My countertops are solid surface that isn't as thick as Corian, but is the same kind of material. It may be a local name because when I google it, the fabricator I used is the only one that comes up under that name. I used this material because they had a blue that I liked . . . I didn't really like the Corian blues, and in my color scheme -- cream cabinets, yellow walls, blue counters -- it was important to me to get the blue color right. My integrated sink is a lighter blue, speckled. The integrated sink is one of the things I like best . . . absolutely NO place for yucch to collect. It almost never looks dirty, but when it gets stained, a quick swish with soft scrub does the job. To solve the problem of not being able to set hot pans on the countertop, I had the area next to the stove inset with tile the same color as the cabinets. I also have one long serving counter done in the same tile so the area by the stove doesn't look out of place. It has worked perfectly . . . I'm thinking my next kitchen will have the same thing. I've liked my solid surface counters a lot. My make-up table is the same product in matte white. I get lipstick and other makeup on it regularly, and just soft-scrub and it comes off. You know the pitfalls -- you may be cleaning more often -- but if you love the look, it will be worth it.

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for your input. @ aloha - I agree with you 100% on Glacier White for a more modern kitchen. Since I'm going for a more traditional look, I am afraid of a potential mistep by using white. @ happylady and writersblock - I got a quote for rain cloud at lowes, but the price difference was pretty minimal (less than $100), so I'll probably go with the local design studio if I choose rain cloud. I didn't get a quote on the other brands, but they were all pretty close in price to the corian. Since our kitchen is only 24 sq ft of counters, a few dollars per sq ft doesn't make a big impact. @pricklypearcactus - thanks for your input about the sinks. I am not wild about integrated, but didn't know what everyone else thinks. @ idrive - Do you have any pictures of your counters with undermount ss? I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures. Hopefully I can get a few pictures tonight when I get home. Maybe if you see the current space, you may have additional thoughts.

Are those going to be slab fronts?

Hi island. Our banquette was built (several years ago) by the same guy who did our cabinets. There is no back on it ... just loose pillows, which we sort of toss around depending on how many people are actually sitting on it. It does have storage. There are sliding doors on the long front of it (this is not easy storage to access but it's for the cookbooks I pull out once a year, etc.) and a "morgue" drawer that comes out from the end (where we keep all the dog leashes, collars, etc. Super handy storage!). I will take some measurements tonight or tomorrow for you, but I recall that the seat is about 19" tall after the cushion is on. I made the cushion extra thick, 4 inches, and raised it up a little because I prefer to sit a little higher at a table. The chairs came with the house and I sort of painted them on a whim. I used Annie Sloan's chalk paint, which was OK, although I'm not sure it was any better than any other kind of paint, other than not having to prime them first. They do seem to be wearing well though. Hope that helps for now. More to follow.