Personally, I'm not a fan of mixing 2 patterned counters. I think if you do want to mix stones, the best mix of stone counters is soapstone with marble. The veining in those 2 stones seem to compliment eachother the best. Many people do wood counters combined with marble. Maybe you could consider that.

Yes, of course, you can combine things. Just get the image of your first idea out of your head. Only you know what you'd get tired of. But if you don't want a lot of pattern and movement you can go for a granite that's more subdued. They exist!

Have you looked at some of the synthetic marbles? They have a nice look, and a resin substrate like Ceasarstone. Very practical in a busy kitchen, but a marble-like look. There's also recycled marble, which is chips and shards in resin. It's busier than natural white marble, but still has a lot of the same look.

The other thing you can do is go to the stone yard and get samples. Live with them awhile. Combine them. Get a cabinet door sample and paint chips and a sample knob, and live with everything together. Make sure one of your samples is the black. Your husband might well like the black if he's just looking at it without the whispers in his ear.

Another thought: How about stainless steel counters and marble on the island. That'll give you a lighter color version of what you originally liked, and it's very practical. Get it brushed so it doesn't show scratches or reflections.

I was surfing the net trying to find pics of granite and marble countertops together but so far no luck. I did come across a dark marble countertop that I thought was really cool and worth sharing. Perhaps you could do something like this on the perimeter and traditional colored marble on the island.(that is if your budget allows. I always seem to pic out the expensive stuff :) )

I could swear that one poster here did a black granite/white marble combo where the black granite was actually black with white/grey veining - almost an exact inverse of the marble. Maybe someone else remembers who this was?

It looked wonderful and might be an acceptable alternative to solid black, with its various issues, while still keeping a fairly traditional look.

Here is a link that might be useful: This site has some black granites with white veining

For what it's worth...

A look that has been a classic over the last couple of hundred years is
Soapstone (for the dark color) and Danby Marble (for the light color)

These two stones have been quarried out of the North East US for the last
few centuries, and has seen a surge in popularity, as people are re-doing there
kitchens to create the "look" from the 1700's & 1800's - but with all of the modern
conveniences of the 21st century........

AND..... These two stones can each take a beating and still look terrific.

if you want authenticity - Soapstone and Danby would be MY first two suggestions..

hth

kevin

Here is a link that might be useful: Vermont Quarries - Danby Colors

Hi 3Daisies,

I love the combinations of two different countertops.
Seeing some in person and gorgeous photos on GW, I have
been swayed. I love the look.
And don't be afraid of movement. I know you are looking
for something simple but the right rock will look amazing.
Have you thought about Jet Mist (Virginia Mist granite)
Some have lots of movement but I saw some very simple
grayish black slabs with almost no pattern. This looks
like soapstone but works like a granite. It could be an
option for you. Butcher Block, Quartz Black, Pearl Gray,
Blue Pearl (Which can look gray), Slate, Soapstone,
Nordic Black Granite, Azul Aran (has movement but looks
nice with white marble) .... so many to list.

Here are some ideas, to keep your mind working on this
wonderful kitchen. In time you will find your favorite
combination and it will look great.
~boxerpups

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AnneKendo's Kitchen from Garden Web post

Colleen Mill's Kitchen from Garden Web post

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This is the same on island as counter but it is lovely
and I thought you might like this as an idea.
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I know I should have just posted white kitchens but I
got carried away.

~boxerpups

Thank you, this is helpful.

Megpie, I always love the $$$ stuff also, oops!

pillog: sound advice! I need to get samples...my DH might totally change his mind.

akrogirl: those blacks are awesome. Just have to convince DH...

Kevin: I have a feeling soapstone and Danby are out of my price range but they look so wonderful! Durable, I buy that - but the maintenance issues kind of spook me even though I love to clean counters. :)

Boxerpups: The pictures were useful as well for getting a better idea.

My other idea is the reverse: to put a very light granite (like Kashmir white) on the perimeter for durability, and then soapstone or honed black granite on the island. Then DH and I both get our color favorites...

I'm thinking that the marble and particular granite colors the fabricator and I looked at today just won't coordinate. Don't care about matchy matchy but at least want them to co-exist peacefully.

Boxer makes me drool...

I second honed jet mist with marble. Also, love the soft blueish granites with marble. (but I am a blue person)

Boxerpups-is the 4th kitchen below Colleen Mills' on GW? I was interested in the backsplash--love the mosaic over the stove. Would like to do whole kitchen that way, but the one we like is $70/sq foot--so doing the whole backsplash is out!

You always find the best pictures...Thanks

I love Coleen's Kitchen.
I think I spelled her name wrong.
Coleen3201118
Here is the link I got the picture from.
Sun Jan 19, 2008 by Donna214
Truly lovely.

Here is a link that might be useful: Is Soapstone more expensive than Granite

Stainless steel and marble.

Hi 3daisyes !Have you seen smarge's kitchen. She used Raven Ceasarstone and marble. It's just beautiful!

Here is a link that might be useful: