We installed Pietra Cardosa in our kitchen, and have a similar style to the OP's (classic white cabinets, dark walnut floors). We cook fairly heavily (including canning, pickling, lots of acid and tomato use, etc.) and entertain quite a bit. We also use the island as our central entertaining space, and eat on it quite a bit. We sealed ours right when we got it, and did it again after about a year using Ager w/ Color Enhancer. It very slightly darkened ours, and made the gray more medium (our's was a tad "cool") and brought out some of that subtle grain / veins a little bit more. Couldn't be happier with the stone, particularly w/ the sealer on it. Looks great, is very tough (I'm hard on my toys!), and is quite forgiving. We use a ton of lemons, and a long dish of them as our center piece on the island, and have no etching. We're not that careful, and have had some messes last overnight without penalty. I'm not saying you won't, but I'd say we're moderately careful, but not crazy by any stretch. We just use dish soap and a sponge to clean. I scared the crap out of myself reading the negative reviews online, and the advice from "experts," but there was really no other stone that would give us the look and feel we wanted, so we took the dive. Very, very happy we did. We get a ton of compliments.

That would be me! Here is the link to the post. I've downloaded quite a few pics online too. I will try to post. Here is a link that might be useful: Jet mist link

Hi Kitchenconfusion, Thanks for asking your question. Yes, my counters are more grey than black. I have lots of lighting from two story size windows pouring sunshine into the kitchen. The light coming in adds to the grey color. If you want black I would not go with Jet Mist. My Jet Mist is a charcoal grey. If you get close you can see the black flexs but the overall effect is still a dark grey. I love it but if you want black you might not. Before you make a fast choice you might want to read a few links here about honed Absolute Black. You said you want a true black. I had thought about Honed Absolute Black for my own kitchen until I read up on it. I ended up chosing JM because of some of these issues. I read on GW that ........."Honed finished granite is problematic if not professional sealed. Granite is hard but the orthoclase minerals and the microscopic gaps between then can be somewhat porous. That issue is successfully avoided after it is professionally sealed. However, honed granites love to show smudges from wipe cleaning and thumb prints. Dark colors are worse than light ones....That being said, I do know the Virginia Black Granite very well. It is the same stone as Jet Mist. This was very popular granite for government building in the early 1900Âs. It might be the perfect color for those looking for a honed black that does not create the Âflat black maintenance issues..... " And another place I read form a home granite check list site. "9. Honed Granite: If you are considering 'honed granite' be sure to discuss the higher maintenance issues with the fabricator. Honed granite should be professionally sealed. We strongly oppose the use of Black Absolute Honed Granite for kitchens. While we understand the contemporary design intent, you will have high maintenance issues to consider such as finger prints, continual dusting, and cooking oil marks that you can not remove. Even routine cleaning can discolor honed black granite." I also included a link below from this same topic on GW. Perhaps this can help you narrow down your options. Philly Cream!!!! You will laugh when I tell you the rest of my house is painted a color called a Baked scone by Behr. Very similar to Philadelphia Cream. I agree with you Philadelphia Cream is beautiful. Buddyrose has convinced me that the Ralph Lauren Camel Coat is going to look just fine. Right now, I am going to try to get the rest of the kitchen finished and if the color still bothers me, I will repaint. But, I love Camel coat. Pictures do not do the room justice. Seeing in person how well it looks with the area rug, living room, curtains and furniture. Right now it makes me smile. My next huge task is to choose a new floor stain. Where do I begin? Any ideas? Best of luck on your granite journey. ~boxerpups Here is a link that might be useful: Question for Deee and anyone with honed black granite

I'm sorry to say that my experience with Garden State Soapstone was not so good. At the time of installation I was, confess, perfectly happy. The rest of my kitchen was still such a mess that anything that went in on time and without an obvious problem made me ecstatic. Over the next year or so however, I realized that the counters just never felt really smooth. They were more difficult to clean than I expected, and just didn't have that silky, powdery feeling I had loved when I selected soapstone. And the outside radius of the curved eating counter was ridged rather than smooth. Cut to this past winter when Florida Joshua made one of his periodic trips north. Knowing I was vaguely unhappy, but uncertain if it was just that soapstone wasn't the right choice for me, I arranged for him to come look at the counters. I'm sorry to say that he pointed out to me even more things I had missed: A badly pieced counter. A poorly done seam. A break that had been visibly and obviously epoxied. Edges that weren't properly rounded off. And indeed, the surface was no where near as smooth as it should have been. $500 later, the surface is now what it should have been, and I do love it. Joshua couldn't fix the seams, however and could only improve, but not eliminate the ridged curved edge. I went to GArden State because I had heard good things about it, including MarthaVilla's good experience. I liked Jay and thought him knowledgeable. So, I am assuming that perhaps my experience was the exception and there was something that interfered with his apparently usual exemplary performance. I would not rule out GS Soapstone, but I would...whether using it or anyone else...be more sure that I knew exactly what it OUGHT to look and feel like before installation, so that on that day, you can inspect carefully and deal with any issues. And, I would not consider using anyone who did NOT specialize in SS. If GS, with its good reputation, can screw up, I'd hate to think what someone else might do. FWIW....