I like the movement in madreperola myself. That would be my pick.

9 London Sky

6 Madreperola

However, remember we're looking on computer monitors. Each of our monitors is different and sees color differently. So really you're the only one who can choose. Which one do you prefer?

I wanted to vote, but I cannot because your cabinet color in the photo with the wood floor looks totally bright baby blue! SW Pure white may have a cool tone, but it seriously looks bright blue on my iPad. Sorry....obviously I must agree about the monitor issue...

I think London Sky is very pretty. The Madreperola is reading very pink/taupe on my monitor. Looking again and not trying to offend... I know it's not 80s, but something about the look of the Madre itself says dated/80s/beach house to me.

Oh brother, my post above sounded terrible. I am so sorry tinker! I didn't mean to imply the light bluish sample looked bad with the floors or the counters. Actually I think that it is probably your blue gray wall color and as usual I'm totally confused. Ugh! Big apologies!

I only meant to say that my monitor is probably off if that is the SW Pure white because I am familiar with that paint color. I have a swatch of pure white and I most likely will paint all my trim with it. I just thought that my vote on the counters wouldn't help you much at all if my monitor was so off. Again sorry for misunderstanding....:-(

Oh how I wish the colors showed up correctly! There is no pink - that I can see... The Madrepreola is more like a Greige. I honestly don't love the wall color... and think the blue tint is too much. The London sky is also kinda like a very light greige, with veins of gray, greenish & blue. The pictures show pretty true on my screen...

a few more closeups of London Sky

Closeups of Madrepreola

I think they are both gorgeous. Could you repaint after its installed if the paint doesn't work?

I can't chime in on preference (both are beautiful!), but are you able to view a sample of each in your kitchen? When we shopped slabs, it was pretty incredible how different stones appeared in the lighting of your space (and horizontal!) vs sitting vertically in a warehouse.

Also, note the Madrepreola has very large sections of the darker shade. Will these be okay with your cabinets? Depending on how you and your fabricator divide up the slab(s), you may end up with all-dark sections on your countertop -- and that may play into which stone you go with.

Our two slabs of Calacatta Gold quartzite had areas of darker grey that weren't particularly compatible with our cabinets/floors, but we were able to minimize those areas during templating.

Silken, I think that's my plan... Reprinting.

javiwa, I only have a small sample of the London sky... Too difficult to tell. I'm interested in what you discovered when your slabs where installed, did they appear darker or lighter? Was the slabs you purchased inside a warehouse or outside? I know the sun makes it difficult, but I also am aware that the slabs will change some once in my home and vertical position.... Just not sure how much they will change!

We returned to the yard today to look at the Madreperola again... They had sample cabinet doors, so although it's not and exact at home, it's close.

HANDS DOWN London Sky! It is gorgeous!

At a distance I would have voted for the MP. But seeing the London Sky up close, that's the one. That's what I would have in my kitchen, the current one, or one far into the future. It's beautiful beyond words.

Good to see a more accurate representation of your cabinet color. I originally thought the bluish square represented your wall color.

tinker -- My process wasn't horribly scientific as I've taken so many shots w/ my iPhone camera and really can't remember which ones I adjusted (for exposure, etc.), but my general sense is that the stones appeared much lighter once at the house. Lighting conditions in warehouses are generally quite dingy.

Below is a Taj Mahal slab inside a warehouse (left) and the chipped off sample in my kitchen (right). (This stone yard was so accommodating to chisel off a piece and allow me to take it home. The TM was so, so expensive, we just couldn't justify the cost as compared to the CG -- but, wow, just gorgeous!)

Click to enlarge images.

Below are various views of the polished CG slab: outside in daylight (though not direct sunlight -- this seller was kind enough to transport the slab from inside the warehouse outside, so I could have a better look), one warehouse, and final/fabricator's warehouse.

(Yup, that's ^^ the same wedge of TM I obviously hadn't let go of quite yet -- I was just trying to compare it to the CG as I liked how light the TM was in my kitchen.)

This is a view of the island (CG) in my driveway on delivery day -- piece shown was honed:

Finally, this was an interesting development -- the polished sample appeared darker/grayer than the honed and leathered. DH loved the non-polished surfaces more, so it was a bonus that these two finishes also made the stone appear even lighter:

A very duh statement, but lighting makes a huge difference.

Javiwa, that's a beautiful stone, and so interesting how the honed is so much lighter than the polished!

tinker-which one stops you in your tracks or has you walking past with your head craned backward to stare just . one . more . time??? Either? Both?

Autumn... BOTH! torn between two lovers....

Oh no you are sunk! You need to build 2 kitchens then. ;O

Ok tinker, is there one you are thinking of more than the other? Or if they suddenly sold one or the other which would make you upset?

Here is the floor and cab color on each.

Without seeing the surrounding room design, London Sky would be my pick! It's just stunning. And I would change the paint to a gray with a green undertone instead of blue.

rebunky again we're just looking on our monitors so that really tells us nothing. Additionally putting everything on top one one another tells us nothing because that's not how we'll be viewing the materials in real life. The cabinets will be vertical and the floor and stone will be horizontal.

At this point, could it be that there is no wrong answer and quite possibly whichever one you choose you could happily enjoy without regret while still having reverence for the 'one that got away'?

I also had 2 that caught my eye, took my breath away, made me stop and stare. I finally made a choice and while I love it and feel no pangs of regret I honestly feel I would have been just as happy with the other one as well. They both just had their way with me. Lol. Sometimes I think in the thick of it everything seems so monumental with cost and permanency but it's going to be great either way. Your choices are both fantastic.

Benjamin Moore, La Paloma Gray, green undertones & looks great with both beige & gray. Someone recommended it to me. I thought it looked too dark on the fandeck but put a sample on the wall. One paint sample & I was done. Very unusual for me. I do have a lot of natural light.

Cp, point taken. It just helps me to visualize all the elements better when I layer them on top of each other like that verses scrolling down the thread to see everything. I realize they will change planes and will look different in the actual kitchen lighting.

I am sure whatever one tinker picks will be stunning.

Hey when it gets to that point where I love two things equally, I go with the one that will save me money. (My mother lives on in me.)

Countertops... TBD... lol.
Maybe I'll flip a coin!

I do think I will end up repainting.... The builder uses Porter Paints, it was hard to pick the color.. as I was unfamiliar with it. I'm very familiar with SW which would have made the task much easier... Thank you all for giving me some things to ponder about.

Late voter weighing in . While the LS is certainly beautiful, I LOVE the Madreperola. From the picture it is one of the prettiest I have seen. It is much like the Taj Mahal that I have.

perky it reminds me of Taj Mahal as well and I think that's why it wants me to vote for it as I have always admired that stone.

Tinker - do you have anything in mind for a backsplash? Which one would give you more backsplash options? Find inspriration pics of each stone & see what kind of backsplash was paired with it. You might find a combination you love.

A few kitchens with Madre Perla Quartzite. Even the one with plain white backsplash tile is beautiful.

Lafayette farmhouse · More Info

Madre Perla Kitchen with White Cabinets · More Info

Madre Perla Kitchen with White Cabinets · More Info

Lafayette farmhouse · More Info

Lafayette farmhouse · More Info

Lincoln Park - Howe · More Info

Orinda Kitchen Remodel · More Info

Madre Perla Kitchen with White Cabinets · More Info

Forest Ave. · More Info

Forest Ave. · More Info

I'm changing my vote to the Madre Perla - warmer & I like the backsplash options.

A pic of White Macaubas.

Bar · More Info

Last night I was kinda leaning to The London Sky (White Macaubas).... it's a beautiful stone, just not sure it's best in a white kitchen (gray island).

Here are a few more kitchen with White Macaubas

The Madre Perla might be a little calmer, so what are you doing for backsplash and other things in the kitchen.. Maybe that will help decide.

Lcskaisgir's used White Macaubas in her white kitchen. Also Michelle16. Both gorgeous kitchens as are the pictures you posted.

Lcskaisgir's kitchen reveal

Michelle16's kitchen reveal

We are heading back to the stone yard tomorrow... I **think** I'm going to go with the warmer stone Madrepreola... I'm going to beg them for a corner sample piece.

Brilliant thought to consider what to use for a backsplash when you are torn between two stones. But I like the madrepreola :)

Good luck, tinker. If they won't provide a sample, perhaps ask if they can move your slab into different light (outdoors) to get a better look.

I really want to shop for the backsplash after everything is installed... I just feel I'll be more confident in what I pick.

Also.. the yard did say we can choose the slabs we want... the bundle just arrived, but they are willing to move some slabs for us to choose from.. maybe a corner will brake off! :)

Good luck. Two beautiful choices. I don't see how you can make a wrong choice.

Yayy!!!

Moving forward in confidence is a great feeling! Congrats! Can't wait to see it installed.

I just posted a question about London Sky using the slab tinker shared in the original post...so, the London Sky slab that was being considered is a quartzite, not a quartz? People at the slab yards have no idea have no idea what I'm talking about when I ask if they have a quartzite called London Sky. Did you finally choose the Madre Perla? We love it and are strongly considering it but I wish I could see London Sky in person. We're set on Brazilian cherry floors, a rich blue island with mahogany countertop, white perimeter cabinets with quartzite countertop, just not sure which one. Not worrying about paint or backsplash yet. Would love to see photos of your finished kitchen!

This was my original inspiration photo - minus some of the bling - I just want a grayer but still warm countertop for perimeter:

Made a few mistakes... But it's getting there!

oh my gosh....it's gorgeous! thanks so much for sharing...it's really helpful and I love love love the mother of pearl with your cabinets. makes me want to consider ditching the wood countertop plan for the island. nothing signed yet;) will look forward to seeing more as you finish up.

Sooo pretty! Wow! It looks amazing. So glad I caught this floating back to the top. :)

Tinker - the countertops (and the entire kitchen) is gorgeous! I hope you'll treat us to a reveal when you're done. Love your stacked cabinets & frig.

I was thinking I like the pantry door with the arch...[it's subtle]---- as it ties in with the curved glass on pendants. Don't need to change it but do as you wish. Beautiful classic space.

your kitchen is gorgeous! I just picked madreperola for my kitchen as well and now I'm looking for backsplash tile ideas. What did you end up going with? My cabinets are a grey-wash on the perimeter and the island is Old Navy from Benjamin Moore. The cabinet hardware is brushed brass.

Hi Tinker! By chance can you tell me if your madre perla is honed or polished? I love it and have a slab on hold for my kitchen remodel.