Selecting Granite

Over the past couple of weeks, I have spent considerable time with several clients selecting the perfect stone for their bathroom or kitchen countertops. During the process, I have found myself repeating some of the same phrases. I thought you might find them helpful if you are selecting a countertop in the near future.

1. “It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. There’s a lot here.” Walking into a granite warehouse can feel daunting. There are thousands of slabs.  So many beautiful things! Which one do you choose? You don’t want to make the wrong decision! Take a deep breath. Recognize that it is ok to feel overwhelmed and then take it one slab at a time.
2. “Start by walking through the entire place and making note of the slabs that grab your attention.” Don’t overanalyze why you like a specific piece on the first pass. Get a good feel of what is there and what grabs your attention. You might be surprised how your expectations change.
3. “Step back and look at the bigger picture.” Don’t focus on that tiny spot, but step back and take in the blending of colors for the whole picture.
4. “Now let’s begin the process of elimination.” It’s always important to bring samples of the cabinet, flooring or other prominent accents in the rest of the room to compare with the slab of granite or marble you are considering.
5. “Let’s compare all the slabs of that color.” Ask the warehouse staff to spread out the stack of slabs in the color you are considering. This is especially important if you need more than one slab for your project.
6. “Are we happy with the decision?” If you can’t leave happy, don’t commit. This is a large element in your kitchen and bathroom and it’s important that it be right.

Are you going to be selecting a granite or marble slab in the near future? I’d love to hear how it goes and what you learn! Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com.