We installed Pietra Cardosa in our kitchen, and have a similar style to the OP's (classic white cabinets, dark walnut floors). We cook fairly heavily (including canning, pickling, lots of acid and tomato use, etc.) and entertain quite a bit. We also use the island as our central entertaining space, and eat on it quite a bit. We sealed ours right when we got it, and did it again after about a year using Ager w/ Color Enhancer. It very slightly darkened ours, and made the gray more medium (our's was a tad "cool") and brought out some of that subtle grain / veins a little bit more. Couldn't be happier with the stone, particularly w/ the sealer on it. Looks great, is very tough (I'm hard on my toys!), and is quite forgiving. We use a ton of lemons, and a long dish of them as our center piece on the island, and have no etching. We're not that careful, and have had some messes last overnight without penalty. I'm not saying you won't, but I'd say we're moderately careful, but not crazy by any stretch. We just use dish soap and a sponge to clean. I scared the crap out of myself reading the negative reviews online, and the advice from "experts," but there was really no other stone that would give us the look and feel we wanted, so we took the dive. Very, very happy we did. We get a ton of compliments.

We have cabinets painted in Divinity on maple (http://www.medallioncabinetry.com/Product.aspx?productID=161&CategoryID=2) which is a cool off white with the honed jet mist. I really like it - everything is softer. The honed jet mist reminds me of a chalkboard, I don't know why. With the white streaks running through it I am much happier than going with absolute black honed, I think it can help hide any imperfections longer (not that I have any right now!!). We also had polished uba tuba in our old house and I hated the streaks as well. When we went to see a slab, yes, the guy was like, look at the fingerprints just want you to know etc and so we hemmed and hawed a bit about honed but finally said it can't be any worse than the streaks on a polished. I don't really notice any fingerprints. I am a bit fanatical about wiping down the counters right now (for water spots or food stains) but we have only had them for 3 months. All I use is either clorox wipes or just a paper towel with some dish soap. Occasionally I have used the method granite spray. If anyone has any better suggestions let me know! I also have 3 young children and don't believe they have inflicted any damage either. I'll do my best to upload a pic later to help.

I know as soon as boxerpups sees this, she'll respond with some great pictures! In the meantime, I don't know how helpful this will be, but I have white cabinets with dark gray granite on perimeter and main island, and a walnut edge grain top on the smaller outer island. My floors are warm wood (red oak, not stained but finished with polyurethane). The wood top is on the warm side, like a tootsie roll with a little pinkish undertone. On the walls I have beadboard paneling to wainscot level, then BM Quiet Moments, a light blue/gray/green which a friend described today as calming and cool but warm and welcoming as well. DD described it as "cozy" (she's 11 so perhaps not what most people would say, but if that's what she thinks about it, I'm satisfied.) To me it all works well together. Maybe it's the paint color that really makes it, but I was liking it before the walls were painted as well. So not exactly your situation, but I think if you have mostly cool colors, you'd want something to warm it up a little. (I almost went with cherry but swung to walnut at the last minute. Don't know why; I love it, would have loved the cherry too.)

Well, I stumbled across this post and think I may have found the granite I've been looking for, so thanks for posting these photos last year! I'm also looking for a granite with the color/look of soapstone and really LOVE your countertop photos (and the whole kitchen)! If you are still checking this post, I'd love to know if you still love your honed / enhanced Virginia / Jet Mist granite counters? Are they easy to keep clean? Do you find the honed finish is susceptible to staining? I'm having a hard time finding a soapstone that is within my budget (it does not seem to be very popular in in my area - Southwest Virginia) and also the slabs are apparently smaller and I need something to cover a 36" deep peninsula without a seam down the middle. I have been worried that the Virginia Mist is too light in color but in these photos, your stone that was treated with enhancer appears dark gray / almost black, much like newly oiled soapstone. Is that how you would describe it? I know photos can sometimes be deceiving (based on available light/etc. so I wanted to ask you what color it "reads" in most normal light conditions -- would you describe it as more medium gray, dark dray, or black? Does the enhancer darken the stone permanently or do you have to reapply periodically? Do you re-seal your own counters or is it better to have the honed finish sealed professionally each year? Thanks for any additional info or advice you can provide!