The first kitchen reminds me of a slightly melted hot fudge/caramel sundae, not excrement. But I think it's very busy, hard to accessorize, and you might tire of it sooner.

I love the look of soapstone, which is what I think of when looking at the second kitchen. I vote for #2. No pun intended .. well maybe. ;)

The first countertop is way too busy IMHO. I think it is something I would get tired of quickly. The second one works better with white cabinets. I am afraid the first one is a "what were they thinking".

Personally, I wouldn't put #1 in my house. But I think it has so much more personality than #2. If you and your husband love it, you should do #1.

Be careful, though, it may look funny with white cabinets. A lot of stock white cabinets are kind of grey leaning. It may not work with the yellow in the stone. But if you have a creamy, almost yellow-y cabinet, it would work well.

Oh, and since "tiring of it sooner" is emerging as a trend in this conversation, I would say anything you don't LOVE has just as much chance of getting stale as anything you do love.

I think that #1 is too much for a "small, closed" kitchen (at least, it would be for me). I would avoid any really big, really busy stone because in a small space that will be all one will see (headache inducing to me!) If the choice is between #1 and #2, I would pick #2 hands down. Showing stains is probably not a worry for it, either.

Have you been to a stone yard nearby to see what there is on offer there?

I much prefer the second option :)

out of the 2 choices, i would choose #2. on the other hand, i would keep looking, i feel there are better choices out there, neither are wowing me..... Are u picking your granite from these picks? have u been to a stone yard? my advice is to go to stone yard and start there. u might find something u love even better. bring a sample of your cabinet, floor and paint color if u have it. the more samples u bring the better.
Good Luck!!

Thank you all. Yes, we have been to a stone yard and these were our two favorites. Thanks for the input!

Were you able to find the two stones? You should be able to get samples and test for staining (and etching).

It's your kitchen. You are paying for whatever worktop. I'd say go for the one you both want. Be careful what you match it with but a dark muddy black brown on the lower cabinets would in my mind let that work top sing. I really like it

Here's the first stone in a white (glazed) kitchen. Maybe seeing it with white will help you decide--scroll down for for pics. (Although why anyone would use a red sink, and painted red island with that stone?)

[Wood stone white kitchen.[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/wood-stone-granite-countertops-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~3204062)

Wood Stone Granite Countertops · More Info

Mamagoose. i couldn't resist looking that one up! Red??? Lol!

Mrsera, while I do feel like the first stone may be a bit overpowering in a small kitchen, I am all for going with what you both love. The only thing I'd consider is if you plan on selling in the near future since like you said, it is "a love it or hate it" stone. But if you love it, I say go for it. I think you definately need to make sure the white cabinets are a more creamy white to match though.

Just please avoid the red.... :-D

You need to take pictures of the actual stones you are interested in. For example I have seen pictures of Fascination granite that were too dark, too many dark spots etc. However when i went to the granite yard, there it was! Just the right look for what I wanted.

I happen to like busy stones on the counter. I don't think it's too much as long as the rest of the kitchen is kept "quiet". As someone else mentioned, make sure the cabinets are not too grey.

My feeling is always go with what you like better. You don't need to please anyone but yourselves.

Now, I Know they did not ask for help on THIS forum, lol!

Um I typed before looking at the photo with the red. Definitely don't do the red, but I think the stone with the white is dramatic and stunning. I would much rather have a dramatic countertop than another run of the mill countertop. In fact I had seen that granite and the only reason I didn't choose it was because I wanted to get away from the brown/tan look since I have it in my condo now.

sorry, it seemed like u were picking the stone from pictures. glad u
went to stone yard. do u have pics of the actual slabs? if u really
love the first one and it makes your hearts sing, then go for it. don't
worry what other people think or say. u live there 24/7 and u should
have what u love. if you really aren't sure and have doubts, then its
not "the one". its one of the hardest decisions i made throughout the
whole process, so i feel your pain,....

i wouldn't do the 4" backsplash though.. i think its a little too much and definitely not the red !! i agree springroz, they didn't ask for help here, LOL!!

here's a pic in a different room, to give u a different view, i like it in this pic....post pics of the slab if u can!!!

Condominium Renovation · More Info

Photo copy of my granite with my floor sample and cabinet color sample.

Our slab

I am putting stone wood in my house. We love granite with a ton of movement. I am fascinated to know our slab was created in nature. I love the swirls and the blue color running through it. My kitchen is big. I am extremely excited to know my kitchen isn't white with marble. It's a pretty look, but I do not like having whatever other people have. Yes, some people do not like my granite. I am okay with that. My husband and I love it!!!

I am also putting copper sinks in the kitchen. I have had copper before and I love it. I love having natural elements in my home.

Yes, I have googled this stone to death. I had seen the pink/red example before (and purposefully try to avoid showing it since so many people, included myself, are distracted by it!). Finding the exact slab is a little hard at this point because our stones are at a very, very large distributor with quick turnover who feed from many fabricators. Overall, there isn't a ton of variation within these slabs as compared to some others we saw. With either countertop, we would do a more subdued backsplash. gwlake, you sound like my husband! He was also looking longingly at the copper sinks! My husband agrees with you, 100%. I am the one with more mixed emotions.

Sorry for outing the red island kitchen. What I noticed in all the pics (possibly staged), is that there are no accessories, small appliances, etc. on the counters, to compete with the movement of the stone. Some folks always have clear, uncluttered counters, even with quieter stones, so if that is your style I think the Stone Wood granite will work. But even if you cover it with roosters or mushrooms or holstein cow toothpick holders, it's your kitchen--get what you and your husband love.

(I'm imagining what happened in the questionable kitchen is that one homeowner said to the other, "Well, if you get the granite that you want, I get the sink and island that I want!) ;)

Even though it is not to my taste, I always encourage you to go with what you love. If we only styled around resale, we would all have REALLY BORING kitchens! And we all trust you not to use red with it ;-)

Just a word of caution that Stone Wood is not granite, it's sandstone, or perhaps onyx. In either case it's a sedimentary rock and my hunch would be that it's porous and scratch-able. So definitely run some rugged tests on that sample before falling in love for good.

It is my impression that stones with a great deal of movement and contrast tend to close in a small kitchen. For that reason I chose a calm granite for my space. However, as many have said, you need to please only yourself in your kitchen.