blondelle, Thank you. I do know all the "bad" things about marble, but I still am going to pull the plug, because of it's beauty. I will go with the Vermont Danby as I think it is a bit more durable. I know Quartz is all the rage, but 20+ years ago so was Corian, so that's what I got. Although it has held up beautifully (solid white), I am done with "FAKE" materials as to me they look fake. I have yet to see a marble look alike that looks like marble to me. I'm a decorator, so perhaps I have a keener eye, but I just can't do it. I'd rather have etching etc, in a real material than have a perfect finish on a fake one. Everyone is different, that's just how I role.

I'm going to be getting Quartz later this Summer. I'm buying it directly from the fabricator who buys it from the company that makes the slabs. They order the slabs, then the fabricator cuts it down to the size of your counter templates. It is a yard where I am going, I can hear them cutting stone every time I drive up. I was going to to with Silestone Lagoon, but after seeing LG Viatera's Minuet, I like it better because it's more of a creamy white rather than grey tone of Lagoon. The link here doesn't show how pretty it really is because of monitor screens. http://www.lgviaterausa.com/products/16/187 I was told that once they template and order, I have to come to the yard and approve it before they begin to cut the stone.

have you looked at Paper Mache?

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