I put granite countertops in my kitchen when we remodeled two years ago. I love the granite. There are so many color and finish choices....more than just what was available a few years ago. My suggestion, if you have an EXPO design center near by go take a look at the different options. With granite, you go to the fabricator's and select your actual slabs. There are natural variations in the stone so just looking at a sample won't really give you a good perspective. My granite was sealed by the fabricator's and I have had no staining issues at all. They look as beautiful as the day they were installed. I have a fancy edge on my countertops, which adds to the cost, but also adds a lot of flare to the countertops. I also have two sinks in my kitchen, one with one hole cut out, the other with two holes. The main sink is a copper farm house sink. The other is a round copper sink. Both are undermounts. I have corian in my master bath, but I really regret not putting in granite. I really don't like it very much...it looks too plastic to me. If you do go with granite, make sure to discuss where the seams will fall. That can impact on your selection....for instance if you have a L shaped corner, you have to make sure that they can do it seamlessly...otherwise you'll have unmatched pattern ends that might really stand out. I think a new countertop and sink are excellent ways to spruce up a perfectly funcitonal kitchen. You may also want to consider new cabinet hardware as well. Oh, and don't forget the back splash too. I did mine in tumbled marble. It really compliments the granite.
