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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Help me choose between Fantasy Brown Marble and Astoria Granite!

last year

last modified: last year

I've fallen hard for Fantasy Brown! I know it is in the marble family and therefore requires more care so I've been searching for granite that gives me the same feeling as FB. The only one that I've liked in pictures is Astoria granite. I've seen 2 FB slabs in person but I haven't seen Astoria yet. I'm also considering leathered for FB but I haven't felt it yet.

Here are live inventory pics and one that I took today with my cabinet door sample.

Which would you choose? Should I go with the swirly or lined Fantasy Brown? Polished or Leathered?

New Kitchen Details:

White Cabinets (see pic #6 for cabinet door sample)
Oak wood floors (haven't picked the stain color yet)
Stainless steel appliances
I prefer more brown/beige than grays in the stone

Featured Answer

megs1030

last year

I would ask for a sample of the stone. Test it with lemon, oil, ketchup / tomatoes, wine, etc. See what really stains it. You honestly should not need a crazy expensive sealer and I agree that I would not want something that provides a thick coating. A basic natural stone sealer should do the trick. You can do it yourself, takes about an hour, most of which is just drying time between applications. Wipe up any drips or spills as quickly as possible and your stone should be just fine.

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Comments (9)

clt3
last year
We’re replacing our 19 year old dorado vincenza granite with fantasy brown. We’ve been told there’s a new sealing product that they guarantee or they will replace it if damaged. Our contractor (friend) told us about it but didn’t tell us the name. He said it’s $400 for up to 75 square feet.
Wendy A thanked clt3
Wendy A
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@clt3 If you find out the name of the sealant please let me know!! Thanks. Are you getting Polished or Leathered Fantasy Brown?
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Hi Julie, I love the idea of mixing and if you can do it, Go for it. Cream is one of those granite types that can be hard to find. I think it depeneds on where you are if you can find granite in short time. If you are in a large Metro area like Boston, NYC (NJ), Miami, Chicago, Philly... you should be able to find a large Granite Warehouse to be able to choose your slabs. Perhaps your installer/fabricator can direct you. Meanwhile here are some images. I hope they help you visulize. ~boxer I tried to find images with a mix of cabs and granite. Not all are maple nor the same stain but at least you can see it can be done nicely. Luxury Kitchen New Hampshire Drury Dallas Design INC. Winner Kitchen This is quartz but notice the combination of colors you can do this with granite too. Granite Ideas... Antique Brown Granite Crema Valencia Colonial Cream Golden River Granite Raw Silk Granite Raja Yellow Gibli
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HU-427774320, Fantasy Brown is NOT granite. It's actually marble. From what I can tell, yes Ocean Beige is just another name that someone came up with. Same stone - MARBLE. It is one of the less "persnickety" marbles though. It certainly WILL etch, so be aware of that. If you get it leathered, it will hold up even better. Read the rest of the thread and do some research.
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Your floor choice is really nice, very neutral. No, my hardwood floor does not have a cherry tone to it. It really is more like a deep brown. it's by Shaw and is called Hazelnut. Even though my island and peninsula is made from cherry the color is called "saddle" and it's also in the brown family color. It's alittle lighter than the floor. I was really torn between using a tile like yours our going with hardwood. But, I went with the hardwood because it blended with the rest of the house better. So far, you have done a great job with your choices - go w/your gut. If you love that Mascarello which I think the tones go very nice with your cabs & floor - go for it...
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Watch out for trying to mix cool grays with warm oak. Small amounts work OK. A gray backsplash would have gone with my countertops - but would have been drab with my warm wood. Warm wood tones and cool grays do not bring out the best in each other which is why the gray is usually paired with white. Gray is a bit overused right now which means it risks being labeled "dated" in the next 10 years though it will always be an important neutral - like cream and beige. Go ahead and try it in wall color that can be easily changed but be careful of using too much in more permanent surfaces. The grays in your countertop read warm which is why it is working with your cabinets. Consider your wall color last as it is the least permanent surface and easy to change.
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megs1030
last year
I prefer the FB over the granite with your cabinets.
Wendy A thanked megs1030
clt3
last year
@ Wendy A. Leathered.
cheri127
last year
Ask to see a sample of the sealed stone. Our fabricator sold us on an impenetrable sealer and it feels like the stone is coated with a resin. The stone is colonial white granite. I think it defeats the purpose of marble if it ends up feeling like plastic.
Wendy A thanked cheri127
Wendy A
Original Author
last year
@cheri127 That's a good point. I will definitely ask about the sealer.
Wendy A
Original Author
last year
@meg1030 One place gave me a sample and I tested it overnight with lemon juice, olive oil, pasta sauce, and coffee. No stains or etching!! :) But it did scratch when I used a sharp knife. The other place didn't have any samples. :( Which worries me because I know each slab can behave differently. WHY does renovating have to be so difficult! Everything requires 10 steps! Sorry, I'm just feeling overwhelmed and the demo doesn't even start until mid-March!
cheri127
last year
I wouldn't worry too much about scratches. We have soapstone counters in out primary home and the scratches are no big deal. It's patina. With fantasy brown, you'll never really see them.
Wendy A thanked cheri127

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