Countertops!

I haven't been posting because I've been busy putting out fires and dealing with craziness! Before filling you in on the crazy, I have to share my countertop adventure.

Shortly after posting about my indecision on countertop materials, I went out to Anaheim with an open mind and looked at all the slab yards I hadn't seen. Still no inspiration. There was one slab yard I hadn't been to because it was by appointment only. It would typically be too much hassle if I could find a stone elsewhere, but given my indecision, I called and made the appointment. Before we started, Rodrigo, the guy showing me around, kept talking about the help and being out late filming the help the night before. I was thinking I couldn't believe he was calling his workers the help! Then he started talking about "Jasmine's installations". Now I'm thinking, I don't know your client, just show me your stones! (Are you laughing at me yet?) I'm such a ditz. I don't really watch TV - our TVs are usually taken by a toddler, teen, and husband in the house. If you're as clueless as me, I'll fill you in. Jasmine Roth is a designer on HGTV. These guys provide and install the stones on the shows there. "The Help" is short for the show "Help! I Wrecked My House!" Once I realized what he was talking about, I was thinking there was no way I could afford their prices!

About the stones there. Wow. They had such beautiful stones and, of course, the largest selection of Cristallo I had seen. Their stone buyer showed me around. I quickly walked past the Cristallo knowing it's price and told him it was out of my price range. I described the project and he kept saying I shouldn't give up on Cristallo yet. I told him he could give me a quote but I was pretty sure it was out of my price range. Still, there wasn't anything else that I loved for this application. He and the owner, Dale, thought the Cristallo was the best selection for the project and were determined to make it happen for me.

These guys are top notch and so kind. They came back with a bid that was way less than any other I had received for Cristallo AND their guys would install it for less than my fabricator. I started to dream. Despite the fact that it was a great offer, it was still more than I had budgeted. I sat down with Clay and he gave me the green light! So, Dale at The Marble Yard came to my rescue and will be installing my countertops! Check out the stone I selected below. (Unfortunately, pictures don't do it justice - the stone is made up of crystals so you can see into the stone. It's very dimensional. Many people backlight it but that would be about double the cost!)

The kitchen will look similar to the cad drawing below (courtesy of Dale). I'm making some small changes to seams, etc., but it gives you the idea!

If you need a quartzite, go see Dale and his crew at The Marble Yard!

The Crew at The Marble Yard!

Coming up soon: The crazy and and unpredictable!