a slab of stone seems to be quite common, and it looks nice. Concrete, in some places. Glass is used--sometimes backpainted, sometimes tinted. Some photos show wood--though there are risks w/ that, of course. You could use a very modern tile, I suppose--I'm thinking 1x1-inch, in porcelain or glass. Either clinical white, or perhaps beautiful aquas and metallics. Or a bigger tile, just one that's very sleek. Any of the solid countertops: stones (granite, marble), Silestone, quartz, soapstone, solid-surfacing (Corian, etc.). Stainless is used sometimes, but I see it w/ white sink, not clear glass. Some vessel sinks just sort of float out there on brackets, but that could be hard in a guest bathroom, if your guests will need to set their toothbrushes down on something. (for a powder room, it would be OK) For a modern spa, you want both luxury and clinical cleanliness. Maybe marble? How much storage do you want? For a spa look, you don't want anything very bulky. But if you go with a vanity of some sort, and can stash cleaning supplies and extra toilet paper in it. Maybe a skinny vanity, w/ modern lines? that will also hide the plumbing. And you can put the TP on the inside of the doors. And you can put a slab on top that's much wider than the pedestal, for more contrast? (and to emphasize the skinniness of the vanity?) You don't want your counter surface to distract from the sink. (I did a search on images.google.com for "vessel sink") Here is a link that might be useful: some helpful thoughts about dimensions, faucets, etc.

I often see posts about Carrera and Calacutta marbles --- has anybody done Crema Marfil? Is it really a "true" marble? I had a granite in mind for my master bath and there isn't enough of it. On my revisit to the stone yard I was once again attracted to the soothing qualities of crema marfil --- only a tiny bit of veining, very consistent, with once in a while fossils. It looks very pretty. My other granite choices just didn't seem to work as well with the fabrics and cabinets that I have in mind. The crema marfil would make a very monochromatic look, but it would allow my pretty windows to shine and would hopefully all just look pretty together. But, I came home, jumped on GW and saw so little about it that it worries me! Don't mean to hijack, I'm just hoping somebody has experience with this stone! Here is a picture of the combo --- the creamy color will be my cabinets, the dark brown paint and then the fabrics are window seat and window treatment. The little glass crackle tile would be periodic in the floor. I could do crema marfil floor tile as well, but again, not much info! BTW, kateskouros, if I had an island like your gorgeous island, I'd be propped up on it making margaritas!

Thanks for the nudge Breezy and Fishies! It's long over due. See my link below... drbeanie2000 - you better believe it! Yes, I love my kitchen (and the rest of the house) mostly because it's all mine and we are settled. All the little things I agonized and fretted over don't seem so worrisome now. Actually, all the little things I own and will go on the "in the next house" list. ha! All in all, I am happy will all my choices and am thoroughly enjoying it all! What more could I ask for, eh? Here is a link that might be useful: my full spec reveal post

Hmmmm...I was under the impression that one would ALWAYS want the veining to run 'along' the wall/lengthwise. I'll have the same predictament and I believe the fabricator is planning on a similar type of seam. I'd also like to see some pictures with this type of L-shape counter with seam! My DD just had a granite install but her L-shape is in the corner, not along a peninsular like mine, so no one would really notice the "slight" mismatch in the weins. (actually I'm hoping he needs to use the 2 slabs I put on hold because they're very similar and the match would be oh-so-simple!)