Do not feel stupid. You have every right to feel disappointed. Your KD should have understood what you wanted and should have been able to correct the drawing if it was not correct. I am not sure what you can do legally but I am offering moral support. I am sure others here will have plenty of good advise. Hang in there.
(((HUGS)))

You should have insisted on going to see them lay the template on the stone but that's water under the bridge now. I'm not sure you have any recourse now but you should let the fabricator know that you're really unhappy and see what he suggests.

Thanks ellendi, you're sweet. I left to come to work (to pay for all this!) I'm hoping when I get home it won't seem as bad. Elves maybe?

The drawing was fine; they just had the slab upside down from what I wanted when they cut it.

I just wanted to offer some support too - Last month when my Lapidus install occurred, my eye was constantly drawn to one piece that did not look right. I had gone through the trouble of going to the yard and placing the templates myself, and the piece I kept looking at WAS NOT the piece I templated. I told my husband, who told me to forget it (uh - NO), and then I told the installers, who commenced a flurry of phone calls in Spanish, discussing with the shop whether I was serious, could I possibly know if it was the same slab, could they get me to back down, etc. (of course, none of this was meant for my ears, but understanding Spanish was a real plus in this situation!).

Finally, it emerged that the cutting shop manager had broken the slab I templated and didn't think anyone would notice if he just cut a new piece. The shop was mortified and I went down there that afternoon to re-place my template on an additional slab in the series which thankfully they had available.

The moral - it IS fixable if you play your cards right, don't back down and there is an equivalent or close slab available.

Hugs and good luck,

Tired

I am so sorry about this. Why not post some photos? Then we could weigh in and give you either "It looks just fine! What a nice granite!" or, "Hey--you're right about the splotch, and they need to do the correct thing and compensate you for it." Either way, you'll have more ammo with which to make a decision.

The problem with "fixing" it is that then you have to deal with accidental damage when it's changed and things like that.

I laid out my window casings and thought the tile setters understood where to make the cuts, and they did it backwards. I could have been much clearer, and what was obvious to me about the color wasn't obvious to them. It bugged the heck out of me every time I went in there, until I was moved in and cooking. Now I hardly ever notice that it's not "right" even though it's one of the most visible things. It's just the way it is.

I'm sure it'll be that way for you in the end. That doesn't make it any better now. Now the best I can offer is a (((hug))).

So sorry! I have no idea what action you can take, but I can easily imagine how upset something like that would make me!

I hope it looks better than your first impression (hugs)!

Sorry to hear that. I would be very very angry.

That is why I have always recommended to SUPERVISE every step of this process. Make sure you are there for picking the slab, then for templating, then for taping the templates on the slab. You have to take photos are each step.
Then you have to be home for the install. I took 4 days off from work for each of those steps :) I know it is excessive but the risk is too high.

I suggest you complain. Unlikely they will fix it. So you should ask for a discount.

Also post photos, the granite may be gorgeous everywhere :)

Thanks everyone. Yes, weissman I am kicking myself for not insisting on seeing the template on the stone.

Hope this link works. Here is a link to the phone photos I sent the designer.

https://cid-6896a6d995925a89.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/counters?Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos

hi lisa..

So sorry to read this. I agree with pharaoh. I think you should complain and let them know that you're are not a satisfied customer. If they don't offer you anything to satisfy you, then I think you should make suggestions to them, starting with replacing it with a slab of your choice. If they won't do that then ask for the discount. What do you have to lose?? Good Luck! We are all rooting for you!

KA:)

Can't see the pictures. Is there another way to link them?

Can someone post these pics in a message so those of us who aren't members can see them? thanks.

Sorry -- thought anyone could see that link. I changed permissions, maybe try it again? I can't seem to copy and paste in here. You guys are great, btw.

http://cid-6896a6d995925a89.photos.live.com/play.aspx/counters?Bsrc=EMSHOO&Bpub=SN.Notifications

Hi again lisa...

I just want to say that I was expecting to see something awful...But Dang! I think it looks beautiful! I really mean it! I am so sorrry that you don't feel the same way...I see the dark spot, but it isn't very large and I don't think it's ugly at all. Bianco Romano is one of my favorite types of granite and I would have jumped on using it but it didn't look right with my cabinets.

Sincerely, I think it looks nice, but it's your kitchen and I hope that it works out to your loving it!

KA:)

Thanks kitchenaddict! I read your posting on the subway home and it gave me hope! Now that I am here in the evening light I have decided that it is a pretty stone, black splotches notwithstanding. If it had been done properly it would have been really special, but I think I can live with just a pretty stone. There are many other things about my new kitchen I love so just liking the granite is okay. In fact, a plus side is I won't fuss over it the way I might have (old kitchen had laminate). Mostly I am tired and want it over now and I am so glad I am not one of those guys in the mine in Chile.

That does not make me a satisfied customer though so I will pursue this with the stone guy, especially since I wanted to check the template and he said no. I paid him through the KD, and I assume he wants future business from her, so hopefully she'll be an advocate for me on this. I'll post a conclusion. And pics of the kitchen after the range gets in later this week.

lisakitch, everyone scrutinizes every little detail as it is happening in a kit remodel. Consequently lots of upsets. I am sorry it wasn't templated/frabicated exactly the way you wanted it (though it looks beautiful) I can almost guarantee when the kit is finished and you enjoy using the new space you will not even notice anymore.

Thanks eandhl, and all of you. Hopefully my perspective (sanity?) will return soon! Thanks for being there and taking the time to respond!

It looks great and when finished it will be an amazing kitchen. Good for you to follow through on this. We will all be keeping our fingers crossed! Keep us posted.

I agree -- I think your granite looks beautiful. I would never notice the black marks as standing out in a bad way -- I think they add depth and dimension to the granite. I still think you should discuss it with your fabricator since you were very explicit and they didn't do what you wanted. Nonetheless, beautiful granite!

I understand what you are talking about. It is certainly not as bad as some I've seen; not really what I would call a "bad" install. It's unlikely that anyone else will ever notice. But I know you will. And I would. And after spending so much $$$ it is disheartening.

I would pursue it with the granite fabricators and the KD firm, and see what they say.

I can see what you mean from the pictures, that you would have liked the more uniform end on the opposite side. However, I don't think it's unacceptble to require a total tear out. I think the black spots add a little bit of character, and natural stone definitely has that. It's all gorgeous!

You may want to talk to them about a discount for their error in templating.

I am a disaster when it comes to this computer stuff and I don't even know how to add a link properly, but if you follow this I hope you can find the Ten Commandments of Kitchen Remodeling that I posted a few weeks back. Today was day one of my tear down and I will tell you I am having a difficult time keeping these rules in mind as I take in the mess I am living in tonight, Anyway, hope this post helps to keep things in perspective. Now I'm off to continue tearing my hair out....

ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg072021238476.html?...

I think the stone is lovely and see what you mean about the part that is now by the sink.
I am glad it does not seem so bad to you now, but do not for a second let the granite people know you have had a change of heart. What they did was wrong and your kd shares some of the blame (a smaller part). I would expect a KD to be my advocate, esp since they did not allow you to come for the templating. You deserve a new counter (less likely) or perhaps a decent discount which is big enough to make up for it, yet still saves them money for a full re-do. I think if you end up keeping this counter, you will love it and appreciate it more as time goes on.

I think it looks very nice and only a tko like any one of us would have even known we had a choice about how to lay out the pattern. Since you had made it clear that you wanted input, they now owe you for the "screw-up". If you had not stated a preference or had not bothered to try to double check, then I'd say it was half your fault for not being diligent.

You would think that common sense would be to lay the more interesting part in full view as the reason one picks stone is for its natural beauty. A talented fabricator would have known how to best do it.

It looks just lovely! If I was in your shoes, I would tactfully explain the situation to the kitchen designer. They have more leeway than a customer with their fabricators. Schmooze his pants off, then maybe he can use his pull (and profit) to make some concession. If a redo is not in the discussion, maybe there are other areas of your job he can 'make it up to you'? Any discount at all in form of cash or goods would be a display of good faith on his part. That could help ease your dissatisfaction. Sometimes, these things have a way of turning around - turn your frown upside down! Your rock is rockin'! A happy customer is a repeat customer and their friends are potential customers too.

"but do not for a second let the granite people know you have had a change of heart. What they did was wrong and your kd shares some of the blame (a smaller part). I would expect a KD to be my advocate, esp since they did not allow you to come for the templating."

I so agree with this! let them continue to think it is horrible and has ruined your whole counter top.

Shame on them for telling you not to come there to template it. that's THEIR problem. maybe, just maybe you can make it cost them enough they'll think twice before saying that to another customer! and that KD will in the future INSIST that the client be there for it!

these people are ridiculous. they can't possibly believe that this does not matter. if so, they need to go out of business immediately!

I can't right off think of any job they'd be qualified for. maybe night janitor? they shouldn't be allowed to work with the public anyway.

I agree with gsciencechick, I see what you are talking about, but I also think it is beautiful in general. Ask for a discount since they made a mistake and also encouraged you NOT to come to the shop. If you get any mula, spend it on something beautiful (like a nice cutting block or decorative tray) to place in your kitchen. I look forward to pictures of your whole kitchen. Hang in there...don't think it needs to be replaced...it is a beautiful piece.

I find the granite to be so beautiful the way it is but it would have been amazingly gorgeous the way you had planned it to be installed. I would do some complaining to get a discount to help you feel better about accepting the new layout. Thanks for sharing.

If I didn't know the back story, I wouldn't know! It looks GREAT!

I so understand the frustration you are feeling. We just finished up a couple of months ago (haven't posted finish pics yet because of KITCHEN FATIGUE) but when things go wrong in the moment, it just seems so awful.

I know that you had a grand master plan and were meticulous and other people's careless errors are almost unforgivable, *but* it's going to be okay. I promise.

On my remodel, my kd talked me into creamy white instead of bright white cabs. Deep down inside I hate the creamy cabs, but still, I realize they look good (if I don't think about their creaminess).

The guys installing my cabs, who were great all around...well, I don't think they ever worked with painteds before and did lots of dings, scratches and nicks during install. I needed to take many many deep breaths there.

The counter reveal around my farm sink is off on one side, despite me pointing out to the templater that the sink was installed, not going any where and was off an 1/8th of an inch and he would have to correct that with the templating.

I don't have the overhang I wanted and spent years thinking about on the countertop because I had morningsickness when the templater was here and just couldn't deal/be bothered.

Some tiles are crooked.

I hate the paint color on my walls but it went up so quickly there was no time to contemplate it.

I was supposed to have marble for a table top. They didn't have enough material. I picked out a slab of granite. It got cracked as it was being loaded to deliver. I picked out another slab from what was available. It has brown in it. I hate brown in stone.

I have more, but why bore you.

My advice about your beautiful beautiful counters is to take a little vacation, visit some friends' houses (chances are their kitchen will not come close to function and glamour as yours) and come back to your house. You will love your kitchen more than ever and probably have forgotten about the countertop thing.

Okay, maybe my advice sucks. But I do want to say I feel your pain and I *promise* you will feel at least 60% better about it in a month or so.

IT LOOKS GREAT!

The part by the sink is the nicest area on that slab. I would be very upset that I didn't get what I wanted and had requested. Hoping they will install another identical slab for you so you can truly enjoy your kitchen. Don't back down!! If you decide to accept this, you should get some kind of discount. Good luck!

On the positive side, if it doesn't get changed: the bigger open portion of the peninsula is where things are going to get set/worked on/dumped, therefore that's the part that will be covered up the most often - whereas the area around the sink will generally remain clear of items and you'll always see the most lovely bits. :-)

Attygirl -- good luck to you!!! Those commandments are fabulous. Wish I'd had them to refer to earlier in the process.

circuspeanut (great name, btw) thanks for another upside view. Washing up and putting things in the trash will always offer a special thrill.

Update is that KD says she understands and feels badly and will work out compensation. I think she realizes she could have prevented this outcome. Granite guy doesn't even acknowledge that he botched it, so even if she manages to get him to give me a discount I will steer people away. In the meantime, I have bonded with my stone, which I consider wounded yet dignified. Clearly, I need this all to end soon!

I, think your granite is really pretty, but you, will always be disappointed that they did not cut it right. I, agree with desertsteph, stand your, ground, make them fix it so you, will be happy not them. It cost you, alot and you, should be happy.

I can't view the sink photos on my Mac, but I see the little sample photo of the island. What a gorgeous stone!! But I completely understand that you are upset. I would be too! And I understand your guilt at feeling upset, given all the "real" tragedies in the world. At the same time that I discovered damage in my new counter, a friend had a late term miscarriage. I kept thinking, how can I be upset about a counter?

Stone counters are forms of kitchen ART! If you saw 2 similar paintings, but one had a splotch, you wouldn't buy the splotched one.

I know what it is like to be exhausted, and just want to let errors like this go. But in my own experience, the "unfortunate" portion of my counter has been a little sad spot in my heart for 2 years. Sure, life goes on, and I love my counters. But at least weekly, I look at it and think, "darn it all. It could have been so perfect."

I very much hope it works out for you!

:-)

francy

Looking at your pics, it was immediately obvious to me why you would have wanted the current sink piece on your island. The veining is gorgeous in that piece! That being said, the piece on the island has it's own quiet beauty. Not as dramatic, but just as beautiful. If I were you, I would definitely work with the KD to get the fabricators replace your counters. In reality, I think this is a longshot, but they should at least give you a price break. Your KD also bears some responsibility and should be trying to make it up to you in other areas if the fabricators won't.

When all is said and done, my heart goes out to you because I know you have been sooooo careful in your choices and attentive to every detail. Hugs and supportive thoughts are coming your way!