I probably know less than you about granite but I'm just researching that now for my renovation. Just at the first look at your photo, IMO, the "Blob" looks like a flaw. I wouldn't want that. However, I certainly believe in the saying "to each his own" so if you love that blob, then you should have it. Good luck on picking your granite (I do like the S.Cecelia by the way).

I don't know whether the white spot indicates a weakness but I know where you're coming from regarding whether to highlight a blob, or to pass on the slab.

In my case we were looking at consecutive slabs, each of which had a diagonal steely blue line running a third of the way across each slab.

We chose to have the line running through our island prep sink and used it in limited ways on other counter tops:

Part of the line pointing in, toward the rangetop (sorry it's blurred):

We were toying with the idea of making it even more prominent on the island but thought it would be too busy or distracting near the framed tile above the rangetop.

btw, if you like that slab and decide not to use the blob, you could probably use that slab and have the sink cut-out where the blob is. Your fabricator would have to work it out. Good luck!

Thanks Rosalita. You're right and I do think it looks like a flaw in the stone; I guess I was just trying to find something interesting in what seems to be some uninteresting choices in my price group. Maybe I'm just spending too much time looking at granite as I've gone from being really enthused to near depression that I'm going to be spending 5k on something that really doesn't excite me.

The top stone is a lot prettier though, isn't it? Argh--this is so frustrating; why can I walk into a car dealership and just say "I'll take the blue one," but I can't make a decison here for the life of me?

Oh Meg, you would post on this thread. I have to tell you that yours is one of the stones I've been coveting! I absolutely love your countertops. Colonial Cream?

The blue line is kind of interesting; I'm not sure I would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out; I like the way it's broken up by the prep sink.

Really it's just a lovely kitchen all the way around.

It does seem that some of the granites with movement are pricer than the more homogenous ones, but I'm pretty sure that there are exceptions to that rule. And if you have to go homogenous, there are definitely some with more interesting colors than others.

It is so frustrating when something that should be exciting gets depressing, but forge on- look at other yards, check the clearance sections......

Hey,
I'd prefer the blob one if you could find another blob to use in your kitchen so that it looks like it was on purpose and not a discount piece. I completely prefer a stone with movement, so I understand where you are coming from. Perhaps there are remnants that can be had for cheaper? It pays to ask. Much of the cost for most kitchens' granite is in the fabircation and size. The price differences between stones are not as much as you might imagine unless you get into the really expensive ones (which, of course, are gorgeous, lol). There are many movement type stones for the same as the price for uniform patterned ones. You just may need to visit more yards and do a lot of asking.

That blob definitely looks like a flaw - I'd pass on that one unless they discount that slab and your fabricator can cut around it. The blue diagonal line on the other hand looks perfectly natural for that stone.

Thanks for the support everybody. But time to confess, I'm doing my kitchen through, gasp, Home Depot. So I'm limited to the one granite yard (and they do seem to have everything so I don't think that's an issue).

Because I signed in on a granite special (group A, $45 installed per sq ft), I think my price will increase dramatically if I move up even one "group." Right now, my choices are limited to 6 stones.

I was just looking on the supplier's website and they do have a number of "specials" going on, with a few slabs that look more like what I was hoping to find. I'm not sure if us HDers can get on those and whether it brings the price down to a comparable range. So now I'm thinking I'll call the granite yard tomorrow (or maybe I should just wait until Thursday when the cabinets get delivered so I have a sample door) and see if any of their specials are available to me. And then, if not, I'm wondering if I can get out of my granite contract with HD and go out on my own. Something else to follow-up on.

I'm sad that I may end up spending this small fortune on a countertop that I don't LOVE. I see so many people here who wake up each day thrilled to greet their granite, and I want to be one of them. I feel I've already compromised a lot by going the HD route; I got started before I found this website and the FKB and before I saw Weedyacres and her DH build their own ("hey we could've done that"). I hate to think that my granite will always have that "I wish it could've been..." stigma. But on the other hand, I DO realize it's just a countertop and I don't want to break the budget any further.

Oh gosh, I better just go to bed (I'm on the east coast) and get a fresh start tomorrow. Thank you all for your help this evening!

If you don't love it, get something cheap. You can look at your $45sf granite and be disappointed and feel guilty that you spent that much on something you only like or you can look at your $450 total laminate counter and be disappointed with a $4500 left in your budget. Either way, it's still a countertop you're not in love with.

We ended up with DIY marble tile that way- and it was a ton of work, but I really like it, especially for 1/3 to 1/4 of the cost of everything except laminate (14.30sf, and that included tile/backerboard/plywood/mastic/2 kinds of grout and matching caulk for each/3 different sealers/wet tile saw/saber saw blade/3 different faucet hole cutters/sandpaper/file etc- the tile was like $150 of that). I could not find a single laminate or stone or quartz that I even really, really liked- so the cheap that's not bad won. It will likely look horrible when we go to sell in 5 years, but it was cheap enough that I can replace it 4 times between now and then it if it does.

Good eye japper. Yes, it's Colonial Cream. Ever since I found out (elsewhere on this board) that the CC quarry closed, I've been giving my granite a pretty low profile. Thanks for the nice words!

I've seen some great HD kitchens so there's nothing to gasp about. I'm more concerned that you feel like you're settling--and for something that you don't even like. Perhaps cocontom is right; buy something cheap now and then replace it if and when you find something that you love.

Well, I don't know about the blob, but I like the spots on the blob piece much more than on the regular piece.

Why home depot, if I may ask? Their prices and selection arent that great, and I have heard pretty bad things about their worksmanship.....what is the upside? I know at least in my area, you can DEFINITELY get better prices if you look around.

Hi Muscat. I'd yet to find the Kitchen Forum and read all the great advice here when I signed on with HD. At the time, it just seemed to be the least expensive, easiest option. Too late to change as the cabinets were ordered and will be here tomorrow. Twenty years from now when I do my next kitchen I'll know better!

Japper, your not the only one who found this website "a little too late". I went with home depot on our cabinets as well and ran across this website after our kitchen was complete. I am right there with you on knowing better when redoing another kitchen in 20 years, lol. Oh well, live and learn!!!

I used Home Depot for my granite and I love mine. I had a very good experience with them.

Which granite did you choose Seikes?

My choices in group A are limited to Santa Cecilia, Giallo Fiorito, Carioca Gold, Uba Tuba, Baltic Brown, Black Pearl, and Caledonia.

Carioca Gold seems to have a poor reputation on the Stone Advice column so I've ruled it out, along with Giallo Fiorito which just doesn't appeal to me. The blacks and fingerprints worry me, and Caledonia won't match my kitchen, so that pretty much leaves Santa Cecelia. But inside me is a little Colonial Cream person. Or there was another kitchen posted here where the owner described it as something like vanilla caramel swirl ice cream with chocolate chips. Loved it!

Here are two that the stoneyard has on "special"; I don't know if the special price would bring them down to my range, and even if it would whether HD will let me step outside my group.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I'm a little disappointed with HD because my salesman really pressured me to sign up for their granite and later found out a friend of mine was able to get a higher level granite at the same price and with a more expensive edging from another fabricator for the same price as my group A "on sale" price at HD. I guess I shouldn't say I'm disappointed with HD overall, jsut that my slaesamn was a bit of a bully and I'm disappointed in myself for caving on a few points throughout.

I have giallo veneziano, which I believe was group C.

Good luck!

Push for what you want. Why should there be "rules" and "categories" if you can find what you want and it is on special? I guess it may cost a bit more, but find out (from the yard) what the special granite is per SF, and what they'd charge for your typical "A" granites per SF, and if there is a small difference, but you can foot it, how can they NOT abide?

Are you in some sort of contract, just cuz they did your cabinets?

I think both those slabs you posted are really pretty, and more interesting than the "A" choices. Good luck!

Wow! Those special slabs blow away the ones you posted earlier. If you really can't get them by working with the HD contract, you should go to HD in person and speak to a manager. Explain how you felt pressured in the first place and how dissatisfied you will be if forced to complete the contract for the counters. If you are buying a lot of other things from HD, and esp. if you can show you plan to buy a lot from HD (and that the future plans can change), they should let you go without too much trouble. Remember, the manager (employee) who you will deal with is not an owner of the company and will not make a lot of profit by forcing you to go ahead. They just may want to save on the headache of paperwork. Be firm and polite. Make it clear that you are a loyal HD customer and would like to keep that relationship. This was a mistake on your part, and it would not cost HD any money to let you recant as if you never signed for it. I am sure you aren't the first customer bullied by this particular salesperson.
If it helps, keep pix of those 2 "special" stones in your pocket for inspiration when you head there to discuss things. They will help you to be persistent as there is a good incentive for putting in the effort to cancel the contract!
Good Luck! (and please let us know what happens)

I love both those special slabs too, and would understand your wanting to upgrade to either of those granites.

Dianalo's approach is very reasonable. Go to the store and speak with a manager. Be pleasant but firm. Good luck!

Thanks for the push everybody--I guess the consensus is stand up for what you want. The cabinets arrive tomorrow. I'll take a sample down to the stone yard, see what they say, then follow-up with HD as needed. I actually do have a "contract" and the granite and installation are already paid; I have no idea whether they would cancel that portion of the contract and refund my money, but if necessary we'll find out.