Another vote for quartzite here. Where we live, quartzite and marble are roughly the same price (marble being slightly more expensive). We lived with marble before and while I loved the look, I did not love the performance- the etching staining, chipping... we are very heavy cooks and entertain often and I couldn't stand the thought of chasing people around with coasters. We've been living with white macauba quartzite for 7 months now and I love it- it doesn't stain, etch, or chip and seems VERY hard and not at all prone to flaking. We actually have it as all of our bathroom counters as well (same slabs.) I also love that I can put a hot pan on it without worry- I beat the heck out of those counters and they look brand new. I know you said you're not interested due to "flaking" and cost, but I'd have a look if I were you!

Yeah, same here, like it's a dolomite or marble. You get so tired of looking, you're like "I don't care any more!!" lol. Actually, it's not funny. It's a true investment that gets used daily...so it DOES need to hold up and endure. I too am a messy cook and am a person that doesn't mind if something sits on the countertop for a few hours esp when you're having a party -- what's on my countertop is my least concern!

Anyone have any ideas for lighting? There is a hanging pendant that may still work. It is from MacKenzies-Childs and has just the right amount of whimsy and lightness. Plus, it is already hanging. (That's a biggie, I mean a huge biggie.) Here is the pattern from a different site: I'll also need a new fixture for over the table. I'm open to anything but what I have. The table seats six and has a beautiful finish. We covered it with the table pads and table cloth for the winter and construction. (Also, the Mackenzie-Childs pendant can be seen just a bit by the beam in the kitchen.)

We actually went to the Cosentino showroom and looked at Calcatta Gold and the Ethereal Glow. We chose the Calcatta Gold because it wasn't as white and it went so much better with our white cabinets and black island. They actually had a black island with the Calcatta Gold in the showroom and we loved it. I also am doing the Emser Passion for the backsplash and it's not a stark white so it matches the Calcatta Gold better. Our new build won't be ready until the Spring and I can't wait to see it all done.