Not sure how to post a quote from above--- Q I understand from your post you like maybe even love the Mari Blue. I would get it if you love it. A--- It is the one I've had on mine mind since I saw it and my DH finally liking something helps. Q I wish I had some images of this type of stone. Mari is from Brazil also known as Mira Blue (I think could be confused) I have heard it is an easy stone to work with. Soft. A--- Is that a good thing? Q It it were me, I would pay the extra and get that stone. I think it is beautiful. A---I would love to! But *sigh* it may not happen... Q Are you putting this on an island? A---A small island- 20 sq ft. And need perimeter stone of this or something also. Another 20. Q What are other colors in your space? A---No other colors introduced yet. Kitchenaid 'Canvas' cabinets and redoak wood floors, SS appliances, SS and white light fixtures. Very neutral. Q Did I understand you saw this in person? A---yes by the front door where they put the exotics! I didn't examine it closely though and the photos of other stones online don't seem to look the same in colors or swirls. Q Have you talked to your installer to find out the cost of ship and install? A---yes, we live in an area where nothing seems available (like mountaineergirl). No answer yet. Q For me this is a gorgeous stone especially with White cabs dark oak floors, simple bs, Stainless appliances could bring out the little flecs and white swirl patterns nicely. A---agree completely. Q Do you want the stone counter to be the wallflower or focus of the kitchen? A---I was looking at a plainer black granite so that a BS could be the focus but this has changed all that thinking. Q What is your Backsplash like? A---I was looking at an Acanthus trimmed very light travertine but nothing firm. Q Are your other elements soft, quirky, loud, patterns, ... A---soft, conservative, or quiet maybe?, is the way I would describe it. So this would really bring it alive. Or perhaps overwhelm it? DH thinks it would be good, but his ideas and mine are way opposite normally. Q What kind of theme are you going for? A country, urban, modern, minimalist, frilly, romantic, old world? A---traditional with a touch of tuscan shaped BS trim but without the tuscan colors. Pale to offset the dark counter. Q If it turns out this stone is too expensive and too risky to buy sight unseen, there are 100s of kitchens with Blue Pearl, Emerald Pearl or Antique brown. I am happy to post some images if you want those others. A---Thanks, I've been looking! It contains specks of my favorite shade of blue (and DH's) and although I wasn't going to make the kitchen blue, trying to stay neutral, I sure could go blue if this happens. I first thought it would need to go all over the kitchen because it is so dramatic what could coordinate with it? But now I'm trying to think what could accompany it on the perimeter. Although it would be a shame not to see it while working at the stove. :) I think I will regret not getting this. After researching what exotic means though, I'm searching for plan B.... I feel like I went looking for a Chevy and found an Aston-Martin! I just saw the FK by Joan2121 thread. Her cabinet color is the same as mine and so is the floor. I have Much less light. I couldn't picture my kitchen with light counters but those pics of Giallo Ornamental are so pretty. My DH loves the darks with light swirls. Is there anything out there that might come in second that would be similar but not pricey? I've been looking and saw a few on google images, Tempest Black, Black Strype, Black Cosmic. Anyone know what they look like up close? Some kind of granite that looks like soapstone but is more durable. That won't look like zebra stripes. I could post of photo of the cabinets if that would help? PS- I had a hard time finding this thread again! So many posts happen here daily.

wow lots of peeps looking at antique brown....i mentioned in a different thread i just signed the contract on mine today. When I first saw the stone I didn't pay much attention to it because it looked overwhelmingly black. However, I was lucky enough to see it fabricated out and installed in a kitchen at a slab yard here. That was when I fell in love and just knew. I am doing my cabs an eggshell with coffee glaze on the perimeter and yellow ochre island with glaze on the island. :)

We've chosen "Tan Brown" granite, but we don't have it yet. So sorry, no photos! I've also seen it called "Chestnut" granite. I love the way it looks with our maple cabinets. Very warm. I have the backsplash, floors, and wall colors all picked out and I'm excited to get started! At our granite warehouse, we walked around with their cabinet doors and my paint swatches and were able to get a better feel for what looks we liked. As much as we LOVED the granite with movement and lots of color, we felt "Tan Brown" was much more suited to our small kitchen. Check out Finished Kitchens. I LOVE cubby14Âs kitchen. (The granite is "Russian Sable", but it looks close.) ItÂs similar to the look I had in mind (very warm). My kitchen isnÂt nearly as big or beautiful, but it confirmed that I was going in the right direction. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/gal1113134911923.html Also check out terriks "Tan Brown" granite. If you think "Tan Brown" is too boring, look at what they did with their stunning backsplash! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1110560923580.html Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog

I came so close to using antique brown for my kitchen (also with cream cabs). By the time I brought a sample home, my undercabinet lighting was installed and it looked more brown than black to me. Since I wanted almost black, I ended up using a very dark uba tuba. The antique brown was beautiful, though! Just didn't work for me. I also found it under the name of Marron Cohiba and Labrador Brown Antique. I think there are a couple of kitchens in the FKB with those granites--just look under the category "countertops". Good luck!!