Hi, I have the shiny Ceasarstone in Desert Limestone, and I like it, although it's only been in for about 3 months. I'm sort of surprised that I have to scrub with a sponge to get some marks off. (Colorful stains, like ketchup, come up easily but things like scuff marks are harder to remove.) For that reason, I'd be reluctant to get the honed version. (Have you tried staining and then cleaning a honed sample?) I also wanted to put hot pots on it, but in practice, I don't really do that very much. There's one advantage to the formica - it feels and looks softer than the quartz (at least the shiny version). I sometimes feel that I have to place dishes carefully on the counter so they don't break. But maybe I just need to get used to it. One big advantage of the quartz is you can get any kind of undermount sink you want. (You may be able to with the formica, also, but it's not so straightforward.) I love brushing crumbs directly into the sink when cleaning up. Well, I'm not sure I helped. I will say, though, that everyone who sees the countertops loves them. Good luck! Rose

We remodeled our entire house in 1989/90 and updated the kitchen and baths in 2003 (new counters, faucets, some new appliances). - Hated the Moen faucet, so-so on the Grohe Ladylux Plus. - Kohler cast iron Exec Chef sink was a workhorse but we hated the double. Vastly prefer the super-single Swanstone. - We installed a huge wall of picture windows (24' long and 14' high) which is wonderful for natural daylight - but it also bleached the sheet vinyl flooring and wood cabinet moldings, and killed the refrig in 8 yrs. Had to coat the windows, but am glad we put in laminate cabs (the most UV resistant) even if the resale would be better with wood cabs. - Adore the frameless cabs: storage, storage, storage! Have had no trouble with the high-density particleboard boxes. Even a small leak in the Moen faucet for 6 months did no visible damage to the sink cab. The shelves are sturdy, the hardware has operated without a flaw, the laminate is a miracle of easy cleaning. I just wish they still made this line of cabs: Kraftmaid stopped selling it in the late '90's. I'd take them with me when I leave, if I could manage it. - GE makes horrible DWs, especially from the '80's and early '90's period. So why our Kenmore/GE DW refuses to die is a complete puzzle to me! One of these days I'll get a better-cleaning DW in here, though - this one is slowly rusting out. But of course, the rust never gets on the dishes nor impedes its operation, LOL. - Although I'd love to replace my range and refrig just to have those gorgeous new pro-style appliances that are now available, I've really no excuse for doing so. Mine work beautifully and are suitable for our starter home neighborhood. But I still might do it anyway just for my own fun, hehehe. - The layout, which I did myself, has a few minor flaws but no biggies. It's the most efficient use of space (U-shaped) and miles above what most cooks have to deal with. After almost 20 yrs, people who see it still find it visually pleasing and it works well for 1 cook or 4 (my whole family likes to cook). All these years and I still smile every time I walk into my kitchen. I love working in it, and that's what counts in the end, I guess.

Ditto the comments about sufficient work surfaces. Also am grateful for two sinks. I appreciate the ability to keep visitors outside the work area without banning them entirely. Am glad I've got so many different kinds of ingredients and pans so close at hand--don't have to head to basement for things this time. Workspace is sufficient, so interruptions are not disastrous. Pull-out wooden surfaces give me flexibility. (Our neighbor has had a sudden downturn in health, so in the midst of our Thanksgiving food planning and early assembly, I was able to construct a large lasagne for the neighbor's relatives this afternoon without getting testy or feeling that I was setting behind my own holiday meal.) We now have a coat closet, a front step, welcoming exterior lighting, a shovel-able driveway--all great for guests. Am thrilled to have table leaves, table cloths, china, vases, silver flatware, stemware, trays, and vacuum cleaner close at hand to the dining room. Am glad I got out the checkbook and paid for repair & reupholstery of dining chairs two months ago--no last minute probs. The lower drawers are working out well. Nice to not have those open lower cab doors in my way and don't have to bend over as much. I can see my baking ingredients easier. Having leftovers processing station is already paying off--wraps, containers, plastic bags, etc. Gel mats keep me from quitting too early because of sore feet and legs; I keep going. Quiet insulated niche for our dishwasher has proved to be good--allows me to listen to radio or people even when dishwasher is working. Similarly, am loving the low setting on my range hood--allows me to hear radio or telephone. DH decided to fill our two dehydrators with apple slices yesterday--AARGH! Why couldn't he wait a couple days? But at least the units are in closet and apples aren't in my way. There are sufficient closet shelf space and outlets to allow this and we put vented door on the closet so the closet doesn't overheat. If he comes home with gamebirds tonight, finishing that cleanup won't set me behind either. (But now I have fewer excuses for not being ready when guests come tomorrow.) Love the good lighting. Enjoying the decor. Am thankful that our home equity loan is at abt 3.5 percent still, so we're maximizing our available cash.

I also have a Rohl Allia fireclay sink and have had it since February of 2005, so almost 9 years! I wish I had heard of a sink grid when our sink was new, because the bottom of our sink is pretty scratched and stained from the heavy use it has seen over the years. My husband and I both cook and bake a LOT, and use a lot of cast iron, though I don't necessarily think the cast iron has been the issue. I think it's just the general wear of lots of pots and pans being cleaned in the sink. I absolutely love the size of the sink, but am disappointed at how grey and scratched the bottom is. It just looks like the shiny finish has worn off and now the bottom is porous and stains very easily. I have only used sponges and microfiber clothes to clean it, occasionally giving it a good scrub with vinegar and baking soda which I then rinse off thoroughly. I've been thinking about it recently and wondering how other sinks have fared as we're thinking about re-doing some parts of the kitchen (cabinets), but I like the counter tops and size and placement of the sink so I'm torn as to whether or not to keep it in spite of the worn look of the bottom. If it weren't so scratched up it would be a no-brainer as it is an awesome sink other than the wear/staining. I wanted to post this for anyone else thinking of installing this type of sink. Maybe a grid would have prevented the heavy wear, but it's too late for my sink. I am wondering if there is any way to "refinish" an installed fireclay sink... If anyone has done so or has any information I would love to hear about it!