Finally: Our Dream Portomare Quartzite Kitchen Counters Are Expertly Installed!

After a painstaking wait that stretched over a year, the moment we’ve long anticipated has arrived! Our previously flawed and poorly installed stone counters have been triumphantly removed and replaced with the kitchen of our dreams. It’s been a long and winding road, filled with challenges and moments of near despair, but the breathtaking beauty of our newly installed Portomare Quartzite makes every single hurdle worth it. For those who followed our initial struggles, here’s a reminder of the initial installation mishaps. Now, prepare to be captivated by the stunning transformation below:

The Unforgettable Journey to Our Dream Kitchen Counters

This renovation journey has been nothing short of an odyssey. What began with excitement quickly turned into a frustrating and prolonged experience. For anyone considering a significant home renovation, especially involving natural stone, our story serves as a testament to perseverance and the importance of finding the right professionals. Below, we’ve condensed the timeline of events, recounting the dramatic saga that unfolded over the past year since we announced the removal of the original counters.

• September 2021: The Initial Hunt for Perfection
  Our quest began with countless hours spent poring over photos, researching various stone options. We finally ordered a slab of quartzite, drawn to its soft aqua veins, envisioning it as the perfect center piece for our kitchen.
• December 2021: A Disappointing Mix-Up
  After months of eager anticipation, the stone slab arrived – only to be the wrong one. A significant setback, not only due to the delay but also the realization that the actual slab bore little resemblance to its online photos. This forced us to restart our search from scratch.
• January 2022: Discovering the Elusive Portomare Quartzite
  Undeterred, we embarked on a renewed search. We stumbled upon another slab, the stunning Portomare Quartzite, from a supplier not typically used by local fabricators. Convinced of its unique beauty, we persuaded our fabricator to source it.
• Mid-2022: The Slab Arrives, Followed by Heartbreak
  Six more months passed as we patiently waited for the Portomare slab. When it finally arrived, it was everything we had dreamed of – truly stunning! However, our joy was short-lived. During the installation in June 2022, the counters were **butchered**, showcasing a shocking lack of craftsmanship. You can see the painful details here.
• Summer 2022: Seeking Resolution and Support
  The company responsible for the faulty installation refused to replace the counters, offering only a refund. This devastating news led to tears and an urgent call to our cabinet company. To our immense relief, the cabinet company stepped up, promising to remove the damaged counters and supply new ones. This marked a turning point in our prolonged ordeal.
• Late 2022: The Search for a Replacement Slab Continues
  With renewed hope, we began the challenging task of finding another Portomare slab. We located several promising options, but unfortunately, the cabinet company’s preferred stone supplier faced logistical hurdles and couldn’t bring them in. The dream seemed distant once more.

Almost Giving Up: The Allure of Natural Stone vs. Engineered Options

At this point in our renovation journey, I was on the brink of giving up. The thought of simply ordering a white quartz counter from my cabinet installer became a serious consideration. Let me be clear: manufactured quartz is a beautiful and incredibly practical choice, certainly not a “lesser” option in any way. However, my personal connection to natural stone runs deep. I’ve always been fascinated by and collected rocks and minerals. Every year, I travel for hours to an amethyst mine, spending days sifting through tailings to expand my collection. In fact, I have a rock tumbler actively polishing my latest finds even as I write this!

For a decade, since we first purchased this house, I’ve eagerly anticipated the day we could renovate the kitchen and install stone counters. The sheer excitement I felt upon discovering this particular Portomare Quartzite was indescribable. Photos genuinely do not do it justice; its colors – a mesmerizing blend of teal, blue, aqua, and green – are simply gorgeous. Beyond the vibrant hues, the stone is alive with countless pockets of glittery quartz, giving every inch an amazing depth and luminosity. For the past year, even with the flawed installation, I found myself utterly entranced, staring at these counters daily. The prospect of not being able to secure this same unique stone again was profoundly disappointing, made even more frustrating by knowing other slabs existed in the world, yet remained out of reach.

A Twist of Fate: The Last Portomare Slab Was Meant to Be Ours!

Just when all hope seemed lost, a true miracle occurred. A designer who had the very last slab of this exquisite Portomare Quartzite on hold no longer needed it! This meant that, against all odds, there was one final slab of this rare, sold-out stone available to us! This discovery was a beacon of hope in our extended renovation saga. Unfortunately, our cabinet company, despite their best efforts, encountered immense difficulties arranging delivery for this unique slab.

However, they didn’t give up. Instead, they connected us with another local stone yard and fabricator, a company that graciously agreed to bring the coveted slab in for us. This pivotal moment happened in January 2023. Yet again, the waiting game ensued, with it taking approximately six months for the slab to finally be shipped to our location. The main reason for this delay? We learned that the stone yard’s location was notoriously difficult for truck drivers to access, reportedly requiring them to cross three lanes of busy traffic, leading many trucking companies and drivers to refuse the pickup. Despite these logistical headaches, once the slab was finally in transit, the process from there on went remarkably smoothly, paving the way for the transformation.

Old Counters Out, New Supports In: Prioritizing Safety and Quality

One of the most revealing parts of this process was the removal of the old, badly installed slab by the cabinet company. Their careful approach ensured that our cabinets remained undamaged. What we discovered was both surprising and, in hindsight, perhaps not so unexpected: the original counters had not been properly affixed. They were essentially just “sitting” on the cabinets, allowing for easy removal. This lack of proper installation was shocking, underscoring the poor quality of the initial job.

Furthermore, the new stone fabrication company expressed their astonishment that we had not been advised to install any form of support brackets for our 12-inch overhang. They emphasized the critical safety implications: if a stone slab of that size cracks or breaks due to insufficient support, it could lead to serious injury. Taking immediate action, our diligent cabinet company installed three sturdy brackets, effectively eliminating this safety concern and providing the crucial support our beautiful new counters deserved. This attention to detail and safety was a stark contrast to our previous experience.

The Unresolved Refund: A Waiting Game

While the physical issues were being resolved, a financial loose end remains. The original stone slabs were returned to the company that had initially offered a full refund on our deposit. Unfortunately, securing that refund has proven to be an unexpected challenge. It’s been over a month since they received the stone, and we are still owed $1500. Compounding this stress, the company has reportedly sold their building and appears to be planning the dissolution of their business. This situation has certainly added a layer of anxiety, especially since the new stone company charged us an additional $700, making that $1500 refund even more crucial! Despite this, I’m striving to remain patient, acknowledging that the company that botched the initial counters did, at least, allow us to keep and use them for an entire year. Had they insisted on an immediate return, the inconvenience would have been far greater.

Installation Round Two: Flawless Precision and Sheer Luxury!

The day of the second installation brought a fresh wave of nerves, but thankfully, this time, the process was nothing short of seamless. The new Portomare Quartzite stone is installed with absolute perfection. It fits flawlessly flush against every wall, a stark contrast to the previous gaps and imperfections. The sink area is cut with such expert precision, and most importantly, the faucet hole is perfectly centered with no hint of a crack – a detail that brings immense relief. Even the overhangs are now perfectly uniform and consistent, adding to the overall refined aesthetic.

This level of craftsmanship truly embodies luxury. Every detail speaks to the expertise and care taken by the new fabricators, transforming our kitchen into the sophisticated space we envisioned. It’s a joy to finally see the stunning stone showcased as it was meant to be.

Rethinking Design: A New Layout and Seam Location for Optimal Flow

During the new stone company’s initial measurement visit, they offered invaluable design insights that led to a significant change: the placement of the seam. This expert advice proved to be a game-changer for the overall aesthetic and flow of our kitchen countertops.

You might recall that my initial preference was to have the boldest vein of color run the entire length of the peninsula. While this choice aimed to maximize the visual impact of the vibrant hues, it unfortunately meant that the veining on the adjacent kitchen counters ran in a different, conflicting direction. This slab, with its significant neutral areas punctuated by an occasionally awkwardly placed vein of bright color, truly shines in expansive kitchens where it can be enjoyed as an uninterrupted island. Here’s a look at what that previous layout entailed:

The new company’s experts encouraged a different approach: opting for a single, strategically placed seam at the faucet. This ingenious solution allows the stunning veining on both the peninsula and the adjacent counter to flow continuously, creating a cohesive and uninterrupted visual spectacle. The trade-off, they explained, is that this seam is now located where water tends to pool, which may accelerate its breakdown and necessitate earlier touch-ups. Additionally, upon closer inspection, one can observe subtle color variations even within the neutral sections of this natural stone slab. However, these minor points are easily overshadowed by the significant aesthetic improvement.

Once the faucet is installed and our everyday kitchen items like soap dispensers are back in place, these minor details will likely blend into the overall beauty. Everything appears more pronounced during this “empty” stage of renovation. Here’s a clearer look at the harmonized veining with the new layout:

Acknowledging a Past Design Misstep: The Value of Expert Advice

It’s important for me to openly admit that I was indeed wrong with my previous placement choice. This new layout looks immeasurably better! The expertise of the new stone company truly shone through, as they were actually able to incorporate even more of the vibrant color by cutting the slab in this particular way. I am incredibly grateful to have received this invaluable advice from professionals who genuinely understood their craft and possessed a keen eye for design. When I made the placement decision the first time, the previous company rushed me through the process, providing minimal guidance. In stark contrast, this new company took their time, patiently presenting a multitude of options and explaining the nuances of each. This thoughtful, collaborative approach made all the difference, and I absolutely adore the new layout – it’s a testament to the power of skilled guidance.

A Joyous Conclusion: The Reward of Patience and Perseverance

The relief and happiness I feel at this stage are immense. I am profoundly grateful to our cabinet company, who went above and beyond by not only removing the problematic original stone but also by tirelessly assisting me in finding a new, reputable supplier. Equal gratitude goes to the new stone company, whose exceptional skill in creating precise templates and delivering an absolutely perfect installation truly transformed our kitchen. And let’s not forget the supplier, who patiently held a Portomare Slab for us – not once, but twice – for an astonishing period of six months! This kitchen renovation was undeniably delayed by the stone saga, stretching out to just about 20 months, but honestly, every single moment of waiting and every challenge faced was unequivocally worth it.

This Portomare Quartzite is quite simply STUNNING. While many people gravitate towards neutral tones, these gorgeous shades of teal, blue, aqua, and green ignite such joy within me. The depth and luminosity of the stone, with its glittering quartz pockets, are captivating. I am genuinely thrilled that my dream stone counter is now perfectly installed, gracing our kitchen with unparalleled beauty and character.

Kitchen Renovation Back on Track: The Final Stretch!

With the heart of our kitchen renovation—the countertops—now flawlessly installed, I am so ready to finally complete this kitchen transformation! The finish line is truly in sight, and the remaining tasks, while requiring attention to detail, feel incredibly manageable after everything we’ve overcome. All that’s left is to meticulously tile the backsplash (below is a reminder of the beautiful tile I chose – the Mercury Mosaics medium fish scale in Sea Mist), install a sleek new faucet, replace three electrical outlets, finish up some long-ignored baseboard trim, and then finally, enjoy the satisfying process of accessorizing and styling our refreshed space. Yay! The anticipation for the grand reveal is building, and we can’t wait to share it.

The weather has been a bit challenging lately, with persistent rain and overcast skies; the sun only made a brief appearance the other day. Consequently, I haven’t been able to capture the truly magnificent photos this space deserves. However, rest assured, once the backsplash tile is fully installed and the entire kitchen is accessorized, I will be taking a new set of high-quality photographs to properly showcase the completed transformation. I simply couldn’t contain my excitement any longer and had to share this wonderful news with you all!