We Have Granite!

We finally took the plunge, and got granite for the kitchen.  Funny thing, the process of picking out the granite, and getting it quoted, took longer than getting it fabricated and installed, I literally thought that we would still not have it installed until this week, but was pleasantly surprised to have gotten a call last Monday, to let me know that the guys would be here on Tuesday.  I quickly prepared the house for the mess, because I always expect the worst:

My daughter had a blast coloring the paper that was pretty much through out the main living area downstairs.  

We got our old countertops removed, without breaking the backsplash, got the new one installed, the hole for the cooktop cut, and holes for the new faucet and soap dispenser as well, all done in 6 hours, it would had probably been 5 had it not been for the problematic sink, they could not get it in because it's so big, so they had to remove the granite again in order to put the sink in.  And because the sink is also very low, my contractor had to remove the garbage disposal, other wise I would have needed to get the main drain line moved lower, and that was a headache I did not want to deal with.  

Here are two before pictures:

Overall, I love the new granite!  So much better than the laminate we had before, and I love the cut I choose.  I would eventually like to get a new backsplash, but I am thankful we were able to save the one I currently have.  When the old countertops were removed, and the granite installed, there was a gap between the granite and the backsplash, so I went over with colored caulk that has sand in it, to mimic the look of grout, it turned out whiter than expected, but does not bother me so much for now.  

I decided to go for a single sink, and after seeing the one Jena has at Involving Color, I decided that was the one I had to have!  Having had a double sink all of my life, and using one for drying the dishes, I thought the single would take some time to get used to, but that has not been the case, I LOVE this sink, and if anyone out there is considering a single sink, this one is absolutely great!  The faucet is also great, very industrial looking.  I also got the matching soap dispenser, I have gone through many since we have been living here, because they fall and break, so it was time I got one that you can drill in, and won't fall (I hope).

If any one living int the DFW area is interested in getting granite countertops, I highly recommend using my contractor.  She was pleasant to work with, and I really believe I got a great price for the granite (which by the way, I had to get two slabs) and still came on budget.  Give me a shout, and I will get you in contact with her.

Hope everyone enjoyed my new kitchen, here are a list of sources:

Granite Name: Giallo Rio
Faucet: Danze from Faucetdirect.com in Stainless Steel
Soap Dispenser: Danze from Faucetdirect.com in Stainless Steel
Sink:  Krauss from Overstock.com  (of course it's Overstock ;)

Tip: I use coupons codes from couponcabin.com and retailmenot.com before I make any purchase, it really works, and it helps so much.


Hope everyone has a great week!

Kristel

Linking To: The Farmhouse Porch, Skip to my Lou, DIY Showoff, Between Naps on the Porch, Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Winthrop Chronicles, Today's Creative Blog, Hope Studios, Tip Junkie, Savvy Southern Style, We are that Family, Restore Interiors, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Shabby Creek Cottage, No Minimalist Here, House of Hepworths, At the Picket Fence, Stuff and Nonsense, Redoux, Finding Fabulous, Chic on a Shoe String Decorating, The Shabby Nest, Five Days Five Ways, Funky Junk Interiors, Delicate Construction,