Leathered stone countertops?

[jerseyj]

Originally Posted by michibillybarb

The home that I bought here in Charleston, SC last winter has leathered granite counter tops. They are FABULOUS! Cleaning is a breeze; no hand/finger prints show at all. They are quite the conversation piece when new guests see them. None of the 'depressions' that are 'etched' out hold food or anything else.

My countertops are very dark black/gray with some veins of brown, and they are gorgeous. My next home will have them as well. I would post a picture but I don't know how.

Would love to see a picture of your kitchen counter tops! We have polished granite kitchen countertops (absolute black) and a large slab of leather honed granite for the fireplace hearth. Love them both!

The leather honed was a bit more expensive than the polished.

The leather honed is quite interesting, very textured so I would be worried about the upkeep in the kitchen.

[luv4horses]

I have seen this in person on an architectural tour. The effect is that the granite looks like a more natural stone selection. There is no polished 'shine'. The machine made irregularities are on a micro scale so that there are no real peaks and valleys, just a slight intimation of such. The effect is to cause zero interference with the beauty of the cabinetry or the kitchen design. They are nicer than simply honed counters, but they would likely be the most expensive surface available for granite because of the steps involved.

[kmm516]

After a fabricator cut a leather piece of granite, how is the cut edge left. Are they supposed to leather the edges or is it honed finish.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by kmm516

After a fabricator cut a leather piece of granite, how is the cut edge left. Are they supposed to leather the edges or is it honed finish.

Those that I have seen are honed. The matte finish works well with leather finish yet leaves no irregular surface that can damage/snag clothing.