Actually, there's a post on the kitchen forum with the same topic right now. They're discussing quartz vs granite and someone mentioned that they've gotten hair dye on the Silestone and didn't notice it right away and that it wiped off with no problem several hours later. Link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen forum granite vs quartz cage match

I am so confused and frazzled. Every time I think I have a handle on this durability and non porous thing, I choose a stone and after research find so many things potentially wrong with it. I saw a beautiful slab of Macaubus Fantasy, but have since seen mention that it will stain. I need something that is fairly indestructible. I live near the beach and have lots of company, but I am often away for a week at a time and not around to keep wiping the countertops. Even if I am home, I don't want to baby a countertop that will never grow up. Which of these stones should I stay away from and which are definitely good? Macaubus Fantasy "Quartzite" Allure Quartzite (does practicality increase/decrease if it's leathered?) River Blue Granite Or are my only sure choices Taj Mahal or Sea Pearl? I'd appreciate any feedback

Amazon has silicone pastry mats that are in the 2'x3' range. Some are couple inches shy of that, others pretty close. Mine is more like 25"x18", but big enough. I haven't seen a bigger one, but you might be able to get cut to order. You can't use sharp knives on it, but your pastry wheel ought to be fine, especially if you have a light hand. I use metal cookie and biscuit cutters without damaging my mat. There's also the preindustrial version--linen impregnated with a ton of flour. I always used to roll pie/pasta on one before I learned some newfangled tricks. If you don't need the thermal mass of the counter to keep your dough cold, you can also just go back to the old fashioned baking board. There are still things I prefer to make that way. Sealed or not, oil can get into the surface of stone and show, especially if the stone is light. There are "poultices" which can draw the oil back out, but that's a lot of work and no guaranties. It may also go away gradually through use and cleaning. May. Real quartzite isn't as oil-sucky-up as marble, from what I"ve heard, but why tempt fate if a beautifully even look is important to you? Using a cloth or board also makes cleanup easier. :)

Kristi, if you live in Calif you have a boat load of legal help from the contractors state board. There's a specific way about going about it though that's allot quicker. Otherwise it can be painfully slow. The strategy if available. Does he have a bond? Liability insurance? If yes to any of the above. Stop the project. As soon as you say I don't feel comfortable doing business with you legally he has to stop. Business and professions code. My gut is telling me a permit was not pulled, unless you live in the hills of Tennessee I think every city requires one. Although your outlet has a GFCI at it's current height it's problematic. I don't want you to be alarmed. Everything you've shown can be easily remedied to how it should be. As far as the die lot of tile. Lol drama okay. It's white you'll find a perfect match. Do yourself the favor, rid yourself of the aggravation by having to point out the obvious wrongs. My greater concern, those things in which you can't see. Really hope you're in Cali. Tons of resources.