just don't want to make the mistake of going with something on a spur.

Joanie it is a quarzite called taj mahal, at least that is what they call it.

Chi- we would not have enough for a full backsplash. I want to take it to the ceiling by the range hood and higher up allong the other wall (we are not doing uppers, just some open shelving) It would be great if we did, but we do not have it in the budget to get another whole slab. I do not even think we would have enough left over for a 3" splash.

First one! I would have picked that one in a heartbeat for our kitchen. All the quartzites I saw were not warm enough for my cabs. That one is perfect! Totally jealous!

I agree with the crowd. I like the first one because of the posibilities for the backsplash. Looks like some light beiges. caramels, greys? And you can use just one slab!

this is a terrible picture of this beautiful backsplash but it is on page 94 of Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideals April 2012 issue. It's from Virginia Tile Co. It would look great with your first choice that looks like Botticino marble to me but not by the name according to your supplier. It's soft and interesting and the color looks like a great match. Something like this would look great but there are millions of options that would look wonderful with it. I think it's beautiful and not commonly seen.

CKGM what were your cabs like?

What is the flooring choice? Both slabs are quite pretty....

I'd pull a color from whichever one you choose and do the bs in a simple tile to coordinate. You can go with any shape, but I would not do much to detract from the counters.

I will have to check out that issue of Better Homes, thanks for that info.
The second one is also a quartzite if that matters. I was really picturing a white kitchen look, but cannot do marble. I am wondering if the first option would be too warm for my white cabinets,though there is some white in it. I have it on hold and will put the other one on hold tomorrow and then I have 1 week to decide.

dinalo we are doing select maple through out the first level as all the room are open to each other. Love dark wood and pine but not the up keep and scratches. The white cabs will also match all the painted wood work and moldings.

The first one would look great with wood floors. The second one would as well, but the more obvious brown in the first slab would tie it all together perfectly.
I'd normally prefer more like #2 but the veins are fairly vertical and I like them a little more horizontal on counters. It is pretty though, so you would not go wrong either way...
The first one seems almost translucent in parts, so I'd like a pale glass tile to go with it for the bs.

#1 for sure. That looks like Madre Perla to me!
Here is our slab:
{{!gwi}}
And here's what it looks like installed:

I agree on the vertical lines as well. They do have more slabs of this so I am going to check them out tommorrow to see if the others are more vertical. I just would be stuck on getting 2 slabs which is not really in the budget. I doubt they would sell me a slab and half.

The way are kitchen runs if we went with number 1 we would only have one real seam behind the farm sink and still only need the 1 slab.

Glass tile would be nice, does anyone have any favorite places to check it out online?

Love your kitchen Pip, can you post more photos. The granite is very similar and looks like it came out great. I love the bs too, care to share any details.

sure, here are some more photos. My cabs are white and espresso. The backsplash is staggered white onyx. Purchased from a local manufacturer and apparently not available anymore, but Ann Sacks has a similar tile.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Ann Sacks tile

laurainlincoln also has Madre Perla quartzite counters and white cabs -- here is her kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Laurainlincoln's kitchen

The first one! It's beautiful!

Wow I love both of those kitchens, very pretty, and I love the backsplash pip. I am not sure we could do Ann Sacks but I do love the color tones and look of it.

I like the first slab very much, looks like a good combination with your flooring and cabinet choice. I'd wait with choosing a backsplash until after the countertops are installed. Lighting situation, slab on a horizontal plane instead of vertical now, etc. are all best judged in situ. Which doesn't mean you cannot start looking for possible backsplashes now .... ;-)
One site I like is Susan Jablon Mosaics.
Good luck, Petra

Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Jablon Mosaics

I love the first one so very much!
The second is pretty too - but the first one is gorgeous.

definitetly the first one, beautiful..
feel it would tie in better with the wood floors
and it has a warmer and softer feel to it

good luck!!

I love the first one. What is so pretty is that huge white vein that runs across the slab. That would be so pretty to feature in your longest run. If you have an island showcase on that for sure. Lucky find!

first one is pretty, but the second would allow bringing in dark elements -[hardware/floor]and give that punch.They are both really great in their own way.Does she want to cook and bake on that one? So precious.

Hands down, the first one would be my choice. I think they're both very nice though, and either would work in the space you've described.

Pip, still lovin' your kitchen and that backsplash!

Just want to thank Pip for showing those pix again. The word that comes to mind when I see them is "happy".

thanks for all the opinions and ideas. I really appreciate. I think the first one would be great and add some warmth to a white palette. The only thing that is not perfect to me on that slab is the little bit of orange almost rusty looking spots. When fabricating we can get rid of the upper right corner but nothing else. This is the only slab left in that color, I am going to put a deposit on it and then see what comes in April. If the next pieces are cleaner and just as big maybe I will switch it.

Sorry! Just saw your question about my cabs- they are a cinnamon stain color on Cherry wood.

LOVE LOVE LOVE The first one! It has some warmth to it and looks like it will have lovely depth with the translucent quality that it has. I think you can do just about any BS with this, it's so neutral that you'll have unlimited choices. I wouldn't worry about a bit of rust colored spots, it gives it a bit more character. Enjoy!

I will post pics when it is all done in about 4-6 weeks. This is our kitchen now:

I really love the marble backsplashes. Would something like this work? Or do I need to stay with a more consistent color?

{{!gwi}}

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashley on Pinterest

The first one.

Would you consider using the same granite as your back splash? I realize it's not everyone's taste and could cost more than other choices, but it allows for a more seamless flow from counter to wall. You could have a granite window sill that joins seamlessly over to the granite back splash under the cabinets. Just a suggestion.

Roxy I would love to do that, it would look amazing I think. I just don't think we have it in the budget, these slabs are so expensive and we want to do tile up to the wall behing the range. We do not have much leftover.

We decided on the same granite but a different slab (same lot)

We really need to stay under $10/ft for backsplash (we gutted the hole house). I was thinking this tile above. I have seen tile I liked much better but were double the price.

It's hard to say from the photo of the tile. My concern is that the slabs of Madre Perla I've seen generally have warm tones - warm gray, taupes, golds -- and your proposed backsplash looks a bit cooler. It might work together but I'd bring a sample of your backsplash to the slab yard so you can compare the two together and see if they work. And post a pic if you can!

Is that from OHM in Cranbury?

We used that exact stone - probably the kitchen style is completely different so don't let it throw you off, but here's ours installed. Everyone raves about it - it's unusual, but not overwhelming. Love it!!