I really do like how bright it made that area look. I like it with the floor (which we both just love). I'm concerned that wood will look too "woody" traditional with the floor and table. Also, I thought it might be a good backdrop for the granite and backsplash which I have all along been coveting as my potential stars. Again... I can tell DH is not convinced. Not objecting, but I feel like it's a big concession for him. He actually values the opinions I get from this forum.

Don't pooh-pooh the suggestion until you think about it hard. But Basalt Slate laminate in the honed finish has ALL of the more desirable traits you are looking for in a countertop---at about 1/4 of the price of soapstone (installed price to installed price, even cheaper if you can DIY). Yes, it's laminate. But, for a "right now" countertop, it'll give you everything you want inexpensively until you can find someone locally in a few years with some soapstone experience under their belt---that is if you actually do want to change out your countertops in a few years. Laminate gets a reputation for being "cheap", but it's still by far one of the most functional surfaces for a kitchen counter. ANd it looks GREAT!

lascatx I missed your post before, what a great name for a beagle! I wanted to name my boy Barkley originally (which would have been a fitting name given how much he howls) but both my ex and my dad said "After Charles Barkley?!?! so that ended that idea! "Tile setting is an intellectually hard job, and it can't be done by idiots." I completely agree with this. Again, that's what I thought I was paying for. Intellect. I saw a great t-shirt the other day that should be the uniform for all remodelers. It said "I can explain it to you but I cannot make you understand." kashmi that's so great yours came from rescues. In the future, I would like a rescue beagle. If you are in my part of the country (PA, NY, NJ) I'd love to know what rescue you used because your pups are soooo adorable! Mine hate the harness too, I tried to put Bailey in one once and all he wanted to do was remove it. That and the Gentle Leader which he REALLY hated! dianalo, my tile mess was nothing compared to what your GC did and stories like yours make me feel bad complaining about our otherwise problem-free build. I am very much crossing my fingers for you that you get the resolution you deserve in small claims court and get everything done to your satisfaction in your house. We seem to have a good solution now. The white marble bath is being redone. There are drawings being done for our approval before any other tile are laid down in the bath with the rug and in all other areas where there is patterned tile in the house. The shower has not yet been waterproofed (water-appropriate drywall was already used) and will be done properly under my GC's supervision. We are well on our way to a happy ending and a positive resolution.

I use American Express for all major purchases because they are so good at resolving disputes in favor of the consumer. If you really want to try to get out of the contract, then you should write a nice but firm letter to the company today. Do it today, because some states allow you to rescind a home improvement related contract within a certain time period (it could be 72 hours or less, if your state has such a law). Send it via both fax and certified mail so you have proof of how soon after you ordered the product you canceled it. (The fax guarantees they receive it today, but the formality of certified mail sometimes carries more weight.) I would use language like the following: "Dear _______: As you know from our conversation in your store this morning, I am very concerned that the Kashmir White granite I ordered from your company will be too susceptible to staining to use as kitchen counters. I appreciate that you gave me a sample of sealed Kashmir White to take home to test. I took the sample home and promptly tested it with food samples. Unfortunately, certain food products stained the sample easily; therefore, the product is not suitable for my stated intended use as kitchen counters. As I told you this morning, I would like to cancel the contract for Kashmir White counters and request that you reverse the charge for my $________ deposit. Because I am canceling within 48 hours [change time period if necessary] and before any templating or other work has been performed, I believe you should return my entire deposit." If you have to dispute the charge with Mastercard, the letter and proof of when it was mailed and faxed may help your case. The letter establishes that you promptly notified the merchant that the product would not be suitable for your intended use before the merchant did any work, and you had the slab on reserve for a very short period of time, so the merchant is not harmed by your cancellation. There is no guarantee this will work, but it is what I would do. Good luck.