Hello haylescakes, I think it just need a bit of care.. I would definitely not mix it.. Granite, like Marble or any other luxury stone, even woods do need some attention.. I have bamboo and that too requires a bit of effort.... Wiping down and a regular re oil.. However I think it is really really worth it. Also it does last and would definitely look all the better for the little bit of effort.. I also made several chopping boards with off cuts!! Gr8 way to use up the material and useful too! For colours I would look to finding something lighter than black.. I think you could really go for something amazing... Firstly though think of the colours in the kitchen... If it's a blank canvas, so to speak and any colour would work... Ie you have white worktops... Then really go for something striking... I have just found a few colours from a company online that are quite interesting..I'd say do some research into pricing and ask for samples.. Or visit a showroom to get an idea... Get as many samples as you need before deciding.. I think the more natural looking as possible... Some of them can look manufactured.. You could also add a small splash back panel.. Narrow is quite tasteful, the have a really chalky matt paint on the walls and matt paint for the cupboards..... Lastly think of finish.. squared off edges are in my eyes more tasteful.. but you can look at that and decide what you like the look of :)) Cosmic black... Siena BordeauxVerde MarinaceKinawa

My initial reaction to the photos was that the kitchen units' colour somehow didn't quite 'gel' in the room and I was rather hoping colourhappy would come in and be able to cast her professional eye over it. I still really like the granite and I agree that at least changing the lower units will work. Perhaps the upper units need changing too? J Pleass, would you consider doing that?

Thanks Isla. He hand polished it all with Lithothin Stain Stop (https://www.protilertools.co.uk/product/lithofin-mn-stain-stop--choice-of-size-?gclid=CjwKCAiA8NKtBhBtEiwAq5aX2B_jSTe2vU64_eQh4-KEIs-IxvBdcXFP-pTwlXEYRXeLQR9lzUVz1hoCbcQQAvD_BwE) He had a mitred end panel and he machine polished that mitre edge but other than that no other machine polishing. When I asked if it only need hand polishing he said no polishing he does can contend with the polishing it comes with from the manufacturer. Would be amazing if that hazy, bitty film could go and look like it does in the first two pictures all the time.

After months of deliberation and stupid amounts of cash spent on testers, our kitchen was finished today! After a while we became blind to all the samples - they literally all blurred into a big neutral mess. I really really wanted F&B Cord, but no one else liked it - in fact absolutely everyone hated it! In the end we went with F&B Stony Ground. I really like it - but it seems a bit browner now that it’s everywhere! (Not a bad thing - but it was just a reality check about how colours play games with your brain 😂)