My opinion for what its worth...go with what you love. I worried about a too busy granite for my bathroom remodel, but 2 years later I still stare at its beauty. Also keep in mind that looking at a large slab sitting vertical might be a bit more in-your-face than when you cut it down to cabinet depth horizontal sections. Unless you have a very large island, or plan to use the granite for you back splash as well, it may not be as overpowering as you think. (And don't you just hate not being able to use an entire slab?)

Jon

Life is too short for boring granite (not saying the TB is, but it sounds like the other is more exciting).
Of course, pix always help.....

Thanks!
You are right! It is just such a huge change going from boring, dull "track house, beige tile countertops" that we had to live with for so long, take or leave, no questions asked! I'm having a hard time uploading pics since mine seem to be too big. I'll keep trying to minimize the files.

OK, I have a pic. Here's a slice of the granite with my new drawer. Does it look too bold?

Here is a link that might be useful: Mascarello with my Drawer

I think the colors work very well with the wood, glaze and hardware.
Do you have a pic of the other one too? Just curious....

It may be that what is locally in the yard is a quieter version of what can be wilder. I know we went to look at slabs of what we had picked 3 years ago, and the colors and movement are very different in the current batch, despite it being the same yard and same stone.

I think the Mascarello looks great with your cabinet color and finish. I love granite with lots of movement, so I don't think the Mascarello is too busy.

You didn't say if you have already picked out your back splash - a busy granite with a busy back splash may be a bit much.

Jon

Yeah, I've come a long way...now the Typhoon Bordeau is looking kinda mellow to me...here is a pic of the slab...the sun was bright, but you can see it is a really pretty stone too! Wonder why I am so confused?

Here is a link that might be useful: Typhoon Bordeau Slab with my Drawer

Now I am confused too because both look so nice with your door. I think the M is more unexpected, so I still give it a slight edge.

I agree that you would need to keep the backsplash mellow.

So here's a pic of the big slab I found of Mascarello...you can barely see a sliver of my drawer at the bottom so it's hard to tell how it works together from the pic. I was told it is an unusual design for Mascarello. So far, I am hearing a lot of pro Mascarello & I really appreciate it! Does this picture help?

Here is a link that might be useful: Mascarello Slab with a tiny edge of my drawer

I think you should close your eyes, open and look at each slab and check your feelings. If you feel "wow, I love it" then go with that one. I looked and looked and looked and finally got that feeling and couldn't be budged from my coice after that.

So, if you like hearing "pro M", that means that was what you were hoping to hear, therefore, that is your stone! Simple ;)

I just love that mascarello and I love your cabinets too. The mascarello also looks like it has some nice chunks of a grey tone which will look fab with stainless if you have it. Your kitchen will be beautiful either way. Have no fear.

Mascarello - no doubt about it! It is so beautiful with your cabinets. Enjoy!

They are both stunning, but Mascarello would be my pick!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you everyone! This forum is awesome! I have definitely been overthinking this! (I've never had granite before!) I need to make my decision by tomorrow & I am just about ready to take the plunge. I do have stainless appliances & I think you are right that Mascarella will help tie it all in. Actually, after all this, the plywood countertops are starting to grow on me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plywood Countertops with my new cabinets

Another vote for the beautiful Mascarello.

I love both granites but I like the Mascarello Granite a little bit better with your cabinets and hardware, along with the stainless steel appliances.

I, personally, much prefer TB as a granite, but the Mascarello looks good with your cabs. Go with your gut!

I think the Mascarello is the one! The TB to me just looks likes it's the same color as your cabinets with no contrast, where the M has something else going on but does have your cabinet shade in it. Lovely!
BTW, what color ARE your cabinets? I love it!!

If given the choice between your two slabs I would say the Mascarello also-- YOur slab of TB doesn't have quite as much movement as other's I had seen and I think the Masc. would look great! That was your initial reaction so I say go for what you LOVE!! Congrats on finding your granite!! Huge obstacle overcome!!

Thanks again everyone...my hourglass is running out of time before I MUST choose or risk losing both! My cabinets are simply called Glazed Maple. They are similar to Kraftmaid piermont honey glazed maple. I got them at a Builder's Surplus place. They have the pull outs & all the other cool options. It was a great deal & they have just about everything in stock. I labored over that decision too, but I really do love them now! I am sure learning a lot!

I think I'd choose the TB over that slab of Mascarello which has less gold in it than others I have seen. Of course, that's just how it appears on my monitor-colors could appear different in real life. (I'd pair that particular Mascarello slab with white cabinets.) The TB won't appear as "mellow" when it's installed. The pattern will appear larger when it's counter width and the difference in the color patches will be accentuated. If you open up your pictures in a new window-then decrease the window side to half a slab wide, you'll see what I mean. When the Mascarello is templated, you may get a stretch that has little gold in it to "tie"it to the cabinets. But if you're looking for an edgier look-the Mascarello is the way to go.

I think they both look wonderful...the Typhoon is the safer choice, but I really like the energy in the Mascarello and then would accent the kitchen with black counter stools, etc. Great choices, you can't go wrong with either.

hi windy..

I'm a big fan of TB and I thought that would be my vote...but after seeing the Mascarello with your cabinets I say go with that...It looks really nice!

KA:)

What color is your floor? I am trying to decide between 2 or 3 different granites and I put the color of my floor into the equation.

My floor will be dark hardwood, maple painted/glazed perimeter cabs, cherry/brown island and peninsula.

I need to decide if I want a blended look by choosing a light granite or a bold look by going with a dark granite.

Hi Jeannie01.
My floor is Marazzi Cortina Porcelain Tile. It is quite neutral. My cabs are maple, but they actually look similar in color to my light cherry dining room furniture. Does your dark hardwood have a cherry tone to it? What granites are you considering? Got any pics? Windy :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Marazzi Cortina Floor with my new cabinets

Mascarello--definitely!! Your kitchen is going to be heart stoppingly beautiful!

"Actually, after all this, the plywood countertops are starting to grow on me." lol

If you go with the TB, your kitchen will be too monochromatic-gold. It's pretty, but won't be the punch you're looking for. If you hate the M when it's installed, you may need to adjust your wall color. (Which I do love--it's in my kitchen/den/hall.

Go with the Mascarello.

I too think the Mascarello... Have you made your choice yet?

The final hour is near & I seem to be visualizing Mascarello a lot. Did I mention that I also found a remnant that would be the PERFECT size for my island? It is really vibrant & would save me having to buy another whole slab.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mascarello Remnant Perfect Size for my Island

Your floor choice is really nice, very neutral.

No, my hardwood floor does not have a cherry tone to it. It really is more like a deep brown. it's by Shaw and is called Hazelnut.
Even though my island and peninsula is made from cherry the color is called "saddle" and it's also in the brown family color. It's alittle lighter than the floor.

I was really torn between using a tile like yours our going with hardwood. But, I went with the hardwood because it blended with the rest of the house better.

So far, you have done a great job with your choices - go w/your gut. If you love that Mascarello which I think the tones go very nice with your cabs & floor - go for it...

I vote MASCARELLO! Rah, Rah, Rah! :)

Barely slept a minute last night...visions of Mascarello & Typhoon Bordeau dancing in my head! But now, thanks to all of you, it is really exciting instead of frightening! :)

Mascarello!!!!!!!!!!!

Go with the Mascarello. It will look great with your cabinets and SS appliances, you found a remnant for your island to save $, and, most importantly, it sounds like that is the stone that makes your heart sing. The gray sections will be nice contrast for your cabinets, while the TB is very golden.

I have seen installations of TB that I love, but that particular slab is pretty subdued.

I am putting in White Shaker cabinets in a small beach cottage and was going towards Ivory Fantasy for a subtle beachy look, but also like Typhoon Bordeax with its bolder blue and yellow colors of sand and sea. Just don't know if TB would be too much?