Hello UpstateGirl, The rim is secured to the underside of your counter top and is intended to be completely hidden. When cutting the counter, it is best to include a small overhang to make sure that the entire rim is concealed. If you need additional assistance, please reach out to us directly. Our Technical Support team is standing by to take your call. They can be reached at techsupport@toto.com or call 1-888-295-8134 between 8am - 8pm Mon - Fri EST and press 4 when prompted. We also have live chat on the TOTO USA website. I hope this helps and thank you for choosing TOTO.