I don't know anything about Madre Perola. But I do know that Bianco Romano will require frequent sealing. It is one of the most porous granites out there, prone to staining. There are many granites that do not need sealing, or only once-a-year sealing, and are tough. Why are your choices down to only these two? Visit a couple more stoneyards to see more selection.

Thank you for the info on BR, I didn't know about it being more porous. We've been to 4 stone yards and I can't find a granite I'm thrilled about. My husband doesn't want it to be too white/cold. We're looking for depth, a WARM white gray beige sand (but not too yellow or pink), and not busy/dotty. We both love the Madre Perola but the cost is causing us to second guess. If anyone has suggestions, I'm open.

yes, I have this counter and I would not be happy with anything else. although the granite is nice, the quartzite is beautiful and bulletproof. no sealing required.

The Madre Perla is beautiful!

Does Bianco Romano get those rust spots/blotches over time that other lighter granites seem to get? That would worry me.

I don't know anything about the maintenance, but I think the Bianco Romano is very pretty.

Madre Perola - you won't be sorry and everyone coming in your kitchen will be wowed. But, most importantly, you will be wowed every morning over coffee.

That Madre Perola is too beautiful.

I have had my Madre Perla for going on 4 years. When choosing it came down to the MP, or Costa Esmeralda. The MP was more, my heart wanted it, I put the samples out and let my dh and two ds's vote. Unanimous!

We are so happy with it. It is so durable, so beautiful. So many people comment on it.

It is a big ticket item, for sure. I had to work it into my budget and that included delaying and incorporating more dyi in our powder/laundry reno project. It was well worth it.

Thank you so much everyone! my husband and I are going to look at the MP slabs we have on hold one more time this morning and I'll let you know what happens:) It will definitely mean adjusting our budget but I think we're close.

Ok. We're officially sold on the Madre Perola. So glad and relieved! However, when we went to view the 3 slabs today, (previously we'd only seen 1), 2 of them had some pretty significant rust colored veining in the bottom left third of the slab. It runs about 18 in by 2-4 in on each, very spidery. Kinda looks like coral but I'm just not sure I want it. I really want a calm soothing gentle flowy appearance and I'm worried I'll constantly be looking at it wishing it wasn't there. I couldn't get a good photo because of the crappy lighting. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Have you purchased slabs with rust colored veins? How did it work out? Did you like the added character or did you see it as a flaw and try to work around it?

Here's a photo of the rust veins I'm talking about...but in the 2 slabs I saw today it's in the bottom left third of the slab, a diagonal system of veining about 18in by 2-4in pointing downward....the slabs are 130x75 each....I can post a drawing of our layout, maybe someone could help me figure out if we can work around it? Idk.

Are all 3 slabs from the same lot number? The last picture looks different than the previous ones.

I got Taj Mahal which is very close to MP. I sweated the rust veins. The fabricator did a great job marking it for our layout.

Now, some of the veining I was so worried about is character that I love. I have just a some of the veining in discrete parts of the counter top.

Here are photos of my slab

I'll take a picture of the finished product and add here later.

I don't have any pictures of the completed kitchen due to computer crash but here is one of the unfinished project.

Take a look at all the photos in the below kitchen, it helped me make the decision.

http://www.houzz.com/projects/471311/classic-traditional-white-kitchen-remodel

I think the rust veins give it character. It doesn't make it less beautiful to me.

perky, this is EXACTLY the feedback I needed, thank you! no, that last slab isn't from same lot, it was just the only example I could find of the veining. your slab veining is very very similar to our slabs on hold. all of the photos you shared are gorgeous...I just needed reassurance that those naturally occurring character spots won't be viewed as flaws, I guess. the psychology of countertops indeed lol. moving forward! thanks so much again:)

Ooh - these are pretty! I actually like the rust veining - I think it gives character.

Trying to find backsplash to go with Madre Perola countertop with white perimeter cabinets and darker green island. Needs to be easy to keep clean behind gas stove. Possibly thinking of using the Madre Perola behind stove and tile each side. Any ideas and pictures would be helpful.

How can I get a sample of Madre Perola?