Wow! Thanks for all the great responses!

We are installing white, painted cabinets that look like they belong in our early-1800s Italianette home. We are not installing a backsplash, but will tile from the lower cabinets to the upper cabinets. So I don't think swapping out the countertops will prove difficult, as long as the new countertop are the same thickness.

Fortunately, this is our life-long home. We intend to be in this house for the rest of our lives and are not concerned with resale value. This is all about what makes sense for our family.

Someone asked what stone we had in the house - its carrera marble. We are very familiar with granite - we live in Vermont! Many friend's homes here have granite. I personally don't care for the cold, hard feeling and look of granite (in our kitchen). We had considered walnut oiled countertops and stone or quartz on the island, which is where most of the action will be. We still may mix up materials.

After living with butcher block countertops in my previous home, we thought we would be too worried about every scratch and stain. We thought about carrera marble, but despite the repeated sealants we've used, the kids still make a mess of them and they require poltices.

We will order samples from Wilsonart and Formica! Thanks! Can we order ogee edges with these products?

By the way, when I say the kitchen is luxurious, we don't want it to look necessarily expensive, but warm, lived in, and informal. Like most homes, this kitchen is designed to be the center of the house and where we will realistically spend the most family and friend time. We want it to get as much use as possible!