Hot pots should stay on the stove, on a stone/metal trivet or on a thick butcher block that can be scorched and put away. The heat from hot pots and pans can discolor whatever is on/in the granite (sealers, cooking oil in the porous surface), cause seams to open on engineered stone and solid surface tops. Suggest your read the Use and Care Manuals published by the manufacturers available on line.

Do you have wood floors elsewhere if so use the wood in the kitchen too.

I wanted to put in the title - "Does Size Matter?" because that is what my design dilemma is all about :-). So I have learned that my kitchen design in the new build of my townhome has resulted in my kitchen island having a seam in the countertop, which I am not a fan of, and wanted to get your thoughts. I am told by the kitchen company that if I do not wish to have a seam, I would need to shorten the island to around 118” in length, which means I would lose around 20” of countertop (10” on either side) and one full cabinet. Seam or shorter island? Thoughts?

So I have learned that my kitchen design in the new build of my townhome has resulted in my kitchen island having a seam in the countertop, which I am not a fan of, and wanted to get your thoughts. I am told by the kitchen company that if I do not wish to have a seam, I would need to shorten the island to around 118” in length, which means I would lose around 20” of countertop (10” on either side) and one full cabinet. Photo below is without it being shortened. Seam or shorter island? And I would ideally like to sit 5 people at the island -Can/should I go even shorter than 118"? Thoughts? I need to get back to the developer today latest so please appreciate any thoughts.