Howdy. Every time I think about sitting down and providing an update, I get upset all over again...just like every time I walk into my kitchen (many, many times a day), the awful feelings churn up. I don't consider myself to be someone who needs to LOVE her kitchen. But at this point, I have nothing but negative feelings (emotionally and physically, really) every time I lay eyes on my counters. So, consider this as follow-up, more venting...what, closure? Maybe an education for anyone else going through this? I glanced at the date stamp on my initial post: what a way to mark this one-year anniversary. I'll try to stay as focused as possible. Last autumn, with all the small claims paperwork filed, both parties waited for a mediation date to be set (which likely wouldn't happen til after the first of the year). In Texas, a mediation session is required for small claims cases. In December, I called the precinct to double check and make sure the hearing didn't get pushed forward: I was shocked to hear that the fabricator had filed a countersuit in October! Part of the shock was due to my never having even been notified...very odd business, I thought. Up til then, their attorney emailed and snail-mailed every scrap of formage and documentation. We've said it and heard it time and again on these forums: give the company an opportunity to 'make it right'. I can't remembered if I covered this here already, but after they honed my tops, I was left with grit all over. We went back and forth, the fabricator not sure what happened...got to a point where he asked me to do internet research, contact his tech rep at MIA, post the problem with the pros at the Stone Fabricators Alliance forum, etc. I was told by this company that, don't worry, at the end of the day, they were going to provide me with smooth (non-gritty) and sealed tops. Several trips back and forth to re-hone on site. They finally switched brushes/heads and 'leathered' on-site (after asking me to provide and put up plastic sheeting to isolate the dust.) The grit resolved, but the leathering was very uneven. Shiny spots were mixed with dull spots; and there were grinder arc marks that they couldn't figure out how to get rid of. I told them it was good enough. The next several weeks were spent helping them figure out the right type of sealer to use. Their go-to didn't work, so again it was on me to find a sealer that worked. OK, so, the counter suit: not only did they fabricate two phony invoices for the hours and trips spent getting rid of the grit AND properly sealing the counters (each time, I stood side-by-side with the owner, helping him with the sealer applications -- sometimes timing, other times helping scrub and rinse with water during the stripping process), they claimed that I was more than 90 days delinquent paying these two invoices...to the tune of ~ $4,000 more (ballpark...can't remember exactly now). PREPOSTEROUS!!!! I knew this countersuit wouldn't hold any water: history would show that I always paid my invoices within 24-72 hours. And they could never prove that I received these two phony invoices: all invoices were emailed to me, and I can guarantee they could never have come up with original emails proving I was invoiced. During all this time, I sat down with my attorney acquaintance and laid everything out. He reminded me of one very important thing: at least in TX, small claims judgements are not binding. He felt I had a rock solid case not only to prove my case, but also to have the countersuit quickly dismissed. However, even if the judgement went in my favor, there's no guaranteeing I'd collect a dime. Up until the time I stumbled upon the countersuit, I somehow (naively?) had faith in the system, and felt that if I won the case, that would be that. Seeing what low and underhanded lengths this company and their attorney stooped with the countersuit, I started to doubt that they would honor a judgement. My attorney friend says these are the types of companies/cases he takes, and he spends months and years chasing companies just like this. (Going to stop here and post...back in a sec with the next part.)

Thanks everyone! I prefer a more organic appearing finish than plastic-look epoxy - and have ruled it out since posting for that reason alone. The patina we are applying is a heat treated one. The patina must be sealed with something or will continue to shift/change. We will use ColorLoc for initial sealer, then either Behlen Jet Spray or something appropriate to avoid heavy wear or scuffing of surface. I know waxing is recommended over top for a more food friendly surface for the kitchen. (There's a massive long thread on DIY copper counters on the Garden Web but no one has really delved into the long term top coat options). Heres an example of the patina on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ou_JMutfc8U heres one topcoat option specially for metal counters: https://www.everbritecoatings.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=42 here is Sculpt Nouveaus ColorLoc http://www.sculptnouveau.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=110&category=7 I hope this gives a better idea of what the plan is... please weigh in with any feedback/concerns!

It has held up great! I have a couple scratches from kids cutting without cutting board and dent from someone dropping cast iron skillet. There is also a dull spot near sink. I see it but rest of my family doesn’t, I think because I know I said don’t let water sit overnight. Overall I would do it again. I still get compliments and people are shocked I did it myself.

I built my house in 1995. Brazilian cherry pretty much everywhere. As to the rooms you address, I put it in the kitchen, in the first floor powder room, as well as in the master bath. Put tile in the kid's bath, my kids were 3 and 5 when I built the house. Also tile in the laundry and stone in the foyer. Master bathroom still looks terrific. Besides the sinks, water sources are a large walk-in shower as well as a large jetted tub. No issues, dings, damage whatsoever with the floor. Around and behind the toilet the brazilian cherry is still pristine. Kitchen floor has a few dings from dropped objects. Nothing bad, just a couple of small indents. No water damage though. And we've had a few spills over the years. The kitchen is used hard. No regrets with the flooring. First floor powder room, the first year we didn't have air conditioning up and running, and there was toilet tank condensate that dripped off the tank and on to the wood floor. The wood floor did have a bit of water damage, as I simply never noticed the condensate. Nothing bad. Stopped the condensate, lightly scuff sanded the floor by hand, and added a coat of finish. Has looked great ever since. Slight tangent, I made teak countertops in the kitchen and master bathroom, the main kitchen sink is an undermount. So exposed wood end grain around the perimeter of the sink. Zero damage to the wood. I mineral oil the kitchen countertops once a year, usually around thanksgiving. Bathroom wood countertops have a film finish, spar urethane. They look pristine. We're not neat freaks. We have no dogs. We've raised kids in the house, and our house was always the favored hangout for friends until we became empty-nesters. It's a well lived in house. But...even though we're not neat freaks, we do wipe up spills when they happen.