I am having a terrible time trying to choose a countertop. The problem is, I am not crazy about granite, and that's what everyone is trying to sell. What's wrong with me? According to every HGTV show, I'll never be able to sell my house without it! :) But I find granite to be dark, busy and cold. My kitchen is on the smaller side. It's a galley kitchen. It's almost all white with accents of navy blue. Think cottage style meets Ralph Lauren. The blue is in the upholstered window seats-- piped in white. The kitchen is a far cry from the big model homes, but our house is old and the kitchen suits its character. Although it's white, it still feels warm and cozy and the warm lighting helps a lot with this. The appliances are also white (not stainless...). Anywho...the floors are a pretty honey wood, the cabinets are professionally painted white with nickel knobs. My current countertop is white, and it's a cheap laminate that has lasted 20 years---raising 3 kids and a husband. And we did not baby it at all. I have Clorox sprayed the heck out of it. We have colored Easter eggs on it and God-knows what other messes we have made, and it always comes clean. It is just now showing it's wear and that's why I'm replacing it. I think I want another white countertop. I'm not afraid of doing laminate again, but when I say that to kitchen salespeople, they look at me like I need medication. (...and perhaps I do!) I don't want the EXACT same thing. I'd like it a little bit updated. But what is that?? Help. My countertops now have a matte finish. There is a super-shiny white forminca out there that would be different. Does anyone know about that? Does the shine wear off? Would it be TOO shiny for a kitchen..like WHOA, in the morning? I've gone on WAY too long, but I just want to know what other people do for countertops when they want to keep the look of their bascially-white kichen. Many thanks! Pictures and links so very much appreciated!

PS I like warmer colors and so not really thrilled with lots of gray, especially in backsplash. I'm also considering Caesarstone Cashmere Carrara.

I am a fabricator. If the fabricator has to buy slabs specifically for your job then whatever is left over is waste you pay for. Slabs are typically 55 -65 sq. ft. and many kitchens fall into the 50 - 75 sq. ft. range so more than one slab is needed. Your best opportunity for the lowest price is working with a fabricator that stocks a color you want as he can use one full slab plus a partial slab as the leftover material goes back into his inventory for the next job. Given the preceding it is still to you advantage to shop different fabricators as pricing can vary significantly from shop to shop. The fabricators that sell only a single brand will almost always be the highest price per sq. ft.

Our painter has done many homes' cabinets. They use a semi-gloss and it looks great. Just not sure how long-lasting it will be. (We will probably sell in 5 years.). The veining on the Botanica is pretty light. The older version of it - when it was made in China - was much darker.