John and Flo, I love that one, but my husband feels like it’s too much. We had azul delicatus before, so I love a big pattern, I think it’s like art. I am going to see it tomorrow and try to rally the hub. We have a 3x7 island going in, and I think it would look amazing :)

I agree with Flo. That slab is stunning. Hopefully just as stunning in person.

I love that one, but my husband feels like it’s too much. We had azul delicatus before, so I love a big pattern, I think it’s like art. I am going to see it tomorrow and try to rally the hub. We have a 3x7 island going in, and I think it would look amazing :)

Remind hubs that what looks like too much looking at it vertically will look a lot quieter when it's placed horizontally. Standing in front of a very large vertical piece tends to be overwhelming but when it's cut and horizontal it is not so.

I am trying to be open to quartz this time around, but it looks man made to me

I'm with you. I know that the experts tout quartz as if it's wonderful -- never needs sealing, etc., etc. Those perks are over-rated. Granite is much nicer, even if it is harder to choose.

Honestly, nothing else on this thread is as attractive as your very first picture. It's your old kitchen? Is this stone no longer available?

My fabricator's warning with porcelain was that it doesn't necessarily chip more than other surfaces, but if it does chip or crack, there's really nothing that can be done short of replacing the whole counter. With natural stone or quartz, there's a lot more he can do to repair, rather than replace, chipped or cracked counters.

Stephanie - I think where quartz (like Corian) really shines is when it doesn't try to replicate real stone and is just solid (or close to) and quiet. That's one look real stone doesn't do well, and the man-made materials do. We're using a little of it for our tub surround for that exact reason. I disagree completely that granite is a look that harkens back to the 80's and 90's, though. That's what I thought, too, before I went to actually look at granite (probably because my experience with granite was what had been installed in the 80's and 90's). When I looked at the slabs, however, there were a lot of really great options that aren't dated at all. Sure, they'll still sell you the 80's look if you want (and at rock bottom prices), but they'll also sell something that fits well with modern tastes.

Ditto on Mrs Pete's comment. Salesfolk keep trying to persuade me on all the ways quartz is superior, or at least as good, but I just keep looking at it and thinking, "I'm paying how much for a bland looking sheet of powdered rock and glue?" I don't know why it puts me off so much, but I have nearly the same feeling in my stomach as when Pergo became popular. Please help me get over this as DH is sold on quartz and I don't think I can reverse the course of the ship at this point.

@Kristin S, thanks. I commented before I saw your wise words. Yes, it's definitely that attempt at replicating real stone that gnaws at me. The main reason we're considering (mostly plain white) quartz is are trying to brighten up a wall of walnut veneer cabinets and also reduce the noise, especially since we are anything but perfectionists and There Will Be Clutter...

Mittens Cat - it sounds like we might be in similar situations. Our plan originally started with a mostly white, mostly non-stone look quartz (Ceasarstone Organic White), which really appealed to my engineer husband. And I really tried to like it, but I finally realized I was just tolerating it. I looked at quartz with more movement, but it just looked fake. I look at quartzite, but the ones that were quiet white were insanely priced. Finally, I looked at granite, and realized it wasn't all the 80's look over again. We have the ability to lighten up other elements since we're building from scratch, so we're ending up with a leathered Black Mist granite that meets my husband's need for quiet and mine for a little movement and interest.

Please help me get over this as DH is sold on quartz and I don't think I can reverse the course of the ship at this point.

1. Why is he sold on quartz?

2. Who does most of the cooking and spends the most time in the kitchen?

LOL, Kristin S, "finally realized I was just tolerating it" definitely describes my current state (and not just about countertop!). My very practical DH is the cook in the household, so I deferred to him on all appliance choices, etc. I'm far more into the aesthetics, for better or for worse. Much of our remodel new build and I really want to get it right, or at least somewhat close to right! I adore leathered black granite and swoon over soapstone, but with our walnut cabinet wall I'm really concerned about doing anything else that might suck more light out of the kitchen. I look forward to seeing your end results!

Also: you can always reverse the course of the ship. Tell your husband you've been trying to like it but you just don't. Explore other options. Try to find an option that makes you both happy.

@cpartist, DH is the cook. I'm the dishwasher, though occasionally I manage to open a can or possibly a bit more (like, um, on Fathers Day!) :-D

I think he's sold on quartz mainly because he hates indecision and just wants to get it done! Also he has this idea that it's the best value? He doesn't get emotional about so many of these decisions, like his wife of 30 years.

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Thanks so much for your input on this everyone! I have been so excited to do this kitchen and the pressure to use quartz was stealing a bit of my joy. I can’t wait to visit the slab warehouses this week! My husband says he really doesn’t care as long as I’m happy, I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen, so he thinks I should have more of a say :)

I can't wait to see more pics! The 4th one in your first post of slabs (might be the Alaska White?) is AMAZING!

I love ubatuba. my experience is it is resilient, and hides a multitude of sins while having an elegant look. we bought a different home and I'm now counter shopping again. I finally have decided on the ubatuba for all the reasons I mentioned. how can a stone become passe? follow your heart not other's recommendations.

I just renovated my kitchen and for all the reasons others have mentioned, we got light-colored granite and I love it. The granite I chose is called "River White" and was half the price of the Quartz I was considering. Maybe because Quartz is so popular, granite is cheaper? I also discovered that the lighter the color of granite, the more porous it is. I originally wanted the backsplash to be granite, but the fabricator could not cut it to the thinness it needs to be, (they said the stone kept crumbling). I had a little problem with staining on a seam where I keep large Boos cutting board. I didn't think ahead that the oil in the wood would penetrate after a few months, but it did. It's not a bad stain, but I can tell It's there. I am very happy with our granite countertops. Natural stone is so beautiful.

Beautiful Denise! I am headed to the stone yard now...wish me luck :)

Beautiful, Denise, thanks for sharing. I keep hearing the lighter color granites are more likely to hold stains, but I'd think if you really love something, you go a bit further to protect it. And let's hope, for all granite lovers' sakes, the price of granite keeps dropping while the quartz craze blazes on.

My challenge is finding a lighter granite that goes well with light/warm walnut cabinets but doesn't have flecks of brown in it. I don't know why but those brown lines kind of ugh me out--well, I do know why, but don't want to gross anyone out. :-) I love those cool granites (Alaska, etc.) but the color seem a little too "cool" for the golden honey tones in my cabs and floors.

Momofthree Ma, I look forward to your report!

I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen, so he thinks I should have more of a say :)

That's a good hubby! And it sounds like he'll be happy with whatever you choose, as long as you choose something soon!

I think we are sold on the Alaska White, it is a very blue piece which works for our backsplash and cabinet combo. I am also getting quotes on two others, but I think we have a winner!!!
Pictures are Alaska White(x2), White Ice and Leathered ivory fantasy.

My challenge is finding a lighter granite that goes well with light/warm walnut cabinets but doesn't have flecks of brown in it. I don't know why but those brown lines kind of ugh me out--well, I do know why, but don't want to gross anyone out.

Ok now you owe me a new keyboard because I just spit out my brown coffee all over my keyboard! LMAO.

That Alaska White is absolutely stunning and I'm so glad you went for it. I can't wait to see it all put together in your kitchen!

(The other two just don't compare.)

Perfect! Eased edge please. Going to be gorgeous. Choose grout carefully. Probably medium gray so it recedes and doesn’t add busyness. I would do stack rather than offset if possible. Keep us posted.

HA HA! cpartist

Disclaimer (don't read the following while sipping): my repulsion to brown streaks is probably due to the fact that I had to bring in a "sample" from our cat's litter box to the vet...in a clear Ziploc baggie. Sorry!

Momofthree Ma, that is STUNNING! Yay you! Can't wait to see it installed. BTW, you know what that would pair perfectly with? A HUGE white bowl of chocolate chip ice cream! :)

Thanks everyone, I am so excited!

Flo...eased edge and stacked tile, forgive me, but what does that mean? I like offset, but I don’t know what the other option is.

Here is “stacked” tile.

Here is “offset” layout sometimes called brick.

Ok, thanks Flo! We are very traditional, I’m thinking the stacked is a little too modern, no?

Eased edge just takes off sharp top edge and only top edge. Don’t do bottom edge. It is “edge” treatment of granite.

Yes, stacked is more modern and offset more traditional. So go offset.

Thanks Flo! We are going to have the counters installed and then decide on tile. I love the tile I picked, but I want to make sure it’s not too much. It might delay our end point a little bit, but I just want to see the stone flat and then make the decision.

Beautiful choice Momofthree Ma! You have helped me to decide to go with granite on our new build instead of quartz.

That is a beautiful match with the tile and the cabinets. GREAT choice! The Alaska White is really stunning and I love that it isn't overly cool toned - there is still some warmth in it.

Very smart to wait on backsplash tile choice. Getting proper templates for the granite is important too and will affect your overall look. I suspect you might want to go white on backsplash if you lean traditional. But the square shape would help keep it fresh. We will see.

That’s gorgeous. I’m so glad you found something so great.

Yes, Flo, you are exactly right! That front slab is my showpiece, so we are going to be very careful
Templating that piece for the island.

Audrey, glad that this helped! I felt such a relief going with what I love over what everyone else is telling me to do!

Kristin, thanks for all the help!

The quartz people have done an amazing job of marketing this resin product! Gotta give them that. But nothing like nature’s product! You won’t regret for a minute. I can’t wait til you work with the fabricator to get the best parts on your island. The peripheral countertops are just supporting actors. So exciting!!!

This is a pic of the granite in a warm white kitchen...loving it!

I have this same picture in one of my ideabooks! Are you able to share where you found your granite?

I suspect you might want to go white on backsplash if you lean traditional. But the square shape would help keep it fresh. We will see.

Please no more white. There's enough white with white. Pick the color you love. I'm guessing it will be perfect together.

CP Artist, I’m hoping we can still do the colored tile, and the colored tile is actually a standard 3x6, but because they are handmade they send a smaller size sample. It’s still a pretty subdued color, so I think it’s going to be ok. Our whole house is subtle beachy colors, so I would love to tie that into the backsplash.
These are the three styles I am considering:

Audrey, we found it at Elemar North in Lowell, MA.

Momofthree Ma, Thank you so much!

Beautiful slab! I love Alaska White- it is a beauty. I have it with white cabs, white backsplash, and wood floors- it looks awesome. You can’t go wrong with that granite.

Went back and picked my slabs. My fabricator thought it best that I pick in person because I have a very specific idea of what this should look like...ie, I’m a little picky :)
Luckily, the first slab we love also had another that was in sequence, so they have a similar flow. My fabricator also said I can come down for the layout, so that I can get exactly what I want on the island. Thanks for all the tips, it’s going to make this kitchen great!
The lighting is dark in these pics, but these pieces are fantastic...so happy!

So cool! Congrats!

It seems lighting is not great in any slab photo...at least at the showroom. (I always wonder why slab sellers don't figure that out when posting photos on their websites.)

p.s. do you know what the slab is just behind yours in bottom photo? It's got such a nice icy blue to it.

It was a very grey and white granite, not sure of the name, sorry!