thank you very much to everyone who responded! I'll look into espresso and charcoal grays. As well as the steel backplash. Emmarenes, I'm living abroad in India, and the only granites in my budget are the local ones. I was advised against the gray and white local ones because i was told that they would not hold up well in the kitchen. I could have gone with a black galaxy as well but i have that granite now and despise it because of the way it hides ants and bugs so well. we live in a tropical area and there are always critters here and there. My first choice was a Brazilian white granite but it was triple the price. This granite is called Shiva pink, so it has a pink salmon and gray look to it. Im really hoping I don't hate it once it's installed. The stoneyard was a 9 hour trip up and down and i was just pressured to make a choice after several undecided trips. And I'm getting new cabinets put in. but I think I can wait for them to put the slab before staining the wood. Thanks for that idea :)

Sonam, This finish can be achieved on multiple surfaces. Ask about distressed finish to your designer they will be able to help you. Thanks, Nitin CORNERSTONE DESIGNS Bangalore

Are you referring to Nano white crystallised glass also known as nano white marble as it replicates the look/shine of good quality white marble. Thanks, Nitin CORNERSTONE DESIGNS Bangalore

Hi Shivam, The first two are natural stones whereas tiles are processed in a factory and are usually thinner than the stones due to their natural composition and individual strengths. As far as the stones are concerned, marble is softer and more porous than granite with few exceptions. Marbles are more often used in India as flooring materials whereas granite is used more often for kitchen platforms because of its high resistance to heat and stains, as compared to marble. Tiles come in a wide range of finishes and grades, along with its cheaper pricing, making it a more preferred option for budget conscious constructions. These are a few key differences, for an in-depth comparison you can always browse a few websites. I hope this was helpful :) Regards Ar. Nilanshu Kadu W.E.I.R.D