My first thought is that you need something that "reads" white, very much like the green kitchen photo you posted. I am seeing something with a heavy gray component and maybe some warmth in it, too. Look at Tumbled Roca. I am only looking at a computer screen, not actual chips, but this Tumbled Roca looks like it would coordinate nicely with the Oiled Soapstone for the perimeter and the maple cabs. Everyone seems to like dark counters these days, but I lean towards light colors for both function and aesthetics. My BIL, who is an architect and a great cook puts a lot of thought into his kitchen designs. (His clients often do not use an ID or KD.) He feels that the single most influential surface WRT lightness and brightness in a kitchen is the counter top. I also feel deeply concerned about your white appliances. (Yes, I am feeling melodramatic today!) I am afraid that you need something in there to tie in the white range and fridge. If everything becomes dark, they're going to stick out like two sore thumbs. As for the cabs looking yellow, have you switched out your light bulbs? If they are regular incandescents, try using Reveal for a clearer light. It will shift the color in that room. Do it before you make any other color choices because it will effect everything!

Whoa Nellie!!!!! Someone told you to stay away from Marble? Shame on them! First off Marble has been around for 1000s of years. Octavia herself had marble surrounding her when she put on her makeup. Some of the greatest chefs who roamed the planet cooked on Marble. Being Italian I have to say Marble is the way to go. And Greeks, Italinos and NYC cooks can all agree that rolling out dough on a marble surface is a dream. Yes, Marble etches. Yes, Marble can stain and Yes Marble has a reputation for being sensitive. But Marble is BEAUTIFUL. And Marble is not as difficult to care for as most people believe. It can be cleaned with Bleach. Yes, good ole fashioned bleach. I do not mean Comet or one of those powder bleaches. They can scratch. Every 5-10 years have it re-honed or treated by a stone expert. They can buff to perfection. And of course Seal your marble every 6 months. You would have to thie with Blue or Emerald Pearl granite. And you really can't bleach your granite. That could create some ugly whitish looking marks. In a bathroom bleach is a great cleaner and even better with MARBLE. How to clean Marble from E-How http://www.ehow.com/how_4870687_clean-marble.html ".....One of the best cleaners you can use on your cultured marble is a bleach water solution. Use a 2/1 ratio of bleach and water to clean your cultured marble. Spray the surface with this solution and wipe with a soft cloth. Always keep the cultured marble wet while working on it. To fill fine scratches and restore shine, try a small amount of car/appliance wax, or silicone sealer...." Okay lets look at Marble for your bathroom. I really think you need to reconsider Marble for your bathroom. Ask the gang over in Kitchens. There are many who love their Marble. And some of these folks use vinegar, lemon, tomato sauce and olive oil which we all know can stain it. These are all from Decorpad... Park Hyatt Sydney Marble Carrera thid Old House Siegrist After NOW. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK below at how beautiful marble would be with your auburn stain. Sorry I sound pushy, I just can help but think you want Marble and the entire Pearl search was because you were accidentally misguided. If I am wrong. Please forgive me. At least you have had fun thinking about options. ~boxer Marble Statuario Venato Calcutta Gold ( a few streaks to go with the Auburn stain) Carrera Marble Venatino Marble Here is a link that might be useful: Why NOT do Marble?

hlove: The thought has also occurred to me that the color difference between the sink and stove might be minimized with wood lowers. I know the paper looks grey but it is definitely a lavender-ey grey in real life. Lavender: you have a good memory! Don't think there will be brick on the fireplace. The contenders right now are the same stone that you see on the outside of the house (there is a wall of it in the kitchen right now that we could repurpose) or something river-rock-ish. We could do anything finish-wise since it's going to be gutted to the studs. The fireplace only exists on the plan...there is no fireplace currently so that's totally open, too. The only thing I was kind of wanting and I thought the back of the fireplace might be a good spot is a place to hang all my cast iron pans. I was thinking I could use the pine boards either the honey or the white washed (or something else. It'll be easier for you if you always insert "or something else" after every idea that I have, lol)there to have something to put hooks into. That fridge wall between the door and back of the fireplace is about 93", give or take. I was wanting to have (going left from the fireplace wall) a 36" wide pantry, a 30" or 32" fridge and whatever I have left for a base next to the doorway... maybe a 24 or 21". I don't use a microwave so that's not a factor. I was thinking the base to the left of the fridge could be my coffee 'bar' area. This entry: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/laundry-room-with-a-view-traditional-laundry-room-toronto-phvw-vp~77496) [traditional laundry room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-laundry-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_753~s_2107) by toronto general contractor HARDROCK CONSTRUCTION' is almost exactly how my entry layout will look, door/wall layout wise except you'd be looking at my stove through the doorway instead of the DW. And this: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entry-traditional-entry-minneapolis-phvw-vp~368872) [traditional entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by minneapolis kitchen and bath Rik Lalim is generally how it's going to be finished. Honey pine ceiling, whitewashed pine wall, bench and some little bit of storage. I was thinking that whatever flooring I choose for the kitchen will carry out to the entry so as not to chop it up too much. It's going to double as an entry/mudroom. As for the porch, I was thinking a small table for the two of us with leaves or extenders for the times when we have ten or more people over to eat inside. So, you see that all the main living spaces need to have a cohesive feel or a flow to the design/decor. I'm feeling that you are understanding it. I know the fabrics, curtains pillows will go a long way towards that 'flow'. And thank you (and everyone) again for your time. This is way more fun not to mention more productive than only having myself for feedback.

Now that I see pic, I realize I was picturing your wood edge differently. Don't let dh read this, but I actually think they are nice. I just think the pure plain white counter is a little jarring against that. If you did the one you described that had some "movement" in it, I'd bet it would look so much nicer. Anything that is not so stark white will help. I also imagine that they show everything as I have old pale peach ones now and they drive me nuts. Of course I want clean counters, but mid-cooking, it bothers me how I have to keep stopping to wipe, lol. Having a multi tone, even a very light one, will not make every crumb stand out from a mile away. I think I'd go with new formica on the tops if I did not like stone. Since you already have wood cabs and a wood floor, I don't think I'd go with a wood counter. If it is not too presumptuous, I think a new backsplash to go with the new counters would refresh the whole look. It need not be pricey either, just a little less plain. If you have access to a Habitat for Humanity Restore or similar, or try ebay, you can pick up tile very reasonably and then use your creativity to add some zing. HD & Lowes have some nice choices these days too. Btw- I love a nice all-white backsplash, just not the 4 x 4s laid upright with no accent pieces or liners. I adore tile and the options to make it special and unique. It really sets the tone for the kitchen due to nature of how one sees it right away from a distance. You can't be as creative with other elements to the same extent.