I took a little trip to the granite yard today actually! I thought that I wanted a lighter color at least on the island so I brought home chunks of Giallo Ornamental and New Venetian which are nearly identical except that the Giallo has a tighter pattern. I do prefer wavy, swirly granite to the more uniform ones, but maybe it would be nice to have something more uniform around the perimeter for the contrast. I have an impossible time picturing anything though I try so hard:) I was wondering about the possibility of using corian for the perimeter counters and stopped at Home Depot to get some samples. Most of what I picked up was dark chocolate brown ones (one was actually called chocolate brown.) As I mentioned above, I like the Nash pendant from Pottery Barn but it's described as silver plated with a blackened finish. Would that look silly with rubbed bronze hardware for the cabs, or could I get some sort of "old" looking silver hardware for the cabinets? I would like to make some decisions and then sit on them for awhile, but I am definitely antsy to get this project rolling. We did very little to the kitchen of our previous house during the 7 years we lived there because we knew that we would leave before too long so I feel like I've waited for my nice kitchen for a long time even though we've only been here a short time - does that make sense? Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery Barn Nash pendants

I struggled for MONTHS .... so many choices and I knew I'd ever get to do it again (because of the money and finally saving up enough to have the granite in the first place!). I finally chose one called Giallo Napoli ... ended up totally in love with it. My cabinets are white and I have the black and stainless in my kitchen like you do. I didn't want too many competing colors. My granite has a tricky chocolate-amethyst that would look AWESOME with your cabinets with the black veining in them. Here is my post from when I was lurking around trying to figure out what to do ... I, like you, didn't think I would like 'busy' granite with slight/some movement ... it worked for me though, although I STILL haven't chosen a floor yet ... did you say what your floor is? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0211302019266.html Here is a link that might be useful: GammyMommy's post & pics

Your cabinets look really nice. I have had a new appreciation for oak. Assuming they were originally stained and good quality you might want to consider having them stripped and refinished either with a stain you prefer or natural (different natural finishes may not 'orange' as much. Then find a counter that compliments the warm tone of the oak. Definitely bring a sample of whatever cabinet finish you are considering (or keeping the same) to look at the counters at the fabricator. You will be surprised how subtle some of the differences can be. Good luck.

Please take a cabinet door to the granite yard to select yourslab. Remember cherry will change color over time do take an aged door. Take your time with this. I believe you can do better, but if these three are your choices, take the last one. Take your time with the backsplash and choose it after the granite install.