LOL! That's what I get for going against my usual but-monitors-are-all-different spiel :) (On my screen it's a pale willow green with spruce blue and yellow moss lines :) ) The colors you describe as the real thing don't affect the fact that it's a gorgeous piece of stone. The lights and darks would still be the same and that's what gives it its life :) I'd say the same thing for the backsplash as I did before. Especially if you do the potrack. You'll have lots going on on the wall, so do a simple tile that doesn't compete with or blend with the granite. The one thing you might want to think about is color accents. That's the only thing I don't see in what you've shared (since the real stone is so neutral). Do you have cannisters, ornaments, etc., that will provide a little punch of color? Or clutter? That's all it would take :) Trust yourself more. You really are doing fine!

Yes, it does, but unfortunately, there are only 4 kitchens with quartersawn oak cabinets. Three of those have mostly dark counters. The 4th kitchen has light counters but very darkly stained cabinets. Finding images of quartersawn oak kitchens that aren't geared to Craftsman style is not an easy thing to do. linelle, that vanity is stunning! As is the rest of the house (thanks for the link, andreak100).

Almost any color would work with natural or light cherry and a light maple floor. Okay, probably not blue or red. But black, deep gray and dark green would all work, and even dark brown might work depending on the rest of the kitchen. I agree with Fori that dark would look best here. You need some contrast in a kitchen, and this is the place to do it. Here's Oxwich Green Cambria (quartz) as an example: http://www.cambriausa.com/collection.cfm/all-colors/oxwich%20green And here it is in real life, though with cream cabinets instead of cherry: http://www.cambriausa.com/galleryDetail.cfm?colorcode=6200&filename=P-115&colorname=Oxwich%20Green

@Beth Sorry, you did say you haven't used it. I read the blog but will definitely read reviews as well. We do need the engineered wood to be on site for a while especially since as we live in a very humid climate. I believe the island wood is maple with a pecan stain. It's just a very neutral mid tone brown stain. I know it's not cherry or oak. Unfortunately the bedroom floor must be ordered asap due to flooding/mold issue. I was hoping to choose something that I could also use in the kitchen when budget permits, as I understand floors should be the same throughout the house. At this point I'm unable to visit stone yards yet. When I do, I will definitely bring the front face of both cabinet drawer finishes with me. So that's why I was putting the cart before the horse, thinking about countertops. The reason I'm getting ahead of myself is because I am trying to create a general direction in my mind. Maybe I should just choose a bedroom floor based on what I would use in my kitchen, since bedrooms and bathrooms finishes aren't as important. Or I shouldn't worry so much about using the exact same wood. I don't know but I appreciate every response you have given me.