Update on last week's granite disaster posting

13 years ago

Thanks again to all who responded to my posting last week when my granite was mis-cut. It was interesting that I got the full range of advice from demand a new stone to, (gently) get over it. I chose to keep the stone and seek compensation because athough it would have been special to have it done properly it is still quite lovely and I hated the idea of wasting it. Today I learned that the kitchen designer was unable to convince the granite guy (the slab and fabricating is from same place) to give me any refund. His position is that I am wrong, that he did what I wanted. Gee, I guess I forgot what I wanted?????

Anyway, the KD says she learned a lesson and is sending me a check for what amounts to about 10% of what I paid for the granite. I feel badly that it is coming from her and not him, but it is appropriate and shows alot of class on her part. I told her I learned a lesson too, which is that when a man says he knows what I want, don't believe him! Somehow I should know this at my age (sorry guys!)

The link below gets you to some before and after photos of my tiny galley kitchen redo for those who are interested. I think for a 7 x 10 space it is a major transformation.

As you can see it's not totally finished. Like I need to pick a paint color already!

Thanks again for all the support!

Here is a link that might be useful: Before and after photos

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Comments (18)

sparklekitty
13 years ago
Lisakitch - I missed the posting about the granite mistake, but I am glad you have come to a resolution. We had a bad seam on our granite and the fabricator tried to rework it. It looks better and probably not up to some people's standard, but I am fine with it so I understand your plight. I hated the idea of wasting the stone as well (and I love the slab we used as well :)

What I really should be writing is how much I admire your kitchen. I never thought of myself as a white on white person but with the scale of your space and all the thoughtful details (glass cabinets with mullions, graceful hardware, exposed hinges, beadboard, stainless and super pretty stove, crown molding) it is so elegant and not spare or sterile. What color are you thinking of - warm or cool, contrast or cozy? I don't think you could go wrong, even the creamy yellow paint looks nice. Great kitchen.
bayareafrancy
13 years ago
Perhaps you can politely let him know that you will be posting a "description" (not a review, per se, just a fact based description) of your granite experience on Garden Web.

Can you tell us the company's name? Not as a complaint, mind you. Just: Hey look everyone! Here are photos of my granite done by "WeTemplateWithoutYou Inc."
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dees, that was very interesting info. The best part of your advice to me is to make sure the shipper puts instructions on it. This is great advice when I am the shipper. My company did tell them to call up at the front door when they sent said package. They didn't call as usual. I believe FedEx employees get paid much better to go the extra mile and the company makes more money as they are diversified in several areas I am told. They sure are the happiest young men and when I have told them how greatful I am, one of the two said to not worry we make very good money.They are well trained to speak with customers in a professional manner. My troubles are about to be over since my ex-husband made a good phone call today using his contacts to them and my company told UPS what they have witnessed through me and leveraged a deal for me when I receive any UPS packages or else they threatened to change contracts. It was eye opening to the president I work directly for because his company is known for customer service. There are books written on how they do it. They give UPS a lot of money nationwide. So, I will not be a priviledged customer I will just get what you all get for service. However, when I travel my company sends my luggage ahead to my hotel via USPS. dedtired, did you name this the FedEx Toss? Oh great now the carriers can have bragging rights for who tossed the most expensive piece. What a nut job this jerk is. I love it.You can post that every month and I will look at it. If you find out what happened to the guy (I want the smallest details like when FedEx was told what he did, what did they do - then let me know.) Kathi,I think there will be a lot of hustling in the next days. The weather is good around me anyway and this is their season to shine or lose a lot of future business. Why can't temp employees try to get noticed for doing a great job and perhaps get hired that way. I guess they are not trained well for the short time they work and get put in difficult positions. Blah, blah, blah. Thanks folks. Hope all your packages make you smile and are sealed with a kiss. The end,
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Somersetlass, yes, it's so easy to get bamboozled indeed! this is the 3rd time I've started the process of changing out our counters to granite. The first 2 times I chickened out, decided to use the money to visit Europe instead. From testimonies throughout the years, from as long as I can remember, all I've heard is about the stress that comes with getting granite countertops. I knew we wouldn't be immune to the anxiety, and I didn't want to deal with all the logistics that comes with it either, but this year I knew I just couldn't work with my existing counters any longer. I think I may have the ugliest kitchen counters known to man-kind. They are formica swirly blue. They're so totally atrocious. We've been living in this house for 3 years now and they still make me cringe every time I enter my kitchen. So I finally took the leap of faith. I'm not even an "I have to have granite counter-tops" type of woman. I honestly would've been happy with formica had they been a neutral color. I like the simple things in life, and sure I like nice things like everyone else does too, but I don't want to lose my mind over them either, but it seems that now this has taken on a life of it's own. What I'm really excited about is our sink more than anything. Do you sense the guilt I'm feeling over such an extravagance? lol
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I hope you're not talking about me. I don't take online things personally, nor did I actually think of this conversation as critical. Not many of us do here. I find when someone's newly online, they don't realize people take things in the emotion they themselves are currently experiencing. Not necessarily as intended, but don't sweat it. I'm a 2-decade, online pro. :) Re: fire. as much as I hate this expression, "It is what it is." But I'm compelled to add "it's what you do with 'it' that makes a difference." Our fire started with the water softener shorting out, which burned down into the walls. Ironically, the subsequent electrical system I endured for 5 years were extension cords strung through the house, poked through the exterior wall into the garage, where they were juryrigged directly to the breakers. Yes, ex-DH, that was such a great idea. But one cord did run the 220v space heater that warmed my sorry butt for 6 years. Until I got my solar grants and put HVAC into the house. Go figure. I'm sure this explains my done once done right philosophy. We're straying, but that's what these threads are about. T_G, what's the name of your paint color? LOVE it. I'm thinking my future sun porch might need to be that color.
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lisakitch
Original Author
13 years ago
Sparklekitty -- gosh, thanks! My house is a small 1920s bungalow and although it certainly isn't historically pure, it seemed important to do something that would fit with everything else, including the white woodwork, so I never considered anything other than white cabinets for this space. The glass doors resemble the original front door of the house which has divided glass the whole way down.

For paint color, I want to warm things up, but the buttery yellow that I had before doesn't seem right. Warm beige is where I think I am heading. And there will be a backsplash. Ideas on either of those are welcomed!
gillylily
13 years ago
It looks beautiful! It sounds like both you and your KD handled the situation with class-- the fabricator not so much.. I'm glad you are being compensated, even if it is at the KD;s expense...

Enjoy your space!! It is so warm and cozy and a place that anyone would want to gather!
dianalo
13 years ago
I love it. It is pretty and functional and just a happy place to make a nice meal!
I agree the yellow does not do anything for your counters. I don't know why, but a very pale aqua occurs to me for your space.....
katsmah
13 years ago
Beautiful! I'm renovating a kitchen that is only slightly larger than yours. You have done a wonderful job transforming that small space.
sabjimata
13 years ago
You did good!

I second Bayarea's suggestion that you let the fabricator know you are a member of the biggest online kitchen forum. I mentioned that, along with my blog, repeatedly when dealing with people and I think it helped keep everyone on good behavior.

As a member of the "it will eventually be okay" camp, I want to say I appreciate that you can still find the beauty and value in the stone. Your kitchen is looking great and I wish you many years of kitchen enjoyment.

Kudos to your KD. 10% is small potatoes when you are on the receiving end but big $ when you have to part with it. The KD is doing the right thing by making that gesture.

Again, it looks GREAT! I really do hope you get some $ back from the fabricator though.
dfaustclancy
13 years ago
Hi,
I too love your kitchen. You did a wonderful job with it. May I have the name of your KD?
neesie
13 years ago
Lisa, don't be so modest! Your kitchen is beautiful.
kitchenaddict
13 years ago
Hi lisa...

Hey, do you want to know what my FAVORITE thing is about your kitchen? Your Bianco Romano...that's what! Love it!

KA:)
granite-girl
13 years ago
Beautiful Kitchen ! I missed the original posting also, but I can't see where the mis-cut was. What did they end up doing ?
Looks like quite a change & better layout too.
Congratulations!
nancyaustin
13 years ago
Lisa, Elegant kitchen and terrific new layout! If you are looking for a warm beige, try Benj. Moore Hush (AF-95). I think it would be a great color with your granite. Lovely kitchen!
lisakitch
Original Author
13 years ago
thanks very much folks. Kitchen addict -- LOL!!
Debra -- Sounds like you're in Boston. I am in DC area. But for others, designer I worked with is Berrye Fishman at Kitchen Techniq in Rockville MD.
Nancyaustin -- I'll check out Hush, thanks.
granite girl -- Stone is fine, no seams or any damage. "Mis-cut" is that when they cut it the stone was upside down from the way the slab was standing when I saw it, so beautiful veining is over by sink instead of outside.
But life goes on and I have running water. Woo-hoo!
flwrs_n_co
13 years ago
Lisa, your kitchen is beautiful! More pics please!!! As far as wall color, I think it depends on the colors you have in the adjoining room. Pics of that room as well might help. How happy you'll be cooking in your gorgeous and oh so functional space!
breezygirl
13 years ago
Your kitchen looks absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you have some resolution, but that fabricator gets my evil eye. Could I ask about your hood? From one of the side angle photos, it looks curved. Is it?
mirz2000
13 years ago
Wow, sorry to hear you had trouble, but it looks beautiful to me! You did a great job.
kitchendetective
13 years ago
I'm trying to figure out where the soapstone will be and asked about the AGA because I think the distribution of black about the room should contribute to the decision process about the color of the hood and wall.
lisakitch
Original Author
13 years ago
breezygirl: hood is curved. It's a Zephyr hood called Tamburo. Closer photo is posted.

Flwrs n co. Yes, adjoining space is important -- is sitting area and dining 'room' (a corner, really), and will all be painted same color. Part of project is adding cabinets as banquette seating in the dining area, so next step is to choose fabric for that before I can finalize paint. Just need more time/energy to get all this done!

Here is a link that might be useful:

Update on last week's granite disaster posting

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