Do you like to touch it? You are going to be doing that for many years.

So, I guess now I'm polling you guys for which look you like best.

Option #1: I put this gorgeous slab on hold for the
island, and would have it honed and then do the perimeters in either a
honed or lightly brushed Absolute Black granite.

Option #2: The Quartzmasters Organic White everywhere with white cabinets and gray painted island

Option #3: The Quartzmasters Statuary Venato with black perimeters or else the whole kitchen.

Do you like all white kitchens or does a mixed counter make things more interesting?

This is the backsplash I am considering

Pendants

Yes, I found myself starting to caress the Organic White quartz sample left out on my counter and that's when I started considering quartz again :)

And I'm moving the microwave, do you think the 2x8 subway tile in the herringbone will look good (i.e. have enough space to display its pattern) because of the small windows?

One more thing. I am so so sorry to be so long winded. The other thing I worry about with the Quartz is how long my counter runs are and the pattern repeating and just looking like wall paper. What do you think?

Thanks for the reality check Joseph. It's true, I keep reminding myself that I'm the crazy one and most of my friends can't even tell the difference between marble and Quartz.

Wondering "if I should make myself pick __whatever__ even though I don't like it on its own because of the overall effect it produces."

You need to pick "team players" ... if you pick things based on how well you like them as stand-alone features, they usually clash and detract from each other. And each decision narrows your options for the next things.

So ... decide whether the countertops are going to be the star of the show or a supporting player. And make sure they can stand up to the family's use of them when you select the materials. Or learn to deal with stains and nicks.

I would take large samples of whatever you were thinking of buying and put them on different countertops in your current kitchen and live with them in each location for a day or two to see how they interact with the light. In my kitchen the granite looks dirty every day all day and looks spectacular at night only. The Corian looks clean and attractive all of the time but it is not a spectacular "oh ah gorgeous" look like the granite at night.

katieleabrown86:

Start making decisions on the items with the least selection (appliances), go to the items with more selections (floor, countertop) and finish with paint colors. Now your choices are always getting larger instead of smaller. Nothing's more annoying that a lady carrying a wall paper border swatch around a granite slab yard trying to get a match.

I am considering white quartz that mimics marble too. I was just at a house over T-day that has honed Danby marble. It is really pretty, but you can definitely see rings from drinks and lots of water spots. It didn't look bad, but they were there. I saw Polarstone Olympia and liked it. I am concerned, though, because I think it is made in China. Is that a big deal? Anyway, I like the Statuary Venato, if that is what is on the island in the pic with the black counters. I also think that Quartzmaster slab you should is good looking. Here is the Polarstone Olympia.

Also, meant to say that I love those pendants. Will you share the source?

kelleg69, I really like that quartz! I just looked it up and of course the nearest distributor is 3 hours away in Dallas (same as the Quartzmasters). I guess I'm going to just have to make another trip. I don't know if the Chinese produced quartz uses the Breton technology everyone seems to talk about on this website. So I don't know what happens if they don't. Here is the link to the pendants, I ordered them a few weeks ago when they were 30% off and free shipping! http://www.horchow.com/Regina-Andrew-Design-Camden-Five-Light-Lantern-Pendants/cprod105150007_cat23930743__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat23930743%2526pageSize%253D120%2526No%253D0%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=cprod105150007&cmCat=product

Have you considered/priced Calacatta Gold quartzite -- not marble -- (or it's veined companion White Macaubus?)

javiwa, yes I have, I actually really like both looks. Definitely couldn't afford to do the entire kitchen, but I really should price out how much the island would be.

Are you painting your cabinets, replacing the doors or replacing the cabinets? All the "love/inspiration" pictures you posted have to the ceiling cabinets with heavy crown, flooded with natural daylight and half the photos are of inset cabinets. Is that your plan?

Hi Kiko, I wish I was doing all that. Just doing a refresh. Same cabinets painted white, I added that thicker crown, and will move the microwave and add a vent hood, new backsplash and countertops but that is all.

I have white cabinets and white (Danby marble) perimeters & island countertops. I love having all white countertops. You can warm up the all white look with a beautiful wood cutting board & accessories. You've also got warm wood floors.

We're empty nesters with marble & minimal etching (no drink rings). Four kids - unless you can embrace etching- don't get marble. Get your drama with a beautiful backsplash.

I wish I could tell you which white countertop to pick. I'm sure you've looked at tons of inspiration pictures. The Organic White (3rd pic in your first three inspiration pics?) looks great with the marble backsplash. You'd have the most backsplash options with that choice.

keep it real…sorry but I think all the marble look a likes look like look a likes. do the marble and honed granite.

Hi Katie can I ask what the backsplash is your friend used? How are you liking your Organic White countertops?

Mrscollie her backsplash is calacatta gold marble. I love my organic white countertops. They make me happy every time I look at them and I love how easy they are to take care of. Everything wipes up so easy and nothing absorbs. I had no idea how much I spilled and splattered when I cooked because my old granite hid everything. I highly recommend them.