Sometimes the Best Choice is Counter-intuitive: 14

We've remodeled more than one kitchen. In fact, we're sort of famous in our own little circle for taking on major remodeling jobs, starting up just fine, going great guns until we're about 90% finished and then taking a long time to finish that last 10%. And here's the best part--as soon as we finish, we move. Not on purpose, but it works out that way.

We're really into colorful tile countertops, which are somewhat out of style these days. Granite is now the thing for counters. And builders and designers often promote it as somehow "in tune" with the earth, a natural choice for green living. But in fact, when you think about it, granite isn't earth friendly at all. Oh, it's earth friendly enough when it's sitting in the earth. The problem arises when you drag a huge chunk of it into your house--probably from halfway around the world.

First of all, granite has to be mined, and digging a humongous hole in the land and removing the rock leaves behind, at best, a major scar. It can also upset the surrounding ecology in ways that depend upon the details of the granite's (former) location. Well, you might say, you have to break some eggs to make an omelet. But how many eggs and how important is the omelet?

And talk about non-renewable. Not much in the way of new granite is springing up these days. Although to be fair, not much of the stuff we need to make solid surface counters--oil--is popping up, either.

But, then there's the shipping. Is it coming from a few hundred miles away? That's not great. But is it coming from, say, China to New Jersey? Think of the fossil-fuel cost of shipping this massive material to millions of kitchens throughout the United States. It seems that when you examine it, some natural things may be better off left where they are--in nature--unless there's a really good reason not to.

One of the interesting, newer alternatives that has caught my eye is recycled glass. You can even get that granite-y look, if you want to, although to be honest, it's not to my taste. Kitchens filled with granite always look like mausoleums to me. I really like the Medici Chapel in Florencebut I don't particularly want my kitchen to look like that, anymore than I want my living room ceiling to look like the Sistine Chapel. And while we're on the subject, I'm not at all fond of the current style in ceramic tile that makes everyone's floor and bathroom counter look like something out of Pompeii, but that's another topic for another day.

Recycled glass sounds like a great alternative. The number of styles available can be endless. It certainly isn't porous, it won't burn and it doesn't vent itself of various noxious gases after you install it. The next time we need to redo a kitchen, it's definitely on my list. Sounds great for my kitchen. Then, while I'm cooking, I can hum ...lookin' through a glass on-ion... with real feeling.

With a wink to Lennon-McCartney for that one.