Thank you, luckymom. This house is still a work in progress; no doubt I'll be ready to remodel by the time I get everything like I want it, LOL. The slate is called Multi, and has charcoal, rusts, greens, golds, deep aubergine, and a little cream tones. As I mentioned, it is gauged. It is not the Chinese Multi that you see at Lowes and some home improvement stores, although it is similar. Some of the Chinese Multi has purple, or irridescent colors (very pretty) but is more fragile and flakes more. Also some of the Chinese Multi I looked at is not gauged. Here are some closeups of the Multi--hope this helps!

I have seen this type of damage a lot over the years being in the homeowners insurance business and here is my take on it. Based upon the drywall damage as seen in the photos it needs to be pulled and replaced. While it's possible some of it may be dried with fans the cost to do that versus cutting it out and replacing just isn't worth it. Plus you really need to get the framing behind it dry as quickly as possible. The entire continuous ceiling should then be painted to match. The floors may be a bit more difficult as you already have some cupping of the wood. Usually the cupping and warping will get worse before it gets better so don't be suprised over the next day or two if it looks and feels worse. The GC probably wants to wait and see if thats the case or not. If the cupping is very slight it may go back down but it usually takes a few weeks for wood floors to dry out completely after being wet enought to show cupping. Worst case scenario is the entire floor will have to be resanded and finished, the problem with that is they can't sand flooring with too high of a moisture content or it will buckle again so the damaged area should be pulled and replaced as you are not in a situation to wait a month or longer for it to dry out. You also don't want to put off the floors until after you have moved in because you then have a whole lot of furniture and contents to worry about moving etc.. Plus refinishing floors is dusty and smelly work requiring you to be out of the house for several days once it's done. Unfortunately you can't sand and refinish just the area and get it to look right. If this was a pantry or small bathroom you may get away with it but not in the middle of the kitchen. It's too bad because if you have to resand it you have just lost some of the useful life of your floor as you can only sand it so many times before it has to be replaced. Hopefully it turns out not to be too bad and it can easily be repaired but if not hang in there and work through it. The idea of getting a water mitigation company out to take a look is also not a bad idea just for a second opinion. They can use moisture meters to tell you how bad the floors are and if they can dry them or not. Good luck.

I only saw your posting the other day. I was struggling with the same decision. I finally found one my husband and I both REALLY liked. It is called Giallo Antico. It is a tight pattern (not busy). Relatively neutral in color and looks great with the multicolor tile. It compliments it instead of fighting for attention. :-) The floor is the Star of the show! We Love That Slate. Another granite we liked really well was Cafe' Imperial. Beautiful But dark brown and it wouldn't work well with our dark cabinetry. Good luck. Post Pics when you can.

As a fellow sufferer of middle age (beats the alternative) the sagging isn't going to stop (as any number of pulled to tight, frozen faced celebrities can attest). I wouldn't do tile, it won't give with the next sag. Get something easy to stand on that will give a little f something else should settle or sag. It will be better for you in the long run. Cork and linoleum offer lots of versatility, great colour choices and may set off you beautiful cabinetry better than more wood.