Good for you. That is a hard decision to make! On my monitor it looks absolutely beautiful in the first picture but seems a mismatch in the later pictures. Hopefully in life it looks gorgeous in all locations. Have you thought about where the backsplash will begin and end, especially around the window?

To me, the last slab you posted is beautiful ....maybe same level of busy but somehow more monochromatic and uniform than your giallo. I could see the latter blending together to create a uniform grey/brown look when viewed from a distance. I think the higher contrast in the background color and the 'speckles' in the counter in your giallo make it busier to my eyes. Also, how much do you like the pattern in your current counter ? The giallo is a variation on that theme - lighter background but same overall effect. Do you really think its worthwhile to change your current slab for the giallo (asking earnestly). Have been counter obsessed myself lately and I think you could take a peak at Colonial Dream/Cream, if you search by my id (CurryUp) you should find pictures of the slab I posted. Its a cream colored granite with minimal specks, really pretty. Just my 2 cents.

Yes! Our local certified appliance store learned through their Miele rep that Miele had given away the remaining stock they held of the PW 6068 Plus to medical facilities dealing with Covid 19, except for *one* white rumored machine sitting in New Jersey? warehouse scratch and dent area. The rep explained they can't see the machine, or get pictures, but explained that Miele's scratch and dents are normally barely marred. They don't sell them at all if they are broken. They do not refurbish broken machines and lable them scratch-and-dent. They are truly new flawless working order machines, just something visual on the outside keeps it from meeting Miele standard of sellable as new. Since my washer was toast and I didn't know when the new model would really surface and with Covid making me think that delivery times may be out of Miele's control, I said yes to the scratch and dent. Felt like a total gamble but I just wanted to trust that damage would be minimal; and remember that our own family could easily put a 4-inch scratch on anything new during the first week of use. They gave me scratch and dent 10% off price. Was shipped and we had it installed by local certified Miele installers. There was no manual and it was missing the tool for leveling. I found the tool from my old machine the next day and had my contractor who was already here level it. It turned out to be super easy to run 220 to my laundry bump-out and the washer has been installed for a couple months. The only easy thing I asked for in our remodel. The only scratches I can find are on the stainless top. You can see them to the left and right off the white light reflection near the front of the machine. Other blurry areas are actually schmutz from setting down coffee cups and stain remover overspray. We have added to the scratches with a wicker laundry basket maybe. Hard to be sure. I didn't memorize original pattern; I was just so relieved the front and sides were perfect. It was my plan all along to buy a sheet of white laminate for the top anyway to match dryer. My dryer (and old washer) have white laminate and that material just works better. I still need to figure out how to change the programming a little to add extra spin speed on shirts setting, but it's been a low priority. We love it as-is, scratches and all. It is slightly deeper (maybe?) than the old washer and my concern for the new model getting bigger was real. We can't go any deeper or it will stick out. I have been using the delayed start time every night to have it finish the load the next day at 4pm, when I get home from work. Love it! Old machine was only a 9.5 hour delay; this one is 24. Is a small thing, but it helps me keep my cool; removing laundry loading from morning crazy routine when trying to get school and work and dishes etc. going. The other option was have it start early morning, but then I had to empty before work or it would sit wet all day. It helps me feel like I got my act together with kids and family -- less yelling at my kids going on under time deadlines :) There is one tiny laundry basket for dirties across the hall from the washer. Most laundry is clean all the time with this method so no baskets are in my kids rooms anymore. They throw their clothes on the floor anyway. Now they have to kick it to the laundry room daily, but the house is just not that big and they are dusting the floor on the way. Do I miss the conversation of "is this basket clean or dirty? What are you doing? Mixed!?! Aaaaaaa!" No, I do not. One load done and I distribute to bedrooms without a basket or leave it folded on dryer for owners to fetch--small means manageable. I have hugged this machine. Quality-of-life improver. It runs loads much faster than the 1926 did. At first I was horrified, but it seems not to matter. No rashes are surfacing. I use barely any soap or the fragrance and foam is overpowering. No regrets. Matches well enough with the old Novotronic 1526. Just our fingerprints on the front. Scratches only on top about 5 inches from front edge. It scratches easily I suspect. Eventually all the scratches will blend together or I will get some white laminate to cover it. It matches our not-at-all fancy 1971 house.

I would go with a light color, solid colored quartz or solid surface - like what's shown in the photo. You've got a lot of texture in your floor and the wood, and anything with much movement on the top will compete. You need a restful place for your eye to land, and that will help your pretty fixtures to pop, too! Paint is last - don't worry about that yet. You need to get everything installed and in your lighting then pick paint.