Maxipines, I really like what the brown counter does for your kitchen in your mockup, and the way it seems to come into harmony inside, as well as with the pretty view out your window--EXCEPT for the bright white. I also really like white (just about everywhere--never went through the "ugh! white appliances" stage). The thing is, white is a very dominant "color" when set into darker surroundings, often breaking up a composition instead of playing nicely and always grabbing attention to itself.

In your case, going darker seems to make those appliances jump out a lot, most particularly that huge blocky thing to the left. It'd only be worse if the window frame were painted to let that retreat into place, which I'd probably do also, seeing no reason to make a special feature of the frame itself. If you really want to keep the bright white, maybe you could integrate it and remove focus from the fridge by using white in other places too? Warm-color counter but with white in it, decorative items with white in them, white tier curtains, etc.?

Check out Cambria quartz. If you're looking for dark, there's an absolutely stunning one in the 'Cambrian' collection called 'Canterbury' that works very nicely with your wood tones. Of course, there are also several that have lighter tones that would work as well.

Maxipines, you can proceed with the brown color.Brown looks awesome. Most of our clients ask us to use brown in kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Handyman In london

I like the brown tones but agree that something with more white in it might tie the room together better. What about something that has brownish/caramel swirls in it with a whiteish ground like Yellow River or Bianco Antico?

Hi Maxiepines,

What color do you like?
You are lucky that many colors could work in your space.
How much do you have to spend on granite? The more exotic
colors might be more expensive but there are many options
available.

Do you want to go with the sage greenish walls or try
a new color? Do you like neutral or bold? Flashy or simple?

Here are some ideas with oak cabinets. Hope they help you.
~boxerpups

Golden Beaches

Soapstone

Imperial Blue from Bevs Schram

Typhoon Bordeaux

Verde Peacock from Stone Studio Co.

Golden Noir from Stone Studio

Creama Bordeaux

Carrera Marble

Scottish Meadow

Rainforest Green

Ubatuba

Tan Brown

This is Crazyhouse6's kitchen with Giallo granite

New Venetian Gold

Verde Butterfly

By your mock-up I am thinking Verde Peacock.

Yeah!!! Boxerpups to the rescue!! (How does she do it??!!)

That Golden Beaches looked nice!

Lots of beautiful options. Nice going Boxerpups! The darker counters (any of them!) will really make the kitchen look richer.

I love Crazyhouse6's kitchen with Giallo granite and the backsplash. Does anyone know what the backsplash is?

maxiepines, I didn't follow your thread about cook tops so maybe someone already mentioned this. A downdraft set within a gas cook top pulls at the flames. This isn't an issue with your old electric cook top - no flame.

I have a pop-up downdraft for my island's gas cook top. Even though it rises 7" above the cook top, it pulls the flame when turned on high and even on medium, it pulls on the back burners' flames more than I'd like. The downdraft blew out (would that be sucked out?) a burner when it was on low a few times. Today's gas cook tops generally come with automatic re-ignition, which is good, because the only way I know this has happened with my old cook top is when I smell gas.

Anyhoo, a downdraft set at the same level as the burners will do this even more than my 7" pop-up does. Can you add a pop-up downdraft, preferably one of the newer models that rises more than 7" above the cook top instead?

Stunning photos, as usual, boxerpups. You rock!

And then there are those of us, like me, that cook on gas with no exhaust fan. We've done so for over 20 years with no problems. I know this point of view can stir up a lot of heated debate and I'm not trying to cause problems, lol. But just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. So Kathy, maybe your downdraft will be fine, especially if you don't tend to turn it on all the time. I love having burners that re-ignite when they blow out, and I can see how important that feature is especially with down drafts!

What about sienna Bordeaux? I think it would look great with your cabinets. Have you looked at Redhead47's thread? Her sienna bordeaux were just installed

The Typhoon Bordeaux, in Boxerpup's pictures, looks beautiful with the wood cabinets, white fridge and cooktop. Very similar to your space and the golds and grays in the granite will pick up your stainless steel, but still looks very warm with the wood, IMHO :)