We are going with NVG. I think that a hardwood stained dark brown (someone had a beautiful example on here a few days ago) would look terrific with your white cabinets. You might actually be able to find a dark black granite that would match too. (since there are flecks of black in it too).

I have NVG with an antique finish for my counters (no island for me) and I think I would try to get a dark brown or black granite for an island if I was getting one. Either that or I'd do butcher block.

So, you'll have white perimeter cabinets with NVG and are wondering about color of island and what countertop? I like the idea of an island stained dark as well, but would be hesitant about putting a black countertop on it. I fear it would look too monolithic dark, since I think the overall impression of the NVG on white cabs will come off as relatively light.

Butcher block on a dark island seems a nice idea or anyone of a number of more evenly toned solid surface countertops. But, how about picking another granite of a very different type...something with the same color tones as the NVG, slightly darker overall, but more even coloring or with big stripey/swirly movement instead of the small splotches? I just googled granite images for gold and brown and saw Columbo gold, shalimar gold and snake river brown which look something like what I have in mind. Of course, I haven't seen the NVG in person, so I may have the colors off a bit, but the idea would be the same.

Do you have a picture of your kitchen?
There are so many variations of NVG. Some can be golden,
some are almost white, gray shades and others a creamy
color. I think most granites with a dramatic pattern could
work as a focal point while the NVG is on your perimeters.

Here are few ideas you could try on your kitchen.
~boxer

Here is a kitchen with New Venetian Gold. IS yours like this?

Solarius Granite by Icon

Juparana

Here are two different granites in the kitchen

Granite on the perimeter wood on the island

That juparana gold is just what I meant Boxer!

I like Boxer's last picture. A white island with dark wood counter top. If you go with the Dove White, (I have it) it can look very white in a kitchen with lots of natural light, not a soft white. There are many threads that suggest creamy whites. Then if you wanted a wood stained island, you can get a solid creamy top that would play off the creamy cabnets.BTW, I think that usually NVG is paired with wood or a creamy white.

BOXER - I have attached a picture of my kitchen. Hope you can see the granite.
We want to enlarge the island a little and allow for 2-3 stools. We are shrinking our kitchen window to allow for more cabinets and decreased sun in the summer time (kitchen faces SW so it cooks in the afternoon sun).
I am planning on leaving my lowers and redoing the uppers (taller cabinets) and having them all painted white.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi ejbrymom,

I like your kitchen. I think you could go with a granite
with some creative movement. Your NVG has a light gray
cream base to the tone. Very pretty.
I assume you are painting your cabinets a white color.
What about going with a creamy white paint rather than
a stark white paint. The stark would not flow as well
with your black appliances. Are you keeping them?
Then a granite with a little black flecks or lines might
look stuning.
Are you also keeping the orb hardware and faucet?
Then a granite with some black might be nice. Perhaps
keep your island color the wood color.
Here are a few more ideas....
~boxer

Kitchen 8

Rainforest Green Granite is a fun one

Delicatus

Gold and Silver Granite
{{gwi:1649350}}

Jeff Aster Remodeling

Kitchen Winner

Gaffney HOmes

Boxer - we are planning on getting all new stainless appliances.
I wanted to do a soft white (not stark, more creamy but not off white).
I really don't want the kitchen to look busy - it is a small space. I worry that another light granite with movement may be busy....but I could be swayed with pictures :)
Hardware, I like the darker ORB hardware, brings out the colors in the granite. I will be keeping it.
Do you ahve any with a wood option? I love granite for its function (so easy!) but wood looks so nice!
What color would YOU paint the island?
thanks for your help -
Jen

Hi Jen,
SS appliances with white not cream color. Glad I asked
this. Let me find some images of white kitchens, SS app,
ORB and an island in a different color or wood than the
permiter.

I think you are correct you need to find the right granite
if you are going to use granite for the island. Too much
movement might not work if you prefer a soft calm space.
Would it be possible for the granite installer to cut you
a peice of the old NVG island small enough to carry with
you while you shop for new granite? You might NVG again.
Having the granite up close and personal helps with
choosing colors. Of course this may be impossible.
Keep in mind that if you choose a granite that is too much
like your NVG it may look like you are trying to match it.
But if you choose something unique as a piece of art it
will look as though you meant it to have some movement
or color or a clear difference. Just some ideas to
toss around your brain.

Wood is a wonderful option. Keep in mind wood on top of a
white or black island looks great but sometimes wood on
wood does not look like it has a purpose. Dear me, I hope I
am not hurting anyone's feelings. I just want you to really
love wood on wood if you go the wood route. Remember you
have wood floors too. So if you do go with a wood top you
will have three woods next to each other.

What color island you ask? Oh dear this is something you
will have to choose. My instinct says a dark wood island
like the image Gaffney Homes above. That picture shows
similar floors and a similar granite. Spend a little time
thinking about what you love in the images below. That way
you can narrow down your LOVES and choose the best
one for your space. You might discover you love blue, or
red or chocolate...
~boxer

Caztx

Merion Kitchen

Wood top

NVG on the permiter with a dark espresso stained
island. NVG on the island too

NVG on the perimeter

Kitchen Farmhouse

Maybe a soapstone or slate or steel???

Heart Wood Kitchens Boston

NJ remodel

You could also extend your current island of NVG stain the
island a dark color but keep your old granite and add
a butcher block to one side...

Image from GW fkb blog. Check out FKB there are some
fantastic ideas

You could put wood on either end of your current NVG
and create an island like this tying in the NVG on the
perimeters with the island. This could be lovely.

Zinc

I just realized you asked what color to paint the island?
I had not realized after posting the above that paint was
an idea you had in mind.

Here are island that are painted..
hth
~boxer

soft celery green island

Sarah J. Parker

K&B ideas

Devon Blue Bell

dean Cabinetry

Ann Sacks

A few more woods....

This old house