If you haven't already, I suggest posting this on the "Discussions" side of Kitchens. This is the "Gallery" side that's more for finished kitchens and the like. The Discussions side of Kitchens is for on-topic discussions concerning kitchen remodels. You will most likely get many more responses over there. Good luck!

Dark photo of super white on a white island right after counter installed in my kitchen. Don't give up on the super white. I looked at 5 different slabs before I found one that would work for us. It really varies from a med/dark gray to a swirly white & light gray. Eventually I started calling the fabricators and asking about their super white. If I got someone knowledgeable they would describe it and send a photo. Be very specific about what you want - I wanted it to have some white but nice contrast so the very gray and swirly white/light gray didn't work. The slab we found also has some areas that are almost peach (it is very light, just an accent tone in the background) that I loved with our red birch perimeter cabinets. The stone is called by many names - supreme white, white princess, white fantasy - but asking for white quartzite and sharing some of the names got me the stuff I wanted. Note - I still went to look at the slabs even if the photos were a little off - often they look lighter and whiter in person. Here is a link to the photos I collected on quartzite slabs in my area (Boston) so you can see how different they can be. http://s932.photobucket.com/albums/ad166/sparklekitty_kitchen/White%20Quartzite%20or%20Granite%20Slabs/ The last two are of the slab we purchased. Note that the 2nd photo was from the fabricator and it shows the slab darker than it is in person. I have also included a link to my recent posting with all the photos of the counter installed. Again the photos are dark, but I am very happy. The paint color is BM Dove Wing, but we also considered BM white dove. Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of superwhite with white island

Thanks for the comments. I like all your advice and really expected people to tell me to go with the smoke and not white. I am posting images of the two tiles . To answer epressler's question the smoke subway tile is not glass but a crackled finish just like the off white subway tile. Yes, the granite does have a small amount of white flecks in it but since the kitchen is so dark with not much afternoon sun, the counters look and feel darker than the photo I posted. I know some under cabinet lighting would help but I am not going to have lights on during the day so that is one reason for the white subway tile idea. I like subway because most of the kitchens I admire use it. Most of the kitchen I admire also have a lot of white either in marble or painted cabinets. I feel like I did not choose very traditional countertops but my taste is traditional and my long term plan is to keep the cabinets forever and just think about painting them white someday when they start looking old. I also like dianalos comment about the valances. I chose the ones I did because I love oranges and yellows but maybe I should look into finding a new fabric that is not so dark and your comment about needing to go with white tile to change the effect seems spot on. The new images I am posting of the tile samples don't show the crackle finish but you will see one is much deeper and the bevel stands out...that one is also $30/sq. ft. ...the white one is only 12.99/sq. ft. and the bevel is not as neat but the white is crackled and almost a little iridescent. I am linking the photos in the optional link url. Does anyone know how to just get them to show up on my post?? Here is a link that might be useful: more photos of tile

Thank you all for your help. Okay, it is sealed. So far, I have performed 20 min and 1 hour test with ketchup, balsamic, turmeric paste, orange wedge, red wine, olive oil, water, and bar keeper's friend paste(I use this alot in the sink and want to make sure it will not hurt counter)... For 20 min and 1 hour-wiped off with water, NOTHING! YAY! But...yes, the oil and water area darkened...I can tell it is soaking up the liquids. Actually, when dh brought in the sample from the rain, I could see that the areas under the rain drops were slightly darker. Did the same test over 3 hours, but added crushed blackberry...it is slighty stained now-the blackberry and turmeric left very faint discoloration on the polished area, and a very noticeable stain on the unsealed/unpolished edge. The water and oil, again, left a very very slight darker spot that I cannot see after a few minutes. NO etching. AT all. Not even sorta. I decided to crush a blackberry on it and see what happens after 20 minutes...no stain at all, wiped up with water. So...I am okay. I was most worried about etching, and it is not happening. The staining? Am I correct in assuming that this will happen with any natural stone? I know it is not supposed to be as porous as granite or marble, but it still is some what porous right?(kinda like you are saying PreciousStone?). I am thinking this just needs some more/better sealing? Thoughts? What type of sealant you think?