I have man made granite and it is wonderful. There is a company called Granite Transformations in many areas that have this product. It is made of crushed granite and it is more durable than the realk slab granite. I hate fromica and as a realtor, the extra will allow you to stand out. Good luck. OH BTW it ius also less expensive than slab granite and they can get it installed in one day!!!!

Folks, This may be one of those situations where images on a website cannot do justice to the physical tone of being in the room. I recognize that looking at the pictures on the website make all of my choices look like a motley collection of clowns. And then there is my sweeby mission statement about "cool" kitchens that I still stand by. To explain this in the context of my kitchen, let me share how it feels to be in the kitchen. Our home is in northern California near San Francisco which is quite a bit different from general image of sunny LA or San Diego. It is said that Mark Twain once said that "the coldest winter I have ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". The marine influence here means that it is common to have 70 to 75 degrees in middle of summer. When the east coast was broiling this summer, we had 68-72 degree days. Then there is my house which is adobe.. This means the super thick bricks have to warm up first before the air inside the house begins to warm up.. It is usually a good 10 degrees cooler inside than outside. We in fact put in heated floors just for this reason. Then there is quality of light.. The banquette on the end of the galley is east facing but quite heavily shaded and the light is filtered and cool. The side of the galley with the doors and windows that opens to the courtyard is south facing but has a very deep eaves (around 7 ft) so the light here is very filtered as well. The only bright light source is the two new skylights. It is hard to show the quality of light with photos taken with my iPad. Then my "clown" choices... If I use light colors in the room, they do not actually lighten the room.. They just seem pale and flat. But stronger, brighter colors almost seem to glow and IMHO do not look garish or loud but rather brighten the space. If look at colors used in regions of the world where brick and clay is used for construction, they also use stronger hues and multiple colors..like encaustic moorish tiles and bright colorful Mexican kitchens.. I feel that if the stage is cleared for one prima donna clown (a la the hood) and the rest sort of disappears in a forgettable background chorus.. the. end resut is very lopsided. Having a few strong elements I think balances and makes the end result better.. The trick here is whether they are harmonious or competing. I am striving for harmony but with stronger colors.. I know color is a very very personal choice and I am not defending my choices but rather I felt I should contribute to this dialogue on color in the context of my darker kitchen with very filtered light. Many of the lovely kitchens here are blessed with lovely counter height windows and bright sunlight.. But a kitchen like mine is different and brighter colors may be an appropriate palette.. Anyways.. Just want to share my thinking ..

Thanks guys, I actually really like the warmer tones as much (or more) as I liked the blues/grays. I think I started down a road and ran with it without thinking about the bigger picture. As far as pulls, I was thinking maybe just cup pulls, although I do like the ones that badgergirl posted too. We are straddling that budget so we'll have to see what is available with no charge. The bars were an upcharge so it was nice to make a choice that was less expensive for a change. I am hoping that the quarter sawn oak isn't too much of an upcharge, I went to look at just factory finish cabinets at Lowes today and do like the look of the grain. It is warm, but quiet enough. Sent my request to the cabinet guy so fingers crossed that all will come in on budget. Another question is do I paint the island a lighter color to decrease the darkness in the middle of the room or just keep consistent throughout. I am leaning toward the latter actually. Badgergal, I stole the lights from you! I loved it so much in your pics. And I saw the price, so it will be a splurge for me as well. They will be likely be a 2013 item, with a cheapo $20/per pendent fill in until my savings account replenishes. But I can live with that knowing what is in the future. As far as lighting, we have been pricing/thinking of this. Due to the dark color of the cabinets, this was a big concern of mine, lighting is everything! We currently have some recessed (6 of them) and an overhead over the sink. We are pricing the pendants over the island and lights in the glass front upper cabinets (total of 6). We cut the under cabinet lights in the interest of budget and in talking to people who said that they rarely use them. Maybe I should reconsider? How hard is that to add in after the fact if we decide that we need them later? We do have a window over the sink and then the bump out of the eat in area is virtually surrounded on three sides pretty much floor to ceiling with windows/doors, so it does get some natural light. Anyway, updated pic and I think it looks pretty good (although I am now thinking that the curve/bow pulls may be a better option seeing it in place - maybe less surface so less shine). Walls will need to be decided on, but that is an easy fix. Cookies will be forthcoming when I have a new oven that doesn't take the temp setting as a mere suggestion!

Maisie, I (third) the recommendation for Veronica 'Georgie Blue' or even another one that I also have ('Waterperry Blue') because these are such marvelous plants. They grow gently over and around everything but still allow their neighbors to emerge and grow. Plus they're so easy to transplant. Mine have finished blooming but still look great, and in the fall their leaves have a red tinge, which is nice. Russian Sage is also another strong performer and is easily rooted if you want to create more plants. Take a stem, lay it down in the dirt, cover it with soil so that it will root, then transplant the new stalk in the fall. Mine also produce underground runners that can be dug up and replanted. Nhbabs is correct... RS will provide a wave of shape and color throughout the growing season, even when it's not in bloom. When I look at that garden, I can "see" an S-curve planting of Pervoskia that cuts through the center of your garden. It starts at the top left by the pink Echinicea, curves left then right down to the Russian Sage that's there, swings right to the blue plant, and then goes left behind the taller Sedum at the bottom to the end of your garden. You don't actually need a complete line of these plants to create a "line" in the viewer's eye, but the others are correct... a line of these will help tie together your garden. I do agree that a repetition of the blue grey from the Russian Sage is needed in the lower tier of this garden ... maybe with a sedum or thyme that spreads, but also include other plants that you love. I've posted an earlier photo of the end of our dry garden because it includes a Veronica 'Waterperry Blue' (in bloom behind the white rock) and several Sedums . The thing about plants ... they can always be moved if you don't like them. Have fun! Molie