I am not a pro, but I love your granite in your space.

I think it's really pretty! I really like the wood, too. The whole look is fresh and interesting. It also has kind of an eco vibe with the woods and greens...very current.

I also think good lighting will make it look completely different. So, before you hate it, wait on the lighting. Can you just switch out lightbulbs until a bigger lighting project gets done? Or put something budget-friendly and temporary under the cabinets?

It reads rather neutral to Me. Backsplash might end up being the key thing. I think there is more to do and you will be happy w the bit of color you have W this. Nothing to worry about . a little bit of artsy-crafty w some tile picking When ready.

I love your cabinets…and that is a gorgeous big sink you have there. I think the diagonal application of the floor was a nice decision. The counter does look different in the last two photos, but if it came from the same slab, I don’t see how it could be. It must be the way the light is hitting it. You might want to try bringing lamps into the kitchen to see if that changes it and ask the installer/fabricator about it, just to alert him to the fact it’s not looking like the same color.

I often have buyer’s remorse. I have a hard time imagining what something is going to look like in the end, when there is a lot more of it. But I know to expect that.

You must have loved the counter when you saw it and I think you will love it still, you just have to get used to how it looks with everything else. Give it some time. I think even if you got the other counter, you would find it a difficult adjustment too.

Once you get your lighting in, and the backsplash done and everything put back in place, then the whole thing will grow on you. You are going to have a brand new kitchen and you are going to enjoy it very much for a long time to come.

I can't imagine how dark your vision would have left your space. This is a much better outcome.

This is very pretty, it's just not finished. This happens a lot in the middle of a project. Keep going, you are going great,

It looks great, but you may want to try some stone enhancer on a scrap.

Your stone is beautiful. There have been a lot of post on here that come down to change is hard to get used to. Give your self a good week to get used to the change and focus on bringing the final pieces together. Once your backsplash is done your items are out on the counters and your removable island is back in place you will love it

The big challenge for all of us is envisioning a large vertical slab of stone on a horizontal inside-my-house surface. It always looks different. You have lighting to finish and the island isn’t there yet. Give it time. Simplechoices is right - you are having a classic mid-renovation panic. It looks great. I have a green countertop as well and it looked strange at first, but now it’s lit up and finished and I love it.

I like your stone counters, I think it is the lighting that is making you second guess yourself. Once the walls are done in something less yellowing, and new lighting like pot lights and under cabinet lighting, I am sure you will like it again!

It's beautiful and it's just taking time to get used to the newness. This happens frequently on here. (and yes to improved lighting).

I think it looks beautiful. I agree with the other poster that says a darker counter would not have been right. I think some Motawi tile in an earthtone for a backsplash (or a similar tile that's more economical if that is out of budget) will really do wonders for your space.

It will look great with 4000K LED lighting everywhere, including under the upper cabs. What backsplash tile have you chosen?

It is lovely. With the pattern in the cabinets and the floor you found a wonderful calm stone that isn't just a solid color or white.

I understand the disappointment of it not being what you envisioned however, it is a beautiful stone and coordinates well with your wood's tone! Plus, the stone itself is gorgeous! I wouldn't cast judgements on it just yet since the space isn't done and the stone still represents what sounds to be a rough install and a less than desirable fabricator. Hang tight!

I like it. Once the backsplash is up and everything is in place, I’m sure you’ll love it too.

I think the Esmerelda counters are beautiful. Definitely a better choice than the Virginia Mist would have been in that space. As others have said, your feelings right now are common in home renovations and after a big expense. I guarantee that if you’d installed the Virginia Mist, you would be writing this same post about Virginia Mist. Except that Esmerelda is the better choice.

I think that it looks fantastic and I love the quiet, soothing vibe it gives your kitchen. That said, I understand feeling disappointed. We chose Glacier White Corian earlier this year for our kitchen remodel and while we’ve had it before and I do like it, it’s not exactly what I was after for this kitchen. I cannot afford to even consider replacing it though, so we’re making the best of it. If it helps at all, I’m jealous of your counters. :)

I think all your choices are beautiful!

Thanks you guys - I truly appreciate each and every one of the responses, you have all reassured me I made a good choice.

I do feel a lot better about today after a good night's sleep and venting about it. The sun is shining through the windows in the house and it just looks a whole lot better in my eyes today. She truly is a beautiful stone, so tranquil and calm -- pictures don't do her justice (especially the ones I took at night with cr*ppy lighting). I think you're right -- it's the change that I have to adjust to. Usually I am not like this -- I typically am a decisive person and confident in my decisions, but not this time. Maybe the stress and aggravation of dealing with this particular fabricator is the root of what's making me doubt my choice and not the stone itself.

I have no idea where he is with the piece that broke, but like I said I'm holding $4K of his money -- so if he never shows up I got the counter for a steal. {shrug}

Gorgeous. Don't regret it for a minute.

I agree that the vibe and color of the counter relates well to your cabinets. Also love the floor pattern that runs diagonal to the cabinets. Are the hickory?

"Also love the floor pattern that runs diagonal to the cabinets. Are the hickory?"

The floors are red oak stained natural. When I moved in I had them sanded down and re-stained -- they were some weird shade of red-orange.

I think the problem is that all you're seeing right now is the counter and the wood, so the view of your kitchen is just two-dimensional and limiting. Once you get your backsplash tile (or whatever) put in, and your usual familiar items on the counters, it will all pull together and your view will change to beautiful. Do you have any tile samples you could try now? If you put some up against the wall, you might feel better once you see how different it'll look when the rest of the design elements are in place.

Sabrina’s suggestion, above, is BEAUTIFUL! First, though,I would paint out your backsplash area in white. It will give you a better sense of the color of your stone and how it relates to your cabinets. Then....backsplash time!!! Let the fun begin!

I hate granite and still think yours is very pretty. It really looks great with your cabinets.

Sabrina got it right, with the glass tile in a light green, and agree with a poster above, paint the wall white/neutral first - that will help with a glass tile to show its true color. I think your countertop is beautiful and refreshingly different. Plus a good night's sleep helps a lot ;-) Take some photos in the daylight, and get some nice daylight bulbs in there also.

I was toying with the idea of stainless subways in your kitchen but maybe a bit too bright and modern for your kitchen. Anyway looks great! Keep us posted!

I absolutely think it’s a beautiful stone, and looks great with your cabinetry. I think without backsplash, it’s not showing it’s best. Once you get that done, I’ll bet you are really happy with your choice. Please post pics when finished.

You're wrong and we're right. It looks good, or at least it will once you've dealt with the naked wall.

I can't begin to tell you how many times there have been threads posted on Houzz that start out just like yours but like them, you are still in an unfinished stage and so each step that you are at tends to emphasize what has just been installed. Take your time in selecting the backsplash and you'll be very happy that this granite seduced you when you see your kitchen completed.

"You're wrong and we're right."

HAHA that made me smile!

The green glass tiles above are beautiful -- I do have some samples I'll pull back out again. It's the shine that I don't like, so far what I liked best was a matte subway in an ivory shade. But now that the counter's actually in I'll have to re-evaluate. The drywall will probably stay in it's current state for a least a bit, I need electrical work done (switches, outlets, maybe under cabinet lights) so he can bust up the drywall all he wants before I get it all patched up.

"It looks great, but you may want to try some stone enhancer on a scrap."

The stone has been sealed already, I did the water test in a couple spots and it passed with flying colors. It's too late to use an enhancer once it's sealed, right?

FYI, they make matte glass tiles, too. You don't have to get glossy ones. Fireclay makes some nice glass subway tiles in lots of colors.

I think it's beautiful! I have darker cabinets than yours and considered a greenish quartz (cannot remember which one) but I was outvoted by the rest of my family. I like my quartz but I wish I had stuck with my gut. I love the softness of the color with your cabinets and floor.

"FYI, they make matte glass tiles, too. You don't have to get glossy ones. Fireclay makes some nice glass subway tiles in lots of colors."

I did not know that, I thought they were all glossy - thanks!

Maybe the stress and aggravation of dealing with this particular fabricator is the root of what's making me doubt my choice and not the stone itself.

Yes! Please don’t take it out on that beautiful stone. 😑

Beautiful. Absolutely Beautiful.

Matte glass tiles will be perfect. The inspiration photo above from Sabrina made me want a green granite as well. We are all trying to tell you that it’s going to be fine, but right now you’re in the middle of it. Keep going! It’s already better, isn’t it?

Yes, it is MUCH better already :0) I spent some time in the kitchen yesterday evening and it hit me how lovely the granite really is while I was working in there. Putting stuff back in place helped, as did cleaning up the mess that was left. Except today I realized they didn't mount the dishwasher AAARGH! And he's still MIA with the ledge piece he owes me. Anyway, I did order some matte glass tiles from Fireclay last night on the above recommendation, they should be here within about a week.

@mxk3 z5b_MI so glad to hear you're beginning to see the beauty of the stone. So sorry to hear about the fabricator. Excited to see the tiles you selected and see the finished kitchen.

I love your kitchen choices.

What an odd coincidence that I chose to read this post with all the wise advice about not liking something because you're not used to it. I just told my DH that I really like our newly painted house exterior now, after a few weeks. I didn't like it at all at first, but each day it "grew" on me. It was because it was such a big change. Now I'm very pleased with it. So thanks, Houzzers, for the good advice about adjusting to new things. And mxk3, enjoy your beautiful kitchen!

@MXK3 Make sure your lighting is done before you make a backsplash tile choice! And, as you probably assumed, many of us are invested in making sure you’re happy with this important choice. :)

It took me about 6 months to get used to the color. I love it now - especially because it is different from everyone else’s.

Gorgeous!

If you want yet another opinion… - your stone is gorgeous! I’m no pro. I’m just telling you my first impression. Your cabinets are lovely too and with the granite it’s fresh looking and welcoming. I’m rather envious actually, lol, and am filing away this granite for future reference. You bucked the trends and fads, which can be very strong, and you pulled off a lovely space. Enjoy it!

Oh wow, someone resurrected this post from last fall!

HU-305309357: Your kitchen looks lovely, I think Costa looks best against white cabinets, the white really highlights the coloring of the stone.

I do have an update: I am still in the midst of the kitchen refresh, a few more things need to be done. My reclaimed wood island still hasn't arrived, and the floors are being re-finished in a darker stain later this fall. After that, just have to have the ceiling patched (lighting overhaul) and painted and finally done.

But here's a shot of the backsplash I chose. It is Pratt and Larson P210 on rustic field tile. Grout is Light Pewter (looks white in this shot but it is light grey):

ETA: I could kick myself for letting the electrician talk me out of putting the outlets low and horizontal. I wish I would have stuck to my guns on that. It had to do with the couple of 3-gang light switches I have, he thought it would look bad to have those horizontal. I've since seen pics of horizontal light switches. He was wrong. Sigh...

It’s simply beautiful! You did a great job. No one will focus on your electrical outlets …. that is not what others will see, even if it bothers you. They will see the overall beauty.

mxk3 - WOW!!! I LOVE that backspash tile with the counter! I see at one point you were talking about doing a white subway tile and I'm so glad you went with this color. I think it really makes your counter so attractive. Great job. I hope when everything is finished you will come back and post more photos!

Oh, and I think the outlets disappear into the tile.

I hope you are loving your CE granite these days. I have a similar kitchen to yours and I absolutely love mine! Still a work in progress for me but almost done.

These Costa Esmeralda kitchens are gorgeous! They are making me want to rip out my current granite and use this instead.