oceanbaby, re the white slipcovers...Oh yeah! I have slips on my f.R. sofa( not white). They aren't loose- shabby chic, and though I love switching them out ONCE A YEAR, it is a bit of chore. I'm guessing the white slipcover/upholstery folk with kids or dogs go my route: When not wearing slipcovers, I place a nice looking quilt on the seats, and remove it when I please. Otherwise,the dog's muddy feet(this is her one sofa) and kids spills could be tough to deal with. Without this device, on white, I'd need a maid to wash them weekly! caroleoh, not to start up "McMansion" talk again.... and I guess there have been many, though I've seen only a few....I really wish the expression was used vs. abused, before it loses all meaning. In most parts of the country a 5 million house would be a large custom built home, and other than a few places such as Ca., usually come with some land. A McMansion, refers to very large tract house. Though large, there are many of them, all the same...Mcmansion.

Nora, we just had 2cm honed AB installed last week in a new addition kitchen in an 1840 house. I absolutely love it. We also have white shaker cupboards and felt that a thicker edge would look too modern in our period style kitchen. Ours were put down directly on the counters. I hesitated getting AB because of all the negative reviews but I am so pleased I did. Rather then being the feature of the kitchen the countertops just blend in with the surroundings. The look is warm and old and wonderful. Have not used the kitchen yet but our fingers have been all over them and they clean up beautifully with Method Daily cleaner. I did not have them sealed or enhanced. Haven't figured how to post yet and don't have time at the moment but will be posting my finished kitchen in the next week. Good Luck!

Thank you all for your responses. Kevin - I will definately try to check out both Desert Amarillo and Juparana Bordeaux. I'm not sure which black granite was on display; it was on a large island and it had an inlay in the center of another granite. It was very striking, but I am afraid I'd grow tired of the inlay. I will definately consider your suggestion about the Method product. jeanteach - I know I posted a question on your other post, so forgive if I'm repetitive here. I did find in another of your posts which stated which enhancer you used. gwendelen - from photos I've always liked Ocean Green and Coste Esmerelda, I will see if I can find them to see in person. I am still a little confused between enhancers and sealers; isn't there a difference? Also, will either a sealer or an enhancer wear off and have to be reapplied after time? And, sinced honed isn't as shiny as polished granite, does the enhancer or sealer put a shine back on the granite. I really liked the non-shiny surface. I also need to go to an actual granite yard. The showroom I was in yesterday carried everything from windows to kitchen cabinets and we were actually there to look at windows for our house build.

I know this has been asked and answered But I still need some help. After an extensive search for a slate counter top I settled for honed black granite. The owner of the quarry guaranteed me he would seal it before delivery and it would not leave any discolorations. That did not happen, the installers just wiped it down with a sealer and when epoxy was used for the sink glue residue & finger prints set in as well as every splash of water after the faucet was connected. I called the dealer?quarry the next day and he said he would take care of it. 1 week later everything was leaving stains even if I wiped it immediately, splatter from the stove just spread with each wipe. I called again and told him he needed to send someone over to remove the stains and reseal it properly. His response was well it's stone it's going to do that?????? but he would sell me a sealing kit!!!!I responded what good is that if it's stained. he said use bleach, didn't work either. Help! this guy lied to me and now I'm stuck with a top that is getting worse by the day, is there something wrong with this stone? What can I use to remove the glue stains & food splatter, water marked do come up if I repeated scrub them but that's all day every day???????