The kitchen had to be calming, promote healthy eating (see built-in steamer), and provide seating for the cook. We found a beautiful granite and used it 3 ways--a regular slab in the perimeter, live edged counter for the island, and (using the left-over segments of the granite) we made beveled-edge tiles for the backsplash. Subzero refrigerator, Wolf induction cooktop, steamer, convection oven and warming drawer.