This one!

I only see one choice, but it's beautiful. I vote for it and the white tile.

This one

Here's choice #2. More demure, but no white to tie in with tile.

This should help. So much easlier if both pictures are in the same thread.

This is the first choice:

And choice #2:

Easy decision for me. Choice #1 looks fabulous and has my vote!

Here it is, don't know why I'm having posting problems tonight.

#1 GETS MY VOTE!

No one for #2? I'm surprised, I thought everyone would go with the softer slab. Many of you like the softer quartzite and I thought #2 looked closer to it. Please continue to vote!! Thanks.

No doubt. #1. Love the movement!

#1!

Hello little arabesque friend

I LOVE the first granite.

#1 for sure

#1. Not the slightest doubt!

To me they're both soft. I like the movement and lines of #1 better.

#1, because the second one looks like it should have an off white tile. It looks beige to me!

Beautiful!

Nancy

Wow. It's unanimous so far. Love the movement in #1. Beautiful!

From the picture, #1 is more beautiful, but really the look isn't complete until you take into account of cabinet style, lighting, appliances.

I am a #2 person (that sounds bad!!). I prefer less movement and wouldn't care for the big color changes with the gray and white splotches. Both are beautiful pieces of stone.

Your backsplash is certainly plain enough in color to tolerate all the movement in #1 well.

Oh absolutely number ONE, love it!

#1. No contest.

I would tell them not to use that big gray splotch! That's really the only thing that bothers me about it.

I just did my kitchen with black cabs and river white granite that looks like the same lot as yours. I love the movement - always something new to look at. Fwiw, we're working on backsplash and I think going with random strips of Carrera marble.

Definitely #1

Looks like #2 is Kashmir White or River White--may be a lower price point than #1. Both are beautiful. Before you decide, I would definitely get a look at the materials in the position you will see them in everyday--the granite needs to be flat like it will be on top of your cabinets and the tile needs to be placed at a 90 degree angle to the granite as it would be on the wall. When you change the positioning of the materials the way they look & how the different colors appear can change based the light shining on them/reflecting off of them differently. Many on the forum suggest picking the granite & have it installed and finalize the backsplash later for just this reason.

Hope this helps!

#1!!!!!! Love it

#1, - I think #2 has alot of blue in it.

Number 1 by a landslide. Just love it!!

Number one no question!

I love # 1 by a long shot.

My vote is for #1. Stunning!!

I trust you that #1 has some white in it to tie to the backsplash. I'm definitely not seeing any of it in #2.

So, #1 it is!

I love the big grey "splotch" as you called it. I think it adds character to the stone and makes it unique. I would absolutely want to use it.

#1 for sure. I even like the gray splotch. My biggest regret with my granite is that it is too subtle, played it safe. It doesn't have enough pizzazz. I was a chicken....

I think you will be happier with #1. I am also a "marble person," I have it in my kitchen, master, butlers pantry and fireplace surround. I wanted it in dd's bath and the guest bath, but I chickened out since dd is 9 and I thought she would ruin it. Granite yard said Kashmir white was a good sub for marble. To me, it absolutely is not! Like your slab #2, it has those annoying small freckles (I call them :) ) and no white to speak of. It looks harsh to me in her bath with the soft paint colors and crystal hardware...I really don't like it...but maybe I am comparing it to the marble I see everyday, I don't know.

But anyway...all that to say that #1 looks much better to me!

I think they're both great and it completely depends what sort of overall look you're aiming for. #1, obviously, is busier. #2 more demure, symmetrical, orderly. Personally, out of context and with the fantastic, interesting tile you obviously want to highlight, I could see why you might opt for #2. It will not draw the thunder from the arabesque. If your love is the marble itself, #1 is clearly more dramatic. You will be measuring and sweeping across much heppening. That may or may not appeal to you.

OTOH you could argue since the color of the arabesque is so plain, having more pizazz in the stone is indicated. I think it matters to how you want things to feel; happening or not. To my eye, the smaller pattern doesn't look annoying and "freckly", but you have to be in front of it to know that. Are there sparkly inclusions? Etc.

If you can stand the forwardness of it, I would agree asking the yard to place each of the slabs horizontal might be a really good idea and way to test the busy-ness to your eye. Me, I would have felt shy to ask but I'm a jerk that way. Definitely, it's an important question and you should try to do the experiment if you can. And in the light closest to your kitchens' as well. Inside if you've few windows, outside if you don't.

No doubt in my mind....#1 all the way
You won't be sorry.

Both are really beautiful, but I too prefer #1.

Can you tell me what both granites are? Is #2 river white?

Oh, number one is gorgeous!

Lovely! My favorite is #1.

I love #1! We will have the same backsplash (just got our shipment) and I have Moon Night (aka Super White) Quartzite.

Just from how you described them it sounds like you really want #1, so I think you should go for it.

#1 goes better with your shirt. #1 is the prettier, more dramatic, more like art, stone, but I like boring countertops in general so I'd probably go with #2.

#1 is stunning! #2 is really lovely. But seeing them horizontal may make a difference to you. You have good taste.

#1 Love it!

I love your first choice with the Arabesque!

#1-- Beautiful!

Love, love, love #1.

There is no question in my mind on this one. That granite does not fight the arabesque and it is just so beautiful. Great job finding it. (PS what are they both called for people who find this thread in future?)

Can you tell us what #1 is?

my vote is #1!

#1 all the way!

Thanks, everyone. #1 is called White Eyes granite. #2 is Kashmir White.

In the end, I'm going for Cambria Torquay. Both granite pieces had little freckles. When I showed a small sample to my DIL, she said they looked like drops of dried blood. We were just talking about an attempted murder case, so that's probably what made her spurt that out!

I love the first stone especially, but decided to go for a cleaner, more marble look countertop. I will pop color into the kitchen with lots of bright accessories.