Here are where the pictures are...

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal Ocean vs. Seagrass Strand

I like the seagrass strand. It picks up the texture of the floor. It looks to me like the ocean fights it. But it may look different in person.

I thought i had both of these in my ever expanding collection of samples but I have Metal Earth not Metal Ocean. I did have Seagrass Strand which I quite like. In addition to the colour I love the linear pattern (I think with a stong pattern like that you don't need texture). Did you look at Realcrete (6200) which available in the Riverwash finish? It isn't far off some of the colours in the Seagrass.

Is your kitchen more modern in design? If so, I like the Seagrass Strand.

seagrass strand is my pick

i like the seagrass strand - it carries over the linear that's in the floor.

For a modern kitchen, I agree wiht florantha that Seagrass Strand would be the best pick.

But it doesn't sound as if your kitchen is going to be very modern so I would vote for the Metal Ocean.

I don't like seagrass for the same reason that others like it. Too many lines going every which way. So I'm for ocean and also thought realcrete is possibly better as suggested by caryscott. Somehow, I'm sure you have green accessories too, and it would help them stand out.

My kitchen isn't very modern looking.

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal Ocean vs. Seagrass Strand

I still like the seagrass. The other one is too cloudy. I don't think the seagrass looks too modern at all, and it looks good with the china.

I like Metal Ocean.

I like how the softness of the Ocean offsets the harder straight angles in your floor. I think the linear motion in the seagrass is too similar to the grain of the floor; not enough contrast. I think your color choice is dead on correct! I also like how the Ocean highlights the glaze of your cabinets. If this was my kitchen, I'd pick the Ocean.

Metal ocean for exactly the reason Cienza said. Only Cienza said it so eloquently.

Oh and Denicast, I like your blog. Fun and beautiful!

Thank you everyone! After meditating on everyone's input, I decided to go with...Metal Ocean. It was really close for all the reasons that people have brought up here. Seagrass Strand is very beautiful but just wouldn't work in our kitchen. Metal Ocean is kind of like tie-dye and I am kind of a tie-dye kind of gal, but it would also fit if I went with a more romantic French theme.

Boxerpups, I am glad you enjoyed my blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: life dithyrambic

Dear Denicast, I can see why it was a hard choice -- both Metal Ocean and Seagrass are so pretty. But I think that your decision to go with Metal Ocean is a good one. I look forward to seeing the final pictures.

By the way, I also love your blog. Can I join your French luxury real estate porn support group? I also spend way too much time fantasizing about beautiful Parisian apartments (and now I'll start thinking about writing fantasy obits!).

Francois4, there is plenty of room in the support group and you have no idea how much luxury real estate porn I have yet to blog about. So far, I have one Paris apartment, three country homes, and home in La Rochelle. I almost forgot the schooner. I do hardcore research to create a very rich inner life/fantasy space. Plus, I collect images of green and/or Art Nouveau luxury furniture and objects.

Here is a link that might be useful: life dithyrambic

Like caryscott, we have the Metal Earth in our sample collection - and I'm pretty sure it's what we're going to put on our perimeter counters (the island will be DIY copper). I'm going to have to see if I can find Metal Ocean to see what the difference is between the two -

I think you made a good choice! Can't wait to see final pictures!

I have plenty of Formica and Wilsonart samples of various sizes. If you would like I can mail you what I have including Metal Ocean. I really liked Metal Earth, but it was too brown for my hubby.

dc@webjaw.com

Just let me know where to send them, or if you are anywhere near Marin County, I can drop off.

What I like about Metal Earth and Metal Ocean is it isn't trying to be what it is not...stone or real material. It is what it is -- an abstract pattern. My only regret is that I didn't get the ogee edge I was wanting. Instead, I got the 180 wrap edge. For $457.00 I get countertops for a 63x38 peninsula and 127x26 counter. I mean, wow. Corian would have been $1200 for just the peninsula with standard edge. Caesarstone would have been $1500 to $2000 for the peninsula with basic edges. The savings can go to the contractor so he can fix our kitchen and make it look really nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: life dithyrambic