Doing a small powder room with 2x6 pearl marble subway pattern on walls up to 40" topped by a marble mini brick border and marble chair rail. I'd prefer Not to use a marble floor because its at the beach . I have found this carrera look porcelain that works though its a tad whiter , I would use grey grout . Should I get the real marble floor or look for a different porcelain , I really don't mind the upkeep on the walls but would rather not worry about countertop and floor as its a heavily used bath . as for countertop , on the white 30" vanity , shall I use torquay or a plain white quartz . ? thanks for input . For the record my friend rented a beach house wilth all carrera countertops and was given a 2 page list of all things to avoid , she ended up covering the entire countertop w placemats for the month rather than worry about what would stain or etch them .

Hi there - images of the items you've already decided on, and the space would help, but you're already doing the best possible thing - driving up to see a slab. Lots of people choose their own slab of solid surface and all seem to think it's worth the effort. Silestone lagoon is very pretty, but if I were choosing that or any other faux marble surface I would stay as far away from actual marble (even in the bs) as I could get. It ruins the illusion a little for me. I have a dear friend who used porcelain faux marble tile on the walls and tub surround of her bathroom, and real marble tile on the floor. I begged her not to. The faux was beautiful until it abutted the real thing. Now you walk into the space and see the faux. But many many others make the same choice you are making and like it, as in the image below (an ad for the Countertop Connection - link below). I think solid surface alternatives for absolute black are fantastic, like the Tebas black below, and look amazing next to marble. If you know you want the bs tile, take it with you when you go to see the slab. Bring samples of the floor and cabinet color too. You may love them all together, but even if you don't, samples of the other items you want will help the fabricators to help you find a slab you do love. Here is a link that might be useful: Ad

I'm having a difficult time finding my counter install post and finished kitchen post, but found the counter install post via an external search (link below). A few pics are in the Finished Kitchen blog - all of which you may have already found. Hope this is helpful. Here is a link that might be useful: Lyra pics

I just got back from a dealer to compare Helix Lyra and Blanco Orion. The blanco Orion is definitely more of a white background with veining more on the brownish side. I loved all of them but and stuck deciding on Lyra or Blanco...thought I loved Helix but it seems greyer against my white dove cabinets.