I agree, keep looking til you know it's the one. I would tend to say your first choice was rather "matchy" also. If you are not wanting that, maybe consider a color? Could that be a consideration? I think some green granite could be really pretty in your kitchen. :)

I am not loving it... and no, I wouldn't say it's warm.

I like the Colonial Breeze. I'm not sure you'll ever find a perfect granite in the light colors.

Do they have samples? It could look warmer under your lighting.

Love Colonial Dream

if there is anyway you could postpone and save a bit more I would go for the taj mahal. you will fall in love every single day. these granites just don't compare in the slightest. just a thought. good luck.

I was going to suggest the same thing Isabel did. Your kitchen looks fine the way it is now. The new countertops you are contemplating are fine too. Save the money and get something better than fine.

Count me in on waiting if you can. Taj Mahal is worth it. ;)

The TM is quoted at $13k. My husband will NEVER go for that. Never. Ever. Ever. The other granites are $5k. I'll keep looking, but I'm sooooo ready to get rid of this Corian. I hate it!!

Yes I know its quartzite. Yes the price tag is depressing. We have 82 sq ft.

Since your floor is on the busy side, stick with a tightly patterned granite.

The floor is not that busy and it's far enough from the counters visually to not be an issue

The TM is quoted at $13k. My husband will NEVER go for that.

Well shoot, that IS a big difference. :/

Here in Texas Taj Majal is 55.00 to 80.00 square foot installed! We looked at it and unsure if enough contrast for warm white cabs. The "less busy" white granites are prettty but can be too cool.

How about quartz?

Not as expensive as quartzite , probably cost more than the giallo

I saw some cream colors with shiny specks ...don't know the names but IMO would look beautiful with your dark cabs

I keep trying to like quartz & I just can't. Especially the sparkly stuff. I can't. Not my style.

I wish TJ was more affordable... sigh. I will continue to look. Something is out there.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback. I'm not dissing these choices yet, but I'll keep looking. That's the beauty of the stones, they will all look different with the next shipment.

I'm in the exact same boat in my own kitchen (except I have no countertops lol). I find Quartz slabs pretty but a bit too white and manufactured looking. Quartzite slabs can be pricey and too "busy" with the exception of ones like TM. Have you looked at any Alaska White granite? If you can find a consistent pattern without a lot of splotches. I find it to be a warmer white.

My house is 6 years old. The previous owners didn't make the best choices, but the cabinets are solid oak. I can't justify the money for TM, but I do want an upgrade from the ones we have now. I do like Alaska white, but most of it is too stark white.

I just released two slabs of leathered Alaska White; they would have looked great with your cabinet color. I think the leathered finish helps to visually blend the colors of grey, dark brown, cream, white.

I tried to attach a photo but...still problems with uploading, I guess.

"I've heard twenty years is the typical life of kitchen cabinets, and judging by the style, yours may not have too many years left, "

LOL! My house is 23 years old, and the cabinets are original, very solid and well built. I just put quartz countertops on them and I expect them to outlive me.

Here are 3 more choices....

Lemon Spice

I like Candescent White the best.

Lemon Spice....BUT...you need to check the absorption rate on all these!!! Granite fabricators often change names...some Indian granites have high absorption rates.

Is the only way to check the absorption rate to test the stone yourself? I do have samples at home of some of these that I have tested. Whatever I get will also get a dry seal at installation.

I do not think you have to limit yourself to cream and gold tones with your cabs. If you like them great but I think something like this would look great. Posting photos seems to be working now...Leathered Alaska White

Testing is best but you can find absorption rates online for most granite with some dedicated research. Do not forget to test with a drop of oil too...that seems to be a common complaint with some stones...edges especially absorbing oil.

The giallo verona absorbs oil rather quickly.

I love the Lemon Spice. Good luck on the tests.

After testing, staring at pictures, going to visit the slab, repeat, repeat, repeat... I'm leaning toward the Colonial Breeze...

That is going to look great!

It is a pretty slab.

I feel like it has more of a WOW factor & the Verona is too safe (besides being very porous). I do think the Colonial Breeze is a bit cool, but not down right cold. If this is totally a bad choice TELL ME! I feel like everyone I show they just agree with me... That's ok if I'm making a good choice, but this isn't a choice I can easily change. I need honesty.

It's beautiful. I love the interest, you'll never tire of seeing new patterns. Go for it and enjoy!

It is not too cool; it is a nice blend of colors especially since you seem to lean toward warm tones.

I think it looks really nice. I looked at the slab this weekend, and it goes much better with your wood-toned cabinets than my cream cabinets. Are you able to hold a sample of the floor against the slab?

I like it, I think it's a great choice. please post pictures when it's done!!!

I've heard twenty years is the typical life of kitchen cabinets, and judging by the style, yours may not have too many years left, so it's not worth it to put such an expensive stone as Taj Majal on them.

My house is 6 years old. The previous owners didn't make the best choices, but the cabinets are solid oak. I can't justify the money for TM, but I do want an upgrade from the ones we have now. I do like Alaska white, but most of it is too stark white.

There is nothing wrong with your cabinets. The style is a classic and the truth is oak is coming back in style. Put in what you love.

I like the colonial breeze. Honestly, I like the lemon spice more... it has less spots (garnets ?). Has a subtle movement that would look pretty in an island or peninsula. Sorry to be the dissenting voice, but you did ask :)

i had earmarked a granite slab that looked more browns and blues when seen vertically.( blue dunes )but the sample I got from the same lot had a lot of egg yolk yellow in it .

If you go with the colonial breeze do make sure that's not the case with your slab. Unless you are fine with the yellow in which case disregard all I said .

all the best !

@CurryUp The lemon spice looked completely different in person than the pic of the slab that they sent me. I was sad. The Colonial Breeze has very very little yellow in it. They are bringing in 6 more slabs from the same lot on Friday. I'm going to check them out.

Thanks for the update @mark_rachel.

Looks like you will have plenty of slabs to choose from. Just based on my limited experience, try to get slabs from the same lot. You dont want any surprises after installation.

Regards

Yes I will be selecting my exact slabs & I'll be present for the templating. I'm going out of town for a week & hopefully coming back with a fresh eye for selection.

It looks very similar to the Colonial Breeze, but warmer.

I am happy you found something you are enthusiastic about. Your kitchen refresh will be fab.

Ditto.

Great choice.

Oooooooohhh ..... beautiful. Perfect creamy color for the cabinets.

mark_rachel, beautiful granite. Please post pics of your final kitchen. I'm keeping this one in mind for my reno.

Very pretty ! Looks like a keeper ..