SET IN STONE

Granite, Caesarstone, Tile, Wood, Formica...the selection for counter tops is endless and choosing one can be overwhelming. In our house, as we face putting it on the market, we didn't have a lot of time (or money) to be picky. Our objective: get it done, inexpensively and aesthetically pleasing for potential buyers. Last year I shot a pilot for HGTV called "BUY IT" where my primary role was to help a homeowner purchase kitchen counter tops. I learned more about synthetic surfaces than I care to admit. The one good thing that came out of that experience (HGTV didn't pick up the series!) is I can find counter tops in the blink of an eye..and decipher what will work best in the space. For example, Formica is hideous...well...that's a little harsh. But, the least expensive in the bunch is also the easiest to damage, hence my categorizing as "hideous." Caeserstone, while beautiful (made from 93% natural quartz is scratch and stain resistant) is also the most expensive in the group. Tile is easy to find, comes in many colors and textures and is a no-brainer but chips easily and grout adds a bit to your cleaning routine. Wood, our first choice, is a bit more expensive but incredibly durable. So, that brings us to Granite. Not our first choice, but easy to find in many colors, scratch and heat resistant and incredibly inexpensive. I googled "granite" and found it for $199/slab. Our counters are a bit larger so we used an island piece on one side, adding a bit to the cost. In the end we chose a black/grey granite that we thought would work well with our white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. More importantly, it's one more project checked off of our list! Now onto item #347

GET STONED:

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: One day (four hours, actually, of watching someone else install counters)

COST: $900 installed (http://www.choicegranite.com/)

STRESS LEVEL: Project #348 completed..LOW