<p>Why not take a sample of the cabinet and go to the granite place and search that way? Fun, fun, fun!</p>
<p>Granite will look so dated in ten years.</p>
<p>CF…I put what I liked in my house. If the next person doesn’t like my granite…they can pay to change it. Ditto my new white appliances, my hardwood floors, my stained custom moldings, etc.</p>
<p>The OP is talking about rental units. That would imply more concern about others’ tastes.</p>
<p>Ok…for a rental unit, I would choose something durable and neutral in color. But then…that’s what I chose for my own house too :)</p>
<p>This can be very market specific. If I put the same soapstone sink and honed black granite countertops that I have in NH into my SWFL home it would not be received as favorably. I have had many kitchens, and the easiest to live with have granite counter tops with a medium polish, little movement and a neutral color. There is a reason that “builder beige” sells.</p>
<p>It’s sad, isn’t it? I refuse to decorate (or not decorate) because of the fear of “what will sell.” However, I understand that for renters who can’t change things out, landlords may have to appeal to more pedestrian tastes.</p>
<p>go to gardenweb.com <a href=“http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0511411422235.html[/url]”>http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0511411422235.html</a></p>
<p>in the linked post there is a link to “finished kitchen blogs” Lots and lots of photos and input.</p>
<p>I like a little warmth in the kitchen. Black may go out of style and your granite will be there to stay. I’d get a dark granite with tones of the wood in it. The dark beige/brown/golden type. You may be able to find one with the tone of the wood in it. Whiter and lighter stones can be more porous and may stain if not kept sealed. If it’s a rental I would not get the light stones because they may not be taken care of (spilled wine could be left to sit)</p>
<p>I love my granite and my porcelain kitchen tile floors. Both are almost indestructible and hide the dirt amazingly well (another perk of patterned counters vs. solid white/black–dust will show on black)</p>
<p>I like the look of wood in the kitchen, but with my floor I can rest easy knowing it won’t get cut by a knife, scratched by the dog, or a backback being dragged, or a hot pot, or boiling water or anything! (You didn’t ask about floors, but I couldn’t resist!)</p>
<p>Njfbmom I am another fan of porcelain tile. Last year I steam cleaned the grout and now the 14 year old floor looks newly installed. My stone floors needed to be replaced in less than half that time.</p>
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<p>LOL, that’s what people said 20 years ago, yet people are still demanding it, even in new construction.</p>
<p>I’m learning so much from your replies! Your personal experiences and reviews are exactly what I need most. </p>
<p>I’d never heard of Gardenweb, but am about to change that for the positive.</p>
<p>Continued appreciation to the CC community – wish I could have you all over for coffee and tea.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned Uba Tuba upthread. Dark granite with lighter, almost metallic flecks throughout. It has been extremely low maintenance other than the fact that it does show fingerprints. If someone spills milk and doesn’t wipe properly but instead just smears the spill, that shows up in the light.</p>
<p>Counters look as good as new 17 years later except the area next to the main sink which has pitted a bit. Perhaps if I had ever resealed it, I would not have this problem now.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned floors……I love the hardwood floors we have in the kitchen, as they are comfortable on the back and feet and forgiving when glasses are dropped, but they show wear in heavy traffic spots such as immediately in front of the refrigerator. Time for refinishing.</p>
<p>It’s a smallish U-shaped urban kitchen - Standing room only, no place to dance a waltz, but there’s room enough for two to cook inside the U if they like each other a lot.</p>
<p>It’s constantly visible from the living room. The only light is interior. </p>
<p>One leg of the U is a slightly curved eat-upon peninsula. It’ll have 4 chairs pulled up facing into the kitchen, with backs to the living room.</p>
<p>“Granite will look so dated in ten years.” - I think so too. What choices would have more longevity? </p>
<p>I’ve read that granite varies a lot. Some will need resealing to avoid water stains, other will not.</p>
<p>If you get white-ish, do not get White/Gold Kashmir. The stuff stains like a sieve and you can’t keep up with the sealing. Some whites are OK. Best to get a sample and do a staining test as someone mentioned above.</p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine anything that won’t look dated in 10 years. The home improvement industry would love for everyone to jump on the latest trends. But no worries, if you wait 50 years or so it will come back in style. Note the current mid-century modern trend. Which means that in another 10 years those shag carpets and avocado green appliances will be prized again :)</p>
<p>[Picking</a> granite that isn’t/won’t become dated - Kitchens Forum - GardenWeb](<a href=“http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0906021518126.html]Picking”>http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0906021518126.html)</p>
<p>IMO, this is one of those areas where there is no “right” answer, since everyone has her/his own opinion, likes, dislikes, etc.</p>
<p>We just moved into our newly built home on the RI shore. There are tons of windows and natural light. The floors (except entryway, baths, & laundry room) are natural maple. Kitchen cabinets are natural maple. All the counters (kitchen & baths) are the same honed Jet Mist granite. [Jet</a> Mist Honed ENO101410](<a href=“http://www.elemarnewengland.com/images/Granite/Black/slides/Jet%20Mist%20Honed%20ENO101410.html]Jet”>http://www.elemarnewengland.com/images/Granite/Black/slides/Jet%20Mist%20Honed%20ENO101410.html)
The stone fabricator told us about a new stain resistant sealer that is guaranteed - as in if there’s a stain we can’t get out, they’ll replace the stone! It wasn’t all that expensive, so to me it was a no brainer. (I was mostly concerned about things like oil stains on the honed surface.) Dust on the counters doesn’t seem to be an issue. We love the look; YMMV.</p>
<p>CBB…so what is the name of that sealer!</p>
<p>@thumper1 - right, I knew that question would come up! 
We’re not at the house at the moment, but I will post when we get back. Can’t remember off-hand.</p>
<p>I recently redid my kitchen with cherry cabinets, chocolate glaze stain, with satin nickel handles/knobs. Off white quartz counter tops with gray/black marbling, never needs sealing, and is factory sanitized. Love it! There is one seam, but it is barley noticeable. All the appliances are black. Glass/cracked backsplash. Sink, faucet, and new light fixture trims are all the satin nickel, as are the switch plates.</p>
<p>The place gets wows from everybody.</p>
<p>Silestone,Lyra, is my company/pattern.</p>