Once I get a door sample, I will try it with the Torquay. There is a Cambria warehouse about 2 hours from here, so I can go look at slabs if I like the sample. I have to decide if I like the quartz as its own thing - I don't want to feel like I bought "fake marble." I do like the subtlety of the Torquay pattern in the pictures, but I really would like to get a little color in this kitchen, preferably some blue or green, and I don't know how to tie that in with the Torquay. The appliances are stainless steel. The porcelain floor tiles will be selected after the counters. I expect they will be a lighter shade in a very large format (i.e., 12x24, 24x24, 24x48 or something in that range). I am attaching a CAD of the layout. The island shape is something my designer friend was playing with. I expect the island will probably go back to being a 4'x8.5' rectangle, but the choice of slab may impact the choice of shape. There is a large amount of open wall space on the back wall around the range, so the choice of backsplash is very important. I feel like I need pattern in either the counters or BS - having both be solid colors just seems too stark to me. My original color plan was walnut cabinets, blue and white Namibia Sky counters, slightly iridescent white mosaic BS tiles, light blue paint on walls chosen to complement counters. Now that I am afraid of using the marble counters, I need a new plan. I saw a kitchen I liked on DIY that had a solid off white quartz counter and a mosaic backsplash that mixed green, SS and the off white of the counter. Of course, that kitchen had espresso cabinets with no visible grain pattern. I am worried about having a large BS with a pattern that competes with the walnut grain, which is why I thought it would be safer to go with a counter with movement and a solid color BS. I like the idea of using back painted sheets of glass for the BS, but I understand that is quite expensive and I can't splurge on every item!

I like the green and the cream coloured tiles, but not the grey tiles from option A. Option B is far too dark for my taste. I think I would try to find a backsplash that is lighter than your floor and cabinets. Darkest colour in the 'splash no darker than the doors. I do like the glass-stone combination, that does read modern to me. HTH, Petra

My husband makes the best french fries. He cuts the russet potatoes in rounds....doesn't peel them. Then he cuts them in sticks, so they are about the size and thickness of my little finger. He has a pot of oil, and he dumps them all in at once...which tends to cool the oil a bit, but when the oil reheats and they finish frying, it is like they have been fried twice, which is the real way to make french fries. You fry them, drain them, and then fry them again. They are lightly crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. I used to always cut my french fries length ways, but after seeing how he does it, I changed to his way. His still taste better than mine. I am another one who loves an electric skillet. I don't think I have ever fried potatoes in one, but I like frying chicken it better than I do using cast iron. And I have over 100 pieces of cast iron cookware. Or, did have. I have given a lot of it away.

Yes racy I said........... "Yes fine - you will get to the three fabricators, and never to where those are eventually going . Which is someone else's kitchen?" Generally, when a fabricator calls for the slabs ? They are sold.....to a homeowner. If this OP got hers, which is absolutely great? It was a remnant and the original stone shop was still in the wrong for the frustration caused, as they were tagged for this OP........and should also have been tagged for her fabricator