Amazing!! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it. Used the Connoisseur's Silver Cleaner, poured a "puddle" of it directly on the (quite sizeable) bleach stain, placed a couple of Viva paper towels on its, and within a minute or two the yellow-orange stain was gone. I had thought, for sure, that I would have to replace the entire vanity countertop. Kudos, Imriedel. Take a bow!! ;-) OOPS! Please be sure to carefully read the label on the silver polish/cleaner. While cleaning the discolored countertop, some of the solution got on the stainless steel trim around the sink, and left a dark gray discoloration on the trim. Not terrible, but be careful not to splash any solution on the stainless steel! Yesterday, I had to touch up a small bleach-stained area on the countertop, near the steel trim, I applied the solution, gently, with an old toothbrush, and that worked perfectly!

Our outlets are laid out horizontally and yes the back splash is a continuation of the counter top material. I have also seen people use the same tile back splash that they used throughout their kitchen. We are renovating our island to remove the bar height portion - have you considered keeping is all one level? It will look more open if it's one level and you'll have more usable counter top space, stools won't have to be so high... just a thought.

I think wait until the counters are in then choose the BS Seeing anything in someone elses home is IMO never helpful unless they have the exact sme home, coors , lighting etc all of those things affcet colors. I find mizing whites can be very hard to get right and I think a nce gray tile for the BS would be a great choice since i think you have enogh whites in the space . There are tons of pics of the granite but until your slab is in your space you do not choose BS. BTW make sure all your lighting is LED 4000K too or the whites will take on a yellow hue.

How rare to see a post about countertops where the comments are not "wow, your job is F'ed up, rip it out, hire someone new." If these eagle eyed harsh critics are telling you that it looks good, I'd consider your kitchen to have passed with flying colors. I would not want drawers flush with countertop. Though, I am surprised this conversation was not had a some point with your designer, fabricator, installer around what to do here.