I agree -- it's stunning! I've an almost all-white kitchen (cabs / countertop / backsplash) so I know that whatever is different is really going to catch the eye. I am neither encouraging nor discouraging; how about this, I'm asking: in your mind's eye, when you see your kitchen can (or do) you see this on your island? How does it make you feel? It sounds as if you want a statement-making countertop (the striped hickory) anyway -- or am I misunderstanding? Thinking of your kitchen, I don't think it'll be too busy. If you'd been planning on a really subtle island top I might say yeah, could be too busy. But not if you were already envisioning the striped hickory. You've a great eye -- thanks for sharing the picture with us!

Here's my kitchen with all three! I love all three. I am glad though that I have the soapstone on the perimeter with the sink and stove because it's so impervious to anything. I also love my marble but I do NOT baby it in any way. It is honed and un-sealed -- however, I don't care if eventually it gets stained, etched etc (although 4 months later it's still unstained). But I would guess if it was right next to the stove where I'm super messy and lazy to cleanup, that might not be the case. The butcher block is really not in a high food prep area so I can't really say how it takes abuse, but there is an ever so slight crack under our coffee pot I'm assuming from the heat/steam. Here is a link that might be useful: My kitchen with Marble, BB, and Soapstone

I had a similar color scheme in my last kitchen. All white cabinetry with seeded glass uppers. Counters and backsplash were marble slabs. Floor was a very dark coffee stain. I also had an oak butcherblock counter from Ikea that I adored. I didn't stain it because I wanted to use it as a work surface. It held up remarkably well! The cabinets below were painted a color called french pear. Sort of a yellow/green/grey I included a link that has a similar color with butcherblock. There's only one pic that shows the island well so you may have to hunt a bit. As for perimeter counters I always think soapstone or paperstone looks nice with white cabinets. They both have this matte finish to them that makes them absorb light in this lovely soft way so that the difference between the black and white is less stark. If you want something lighter you could always go with a quartz or stone that resembles marfil marble or limestone in a honed finish. (I don't recommend using either on kitchen counters as they're too soft). Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Island with butcherblock and green paint

love it! John Boos Hard Rock Maple in oiled finish. It's like having a 7 foot cutting board. We installed about 10 years ago Here's a picture of the island and sink. http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff433/JulieOF/photoofsink.jpg