Thank you sooo much for your advice!! I'm committed to this stone so passing was more for peace of mind than my decision. I was going to use soft scrub right away but kept pushing it off 'next thing I do after this' over and over - when I finally did it the soft scrub product I used only faded it a little - Really upsetting! Then I saw the soft scrub gel on the shelf and decided to let it soak a little before scrubbing - when I went back to it the gel had completely dissolved it -, NO SCRUBBING, no etching, and most important NO WORK!!! YAY! My quartz passed the Sharpie test!!!!!! Thanks Joanne for your tips, they worked - I should know this, but I don't remember the exact composite of my counter - I have for gotten by now - I'll ask again - but that's irrelevant as it works, it really works!!! Nika, while the sharpie test is extreme I use them all the time and though the house rule is no sharpies for kids, the 3 ft tall picture of a man drawn by my 2 yr old at the side door is evidence that rules w/ 2 yr olds aren't always golden! Mr. clean sponge isn't all that strong compared to a sharpie- hmm maybe I should try the soft scrub? 5 months for a remodel, that's nothing, I have you beat by lots!Way to long to admit in print Rachel

I have Pental lattice, it reads white but has some very fine caramel veins if you look up close. I have had it 2 months now so not long, but have not notice any staining and with moving in the the house and all I have not kept things as clean as I normally do and things have sat on it over night. I cleaned up some blueberry syrup that had dried on there. A smear of grape juice. My husband sat an aerosol can on it that had rust on the bottom and that came right up. So far so good.

Nic's,,the 4" piece should come off easy enough. you may tear the paper on the backsplash, which is ok if it's not too deep into the drywall. I guess if you were on scene you could have asked them not to install it. I mean, what difference is it to them whether or not it goes on the wall? to say it would be more money not to have one, is ridiculous. it takes more time to cut one and finish the edges! but, whatever. as for the design, it's a herringbone. and those I've shown you come on 12" sheets so you don't have to do the actual design (which is very difficult) the first one is calacatta marble in a 1x2 herringbone (also comes in a 1x4, which I like better). You can find this all over,,,even Houzz carries it. If you want the marble, then stick w/the Calacatta not the Carrara. carrara is a blue/white and will clash w/your counters. calacatta has a warmer tone to the stone. the 2nd on is a tumbled travertine which you can get here: https://www.pebbletileshop.com/products/Cream-Herringbone-Stone-Mosaic-Tile.html#.WhX_BLaZNT4 this will give you an idea of what it looks like installed (you can turn it longways as well) If you search "herringbone mosaic tile" you should get lots of ideas and places to buy them. this one is from Lowes, allen and roth. you could buy one and bring it home to see how it looks this is the basketweave this would also work. crackle glass by Merola tile. Olean Glass mosaic. I think Home Depot carries thesenothing wrong w/doing a little color. pale green, blue or gray would also work well. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Merola-Tile-Chester-Sage-3-in-x-12-in-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-1-sq-ft-pack-WNU32CSG/300341310 these would also look nice,,,they have them in different shades https://www.mercurymosaics.com/shapes/field-subway-tile/

Your kitchen is beautiful! I love the mix of white and wood cabinets with the Hanstone quartz. Thank you so much for the photos! I used this quartz in my bathrooms and this is similar to what I’m planning to do with my kitchen next. I see you continued the quartz in the backsplash behind the stove. What did you use for the backsplash behind the sink and desk? Also, what have you found to work best for maintaining the quartz? I’m a little afraid of mine given the warnings they gave me about heat damaging it. I’ve also noticed that I need to wipe off water spots. Thank you!