GoRavens.... 1. Ab.so.lute.ly! love the stones shown on the MotW website. I'm more partial to the cooler palate but both are examples are spectacular. 2. The stone on CL, I like it also, but unless you can use the greater majority of the slab in one piece (because of the way the colors 'zone') then I think you will have a slightly minimized wow factor. 3. I've looked at similar stones but for an accent wall in a walk-in shower. I know....huge overkill...and way out of my budget. But a girl can dream right? 4. For me, the stone screams contemporary so as such, I would want to see it in a more contemporary/modern/euro sort of kitchen design. 5. I would like to see it be a focal point piece for use on an island or as a backsplash behind the cooktop, making sure it was beautifully lit regardless of the location. So there is my 2.5-cents worth of feedback. Pepper ~ Granite installed yesterday. :-)

Yea, the counters aren't in bad shape at all. Except there's some water damage around that wood trim. Which is also the part I hate the most. That trim! And with wanting to paint the cabs white, I can't leave that and I don't like the look of that part painted, either. You know how you walk in the room, and something just stands out and as eye sore, making you not like the entire room. That's what these counters do for me. I really wouldn't mind the kitchen at all, if it weren't for those. Heck..I'd probably not even paint the cabs, (a whole other fear there). But, the green with the red paint kills me. If we don't get them done in the next six months, we're painting the kitchen again. Just to get rid of the red and green. It's funny, one of the reasons we bought this house a yr ago over some of the others, was because of the counters. I was so sick of seeing the same granite everywhere, this was a nice change. I think if I could go to a granite yard, pick out a beautiful slab I'd consider doing granite. But, I'm really just tired of seeing it in every single house I go to. High end homes, to middle of the road ones like mine. I have no choice but to do something cheaper, from a box store. And I just can't see doing the thin, little granite slabs all the builders and flippers do around here.

Home4all6- Thank you for the picture and the link! I remember seeing this keeping room, when it was in the magazine...especially this picture :) From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures The yellow walls and the blue fabrics, look great with the wood furniture and those tile floors. That's almost the color of my brick fireplace. If they had some green plants and a bit of lavender, it would be perfect! LOL Did you notice though...how the kitchen looks a little colder than the keeping room. Love the tile (especially on the island) and the floors, but all that white is just too bright and new (IMHO) to go with the older/collected feel of the keeping room. I think antique (rather than shiny) brass would help...but some wood cabinets and maybe a warmer white would make a big difference. Thank you so much, again, for the pictures and it would be fun to be neighbors! (LOL) But, I don't think that would be enough land for my horses...they eat a lot and need a really big pasture. Mike- I'm glad you like the pictures! I really like that finish, too. It's not too glossy and does look more like a natural finish. My guess (and it's just that) is maybe they have a satin finish on them and aren't stained. A good finish should protect them...and again, guessing, but probably several coats, sanded in between. If you want to use these pictures, please feel free to post them and ask if anyone can give you more info. How goes your kitchen remodel and what did you decide to do with your hearth? Sorry, if I missed a post...but I've been wondering how you were doing. It's going to be such a great kitchen!

Sarah, we have a wood island countertop, but opted to do soapstone at the end where the prep sink is. It's the best of both worlds for us - no fuss maintanenace around the sink, and I don't worry about water with the wood island countertop. BTW, we finished our wood with Waterlox and the upkeep is really easy. While we do minimal "prep" on the wood island, we eat at the island daily and always serve buffet style from there when we have guests, plus sit there to read the paper, use the computer etc etc so it gets a heavy workout. Eliz