Granite is not bullet-proof, nor is it maintenance-free. Not sure where people are getting that idea? As a porous material, it can harbor bacteria. As a result, it should be sealed annually, although many people don't realize this and skimp on the upkeep. It also can stain. Even with sealing, the surface is only stain-resistant--not stain-proof. You’ll still need to quickly clean up any spills like coffee or wine. Materials like quartz and soapstone are non-porous and much better in this regard.

See here for some examples of what can happen:

http://www.finishing.com/113/03.shtml

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just overhauled our 1830's farmhouse. We are putting in leathered black beauty granite. It's being installed on Thursday. We have white shaker styled cabinets and a herringbone gray porcelain 6x24 tile. The backsplash is an Italian subway tile in white. I think (hope) that's it's going to work.

This sounds beautiful! Congrats on the new kitchen.

Thank you so much!!! I'm super excited!! We saved up for this and it took a while but it's going to be worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have always wanted white marble kitchen counters maybe with thin gray veins. I love love love how they look. I don't care about all the negatives. I love it and I take care of my things.

Our house has granite. It's fine but I don't love it. When we redo it I will get white marble. I don't care what anyone else likes or wants. It's my kitchen and I have to live with it. Do what YOU like, OP!

So, you are in the I don't care if my countertop is ruined in 6 months club?

Or maybe they don't cook

Spilled juice or wine will also wreck it.

I always love Carrera marble for kitchen counters - thick slabs look very classy and timeless. ALSO love mahogany counters.

Anonymous wrote:We just overhauled our 1830's farmhouse. We are putting in leathered black beauty granite. It's being installed on Thursday. We have white shaker styled cabinets and a herringbone gray porcelain 6x24 tile. The backsplash is an Italian subway tile in white. I think (hope) that's it's going to work.

This sounds beautiful! Congrats on the new kitchen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back when we were in the middle of the granite craze, I remember wonder what could possibly follow it? This is natural, a solid rock, I mean this had to be the end of the road? And I think it still is. The only thing left is maybe having different finishes on it I think. Or some kind of future artificial plastic surface that we don't yet know about that will somehow be better. I suppose some day tastes will change so that natural materials like hardwood floors and granite counters will be out in favor of futuristic materials.

Agreed. We make 650k and love our granite....what is dated are some of the old, busy 'home depot' patterns. It is the color, patterns that dates the granite--not the material itself.

And what does your HHI have to do with this?

Anonymous wrote:Back when we were in the middle of the granite craze, I remember wonder what could possibly follow it? This is natural, a solid rock, I mean this had to be the end of the road? And I think it still is. The only thing left is maybe having different finishes on it I think. Or some kind of future artificial plastic surface that we don't yet know about that will somehow be better. I suppose some day tastes will change so that natural materials like hardwood floors and granite counters will be out in favor of futuristic materials.

Agreed. We make 650k and love our granite....what is dated are some of the old, busy 'home depot' patterns. It is the color, patterns that dates the granite--not the material itself.

We just overhauled our 1830's farmhouse. We are putting in leathered black beauty granite. It's being installed on Thursday. We have white shaker styled cabinets and a herringbone gray porcelain 6x24 tile. The backsplash is an Italian subway tile in white. I think (hope) that's it's going to work.

Back when we were in the middle of the granite craze, I remember wonder what could possibly follow it? This is natural, a solid rock, I mean this had to be the end of the road? And I think it still is. The only thing left is maybe having different finishes on it I think. Or some kind of future artificial plastic surface that we don't yet know about that will somehow be better. I suppose some day tastes will change so that natural materials like hardwood floors and granite counters will be out in favor of futuristic materials.

I don't think granite really screams turn of the century farmhouse.

I have soapstone. It can be beautiful, especially the veining. Don't let anyone fool you, though. It is very soft and scratches and dings easily. Yes you can sand it out but then the countertop or edge is uneven. End of the day, you need to love the patina -- as garden web soapstone lovers call it. If you want sleek and easy, soapstone is not for you. If you are fine with the lived-in, rustic look, then soapstone all the way.

Depending on where you live, I would post on your neighborhood listserv and see if anyone with soapstone counters would let you come see them "lived-in" and not beautiful and pristine from the showroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have always wanted white marble kitchen counters maybe with thin gray veins. I love love love how they look. I don't care about all the negatives. I love it and I take care of my things.

Our house has granite. It's fine but I don't love it. When we redo it I will get white marble. I don't care what anyone else likes or wants. It's my kitchen and I have to live with it. Do what YOU like, OP!

So, you are in the I don't care if my countertop is ruined in 6 months club?

Or maybe they don't cook

I'm in the its your house do what you want, unless you're planning on selling in the next year or so. We have Silestone and personally I love how maintenance free it is.

Yes, granite is over. However, it's your kitchen and you're not worried about resale, so just use whatever you like.

We just redid our kitchen and went with Silestone counters. I liked the light color options in Silestone better than the granites we saw. I hate really veiny granite. I love that it's no-maintenance. This is our forever home and I don't plan to replace the counter for a long, long time.