Preparing for the New Countertop

We finally got around to starting the process for the new counter top. With the dishwasher in place, we knew how far the new counter edge will need to extend and get a more accurate measurement. So we had a guy over to take down dimensions and get us a couple estimates for a few different types.

Once we decided on a material (granite, Stonemark) and a color/pattern (Black Pearl), we made the order. I was really nervous, because this is probably the most important decision we've had to make about the house design so far. It's an expensive project, sure, but the pipe replacement was more. But that you can't see, while the counter top is basically the centerpiece of the kitchen and dining room. I the color wasn't right it could throw off our whole design plan.

Between making the order and having the template made, we had to decide on a new sink. We definitely wanted an undermount sink, but didn't want the standard undermount that was offered with the counter top installation package.

We looked at Home Depot and online and found the right shape, size, and features that we wanted in this Vigo undermount kitchen sink:

The thing we liked most about this was the low center divider, which you can see in the stock photo above. We never fill the sink to capacity and the lower center will make it easer for cleaning large items or moving things between the two basins. And yes, we actually bought our kitchen sink on Amazon. 

When looking at Home Depot, we really liked this drain and strainer on Elkay sinks, and were able to find and buy those separately:

Even though we had purchased a new faucet for the house last year, we agree that this was a good time to make a faucet upgrade as well. We really liked the way larger arch faucets looked and researched those, finally deciding on Moen Kleo faucet with integrated pull-down sprayer:

We had everything picked out and on site when the counter top company sent the guys to take the final measurements and make the template:

In order to get the right size template for the new counter, they removed the existing backsplash, which you can see has been done in the above photo. 

Below is a reminder of the old backsplash and also what the old counter top looked like:

Post with photos of the new counter top coming soon!