Hi Redroze...it's Medallion cabinetry, espresso. Medallion really does a nice finish. My smaller bath was a custom stain and didn't come out as nice as this. The color on my screen is a bit more red than in person. I'm trying to post a picture of the edge detail close up for you. You can't tell it's a laminate edge. I think you will be happy with a laminate build up (again, I've not heard that term...I use the term 2cm ogee edge...but you Canadians talk funny...(..and you know I'm kidding...of course!)

I first saw leathered granite about 4 or 5 years ago in a parade home. Instantly fell in love with it! Your choice of granite and finish is absolutely beautiful! Monica

Thank you pllog! According to my admittedly limited research, white subway tiles were primarily what was used during 1913 (not colored tiles just yet), or else white or cream-colored wainscoting. I know the colorful tile was used on fireplace faces though, as is the case on ours - but I think the whole sterile kitchen and bathroom look was going on in 1913 (?). I know my house originally had it cause not only is 2x6 white subway tile in the original bathroom upstairs, but the previous owners, who I am friends with, remember it having been in the house at one time. The previous owner now in her 80's moved in with her parents in the '40's when she was a teenager. There was only one family that lived in the house before them, which is kind of neat to know. I'd love to find out more about them someday if possible. All that said, if I had the time further to obsess (I'm already taking LOADS of time away from my kids to obsess over every detail that I am already!), and the eye/confidence/creativity, or a designer, and the money, I'd do something much more fun and much more "me" in a NY heartbeat. But alas, I don't. Maybe someday. The following cut/paste link is to absolutely inspiring backsplashes, which you'd probably love: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ It would be impossible for me to do if the tile were to get up to $100/SF. How did you come up w/ that calculation? Oh dear - I'd better do the math again! I was told that by going to a fabricator with big machinery, it wouldn't take that long at all for a back splash my size - but that was just one person who said that; he could have been wrong. One consideration for a backup plan for me has been white or off-white minibrick. I think with a non-matching grout - e.g. a noncommittal but darker sand color (sand having both tan and grey in it?), all those little lines would be more interesting w/ the stainless than the bigger subway tile (or, maybe that would also be the case w/ standard 2x6 tile w/ darker grout?). I wish I could find the link I've lost to ceramic minibrick (if that's the word for it) that's attractive to me. I imagine they didn't have that size in 1913 though (does anyone know?) but it's still a nice classic look. If I find it on my other computer I'll post it! I've looked at Thassos which does seem too white. The in-person samples of calcutta are too grey from a distance (I don't want it to match my stainless counter so precisely) but yes I have time to keep looking. I also still pine for the Walker Zanger lightly crackled and glazed 2x6 tile I was all excited about when I thought I would do a honed black counter. haven't ruled that out completely, but it's $25/SF. Thanks!

Yes, I echo the real reviews above about Compac. We made the huge mistake of choosing this product. Looks over quality. We had the countertop installed in a NYC condo where only two adults live part-time and kitchen is used occasionally. The main slab where the sink is installed started chipping from the beginning and just kept on chipping on the edges everywhere with just the slightest contact with dishes. I was stunned. We have a second home with granite from the 1990s that was heavily used by families over the years and not a single ding, chip anywhere. The amount of chipping is just not normal. I have lived in many places with various countertop materials and never had any issues like this. The installer and Compac would not stand behind the product and said chips are your own fault. So when you see them respond in these threads, in our case, I can attest, it is simply pretending online to want to help. We made this mistake. I caution you not to make the same mistake. It is a very soft, chip prone product. Go with something harder. These are some big chips. Tried to fill, but Compac keeps on chipping.