Thank you everyone. I did speak to a fabricator and he echoed the issues with Super White as not being a quartzite that has the durable properties that you look for in a quartzite (did not get into whether it really is one or not - moot point) so the lack of duribility takes that out of the running. So unless I get really lucky and find a couple - possibly 3 - slabs of a durable natural stone that will hold up to our type of use, I am back to manmade quartz. I am familiar with most brands and loads of information on this site but nothing on the Antolini brand. Anyone have anything to share about it?

We have polished Organic White countertops. We also get subtle metal marks that won't come out. These counters are just a few months old. No one else would notice it, but I certainly do. I would recommend getting a sample of the quartz you are considering and testing it yourself. Maybe we're just unlucky? Although, the number of websites that say "quartz doesn't stain" seem to be equalled by the number of websites that say "here's how to get stains out of your quartz". We haven't tried Magic Eraser and it is somewhat discouraged since it is abrasive, but we may try that next.

we have leathered (honed?) absolute black perimeters and in each of the three bathrooms the island is butcher block and we love it no fingerprints, stuff (crumbs, flour etc) does show but clean up is easy and looks great i've had a very high end granite with lots of movement and i don't clean up any more now than i did then and i disliked it a lot......i wouldn't choose a "shiny" finish for the island but i'm not going to say it wouldn't be attractive... bil has absolute black (shiny) and it is difficult to keep looking nice...

why aren't you posting pictures of your kitchen and your room-wall colors? I don't understand why you have 'stand-ins' that are 'close' to yours. A picture is worth a 1000 words, yes? just post it instead of trying to describe it to us. What are 'high quaity materials' ?? I mean, that could be million diff things! People are probably mistaking that kitchen picture thinking it's yours, and advising not to paint. You're not getting honesty, you're getting a full on assumption and guess. So, what do yours actually look like? you say it's dim, why? not enough light through windows? ceiling lights? If you want advice on color or design, you're going to have post actual, real pictures of what you're talking about. Otherwise, we're spitting into the wind here!