We have a black sink and stainless appliances. We also have Oak cabinets. Was wondering what color granite you recommend? - Richard

Hello Richard,

I definitely recommend a light brown with some black highlights/veining. Sucury is a good one for example, but there are others.

Look at all the brown colors on www.GraniteStock.com. Also, consider a black or gun metal color faucet.

I am putting cherry colored cabinets in my kitchen. What colored granite countertop will go with the cabinets. - Lakshmi

Hello Lakshmi,

There are so many color choices that I can best recommend looking at the huge selection on GraniteStock.com to find the color you like.

There are similar warm colors like Juperana Bordeaux and Red Dragon, while there are equally attractive cool colors like Bianco Romano and Giallo Ornamental that work very well with Cherry cabinets. You really need to spend time looking around. Be patient and choose the one the ‘moves’ you!

We have a black sink,a dishwasher with a black front, a stove with a black top and a stainless front, a refrigorator with black sides and stainless front. Our cabinets are oak. We wondered if you thought a Verde Lucia granite countertop would look ok. - Patty

Hello Patty,

It would tropical, romantic and handsome. Not morning, sunny or family.

A 1925 American 4-Square Home. Our new kitchen design is a 15 foot long U shape. We will have industrial stainless appliances. We have chosen espresso stained oak cabinetry. The floor is hardwood. We will have one long wall with Chicago style brick under the cabinets as well as one 8 foot open area between countertop and ceiling for artwork. We have 2 original windows at the far end of the kitchen so minimal natural light so we are adding additional lighting. What type of countertop to you envision for this space? We thought granite but we are unsure if we should go light to brighten it up or a darker to keep with the period look. We love the granite that shows movement. Thanks for your help again. - Julie

Hello Julie,

I hope you consider Red Dragon from Brazil for an old world, romantic form. Otherwise, there are nice sage green colors like Costa Esmeralda that would brighten the room, yet maintain the 20’s charm. For an edge detail, select a flat polish and try to use 3cm thick stone.

We are struggling with the granite color to go with our light oak cabinets, white appliances and off white tile floors. Can you make a few suggestions? - Stacy

Hello Stacy,

There just so many good colors to choose from and I would suggest looking at all the colors on www.GraniteStock.com. However, stay away from light golds and yellows that will wash out with the light oak cabinets. Well, I guess that I will make three suggestions… Tan Brown, Arandis or Geriba.

Greetings Tom. We purchased a bathroom vanity with a granite countertop. The granite goes by the name of Atlantis and is the traditional forest green and black color. Prior to purchasing the vanity we purchased a bathroom faucet which we would like to use. However we’ve just realized that the holes which were drilled in the granite will not fit the faucet mechanisms as the faucet does not have two handles but only has one handle for the hot/cold tap. Can we drill into the granite ourselves? What tools do we need? How readily does granite crack or split? Thank you. - Don and Wanda

Hello Don and Wanda. An experience granite person is needed to do the drilling with a diamond core bit. It can be done but you should not try it. Check www.GraniteStock.com for a professional near you and maybe they can help.

Two years ago we had a solid granite countertop installed with a 9″ deep stainless steel undermount sink. I am having plumbing leaks under the sink and am being told that the stub-out from the wall is too high and the sink is too low, therefore causing drainage (water is actually flowing down instead of horizontal) and leaking connection problems. Also, one of the sinks is offset at the back so the connection at the stub-out is very close to the outside wall.

I was told that the stub-out can be moved by tearing out the wall behind the cabinets, but would prefer to remove and re-install a lesser depth sink if I can find one with the same sink pattern.

How difficult is the undermount sink to remove? I am thinking of having a lesser depth sink installed. Is removing the sink a task that me as a layman can do or do I need to have a granite person do this? Thanks for your help.

Hello. Unfortunately I do not know how your original sink is mounted. If it is wedge between plywood and the granite, then you must route out the wood in order to drop the sink. This is not easy but can be done. You must look under the sink to see what is involved. If your sink is epoxied to the granite, then forget trying to remove it.

I would contact a good handyman to inspect the work that needs to be done. Then get your sink prior to actually doing the work. You might not find another sink that fits. Also, you are going to have to come up with a clip system to hold the new sink up. I am sorry but I just don’t have enough information about your current installation to consult you properly. I do think that a good handyman can pull this off though.

Hi - I’m seriously considering using Rainforest Brown for kitchen countertops but am confused as to whether it is a marble or granite (I’ve seen it labled both ways) and want to know what its durability and maintenance would be for this type of use. I have used Rainforest Green as a fireplace surround and absolutely love the movement in this stone - if the Rainforest is not suitable for kitchen countertops, does anything come to mind that has similar movement and would be better suited? Thank you! - Kristin

Hello Kristin. Rainforest Green is a metamorphic stone from India. It is not a granite and does not have the same quartz and feldspar minerals. It is softer than granite and will scratch with a knife. If you can handle a higher maintenance countertop, then use it. It is very beautiful and there is nothing similar in my opinion. There is a photo of an installed kitchen in Rain Forest Green on the second “showroom” page of www.HomeGranite.com

I have Uba Tuba with my faucet, sprayer, and hot water dispenser all sitting directly on/through the granite. As you can imagine, the hard water spots are terrible around the faucets. I know that I am not supposed to use vinegar but what will remove the hard water? Our water is VERY hard. Thanks. — Jill

Hello Jill. Vinegar will not harm your granite but it will remove the sealer that protects it. You can use it, but just remember to re-seal the granite afterward. I would first try TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) from the hardware store.

Dear Tom:
We are in the middle of choosing a granite countertop. Our kitchen is on the smaller side and so far we feel that we want to have it not appear any smaller. We do not have a large countertop space. The color that we are looking at is Kashmir White. I do not want seams and so far this is the only piece that is in the size I need (121 inches). What do you think about this color? I now have painted white cabinets and plan on repainting them in a coffee with cream color or in the taupe colors. The hardware will be changed to brushed nickel or silver. Will that be too boring? I plan on installing an undermount sink stainless and appliances will be white or stainless with black accents. I have a light taupe color on the walls now and need a color theme. I would like a kitchen with some pop and some warmth. I do not want cold and sterile. Also I have beige tile with white veining on the floor and that will not be replaced. I am afraid that all this beige will be too boring. I could punch up the walls and window treatments with some color but am unsure as to what direction to go in to compliment the rest of the stuff. Please help with any suggestions you may have. - Lori

Hello Lori. Kashmir White is the same granite color that I have in my kitchen. I love the color but I do not think it will go well with beige and white vein tile on the floor. Take another close look at this. If you feel it does work, then consider changing the taupe (too dull) to an almond with a relief of cranberry to accent the Kashmir White minerals. Again, just check the floor tile to see that it feel right with the granite.