No. It is not just you. Instead of being in the "information" age, we are in the "disinformation" age and it's not just kitchen, it's news, it's politics… it's either ignorance or lies....

totally agree! Making all these choices is not fun like it should be. I second guess every little thing I pick and find myself just picking whatever to just be done with it.

I agree that there is so much contradictory information that it can be difficult to make a decision. Cabinet finish, counters and appliance options frustrated me, and I second-guessed my choices up until installation. For counters you need to find a place you can trust and research without over researching, since you will always find both positive and negative reviews on everything. I think that's why I am still am undecided about my backsplash, I'm basically sick of the whole thing. I just told DH that I wish I could go away and come back and find the backsplash done. Hang in there!

Ha! No, it's not just you. Too much information and too many choices. You can drive yourself crazy. I think that I am already there.

I read GW for nine months before my remodel. My cabinet maker said he wished all of his customers were as well-informed.

Have you read Karin's excellent countertop geology threads?

And Chinese quartz isn't the same as Breton-manufactured quartz like Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, etc. There are a very few Chinese companies that use that technology. You can check Breton's website to make sure your quartz is manufactured by Breton.

Permanent discoloration on no-name Chinese quartz caused by putting hot mugs from the DW on a towel on the counter.

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You're not alone. It's a common malady. Too Many Choices: A Problem That Can Paralyze

Oh yes, I have read and reread everything for the last year working up to this remodel. I think that's why I am so disgusted by it all - none of it is rocket science but the marketing/sales pitches/contradictions are just so frustrating. It just amazes me how two people can look at you in the eye and tell you with conviction two completely contradictory things. I know I need to step back and regroup, but it still gets to me.

I have to say part of the problem is not enough product education from the factories (reps) to the sales staff/designers. On occasion , we also hear contradictory things too. There is so much information that we kitchen designers must retain and work with is in itself a full time job.

My only advice to you is pick what you love and if possible, buy from reputable, long-running companies....and if a lot of information is important to you, visit manufacturer websites, read articles, blogs and online forums like GW.

Find out how to test. Katin has some good procedures. Take responsibility for your choices by testing, templating and being on top of every segment with the knowledge you'd need to do it yourself. . . . .And of course Chinese products will need complete verification(well maybe extreme verification) or ignore them.

weedmeister - you just made me laugh out loud. Too bad it's true.....

but the marketing/sales pitches/contradictions are just so frustrating. It just amazes me how two people can look at you in the eye and tell you with conviction two completely contradictory things.

That is because they don't really know and they are just trying to sell. They probably work on commission. Think car sales and furniture, that is what you are dealing with. I agree I hate it.

In some ways I wish I just made my decisions without doing any research so I could at least bask in the "isn't it wonderful?" for a little while before the harsh realities started to show. Is it just me????

True to all! Just for a few minutes I'd like to bask lol!

I couldn't agree more so yes, yes, and yes to all!

that was good therapy for me to read this thread! For some reason it makes me feel good to know others are in the same boat LOL Geez, I think I'm losing my mind sometimes! Really?!

i haven't even contacted my KD in over a week because I have had kitchen paralysis. I purposely busied myself with extra work hoping if I stepped away from all this kitchen stuff I would have some clarity when I came back to it.

I was able to make some decisions but now needing to make a decision on a range hood and I have literally called three range hood manufactures and one twice! I'm second guessing everything.

my kids have teased they will graduate before I finish the kitchen. My friends say I'm just not ready to do it.

totally agree! Making all these choices is not fun like it should be. I second guess every little thing I pick and find myself just picking whatever to just be done with it.

lakeerieamber I hear you and I think I'm starting to go in the just picking something and be done with it mode!

Melis918 just posted about tile help and like the next day she said she ordered. I was so envious. And my mom went shopping last week and saw some wood tile she liked and sent me a pic. She is having it installed today! And is so excited about it. I have lost the quick decision making and just the fun and excitement of just picking something to now just mulling it over and over researching. Ugh!

Yes. This.

Make the people you talk to substantiate what they say, just like turning in a paper in college. If I tell you that you can't put a hot pot on granite, you'd better believe I've got pictures that I took of granite with hot pot marks on it. You want the lady's address so you can go see for yourself? I got that too.

yep, I feel the same way.

there are doctors and there are doctors. there are teachers and there are teachers. there are designers and there are designers. no wonders there are sales representatives-and sales representatives, lol. find a reputable shop, or a salesperson/rep who sounds like he knows what he's talking about, is honest, is impressive in what he does. If this shop ends being more expensive-it's worth it in my book. High level of knowledge, service, commitment, responsibility, and pride in what one does can be found in any store, it depends on individual rather than store-but family business or high end manufacturer(that will connect you to a slab yard) usually won't let it slide between the chairs so to say.

There are totally amazing people in big chain stores too, and I've met them. the problem-everybody knows they're amazing, and there's usually only one in each department. so you just can't get to them, they're busy all the time, because they're the only ones who actually know what they sell and where to get it if they don't sell it.

In smaller places, they less depend on bulk of purchases, but more on quality of fewer ones and customers' feedback on that quality. So they don't let things slide, and they usually know what they sell. More demands on selecting the right team. Or so I feel. Noblesse oblige.