It is definitely different from the unfitted kitchen, but it seems to call to me, too, and since I just have not been able to come up with a good layout with a nice island (unless I play with a costly addition that we can't really afford), I was thinking something that would be easy to transition as we get more $$$, without a whole new costly redo, might be what I need. Plus, I think this seems to fit the style of the house a bit better -- traditional, but more 1940s-1960s feeling to it. So, for now (while kids and dog are young), I may go with marmoleum floors, which we can replace with hardwood when we can afford to do the whole house's flooring (since the hardwood is truly messed up in the kitchen, but looks fine even if it's a bit too 1980s honey oak, in the other rooms, including the DR). Also, for counters, right now, I need something that is fairly impervious to kids and a DH who don't exactly wipe up messes. I don't want banded lineoleum, but was thinking that a pretty zodiaq quartz would be just the thing. DuPont had some new colors that looked like carrera marble, and the terrazo style quartz counters are lovely. Although I really do love the look of soapstone, and if it fits in the budget, I may put that in my splurge list. I don't know if I want to put in a glass hutch or a plate rack/open storage like the one in that inspiration picture. The nice thing about a glass hutch is that the dishes and shelves don't get dusty and the hutch can work in nicely with a more elegant look. If I can declutter the house a bit tonight (assuming it will look like a bomb exploded in a toy factory when I get home), I will try to take some pictures so that you can see our style a bit better. I have some funky 1930s-1960s furnishings mixed in with more traditional style stuff.

Sue Ct - no the $50/sq ft is just the labor to install. The quote was actually $55/sq ft with $5 of it the allowance for tile. I know our tile will be more expensive - so I figured I will just buy it myself and pay only for installation. Now its just the issue of finding someone to install it at a reasonable price Kevin - thanks for the input. Yea, the granite pricing was the thing that really troubled me. As to all tile vs tile and 4" granite slab splash - I was like you - thinking all tile. But one of the KDs has convinced my spouse that it will be easier to clean and that there will be issues with tile to the counter and the grout cracking as the house settles / wall contracts / expands. I do know we have laminate in the kitchen now (no tile, just drywall behind the 4" splash) and there is a slight gap between the laminate splash and the drywall that changes size slightly with the season - so that is what my spouse is worried about. Is there a way to help prevent the grout cracking issue at the counter? Thanks

cloud_swift, I remember your gorgeous counter photos! Thank you for your always clear explanations. I admit I was not thinking of quartzite when the OP mentioned quartz. You are quite right that blue quartzite (quartz is rated harder than granite, I believe?) has no issues with etching and staining as the softer blue granites do. Again, that points up the weakness in the stone industry. The names aren't consistent, and neither is the quality of the stone itself (no matter what type) nor the installers. It remains a "cottage industry" in many respects, which is why YMMV, as reported in many a discussion thread here. I think it's great that we have so many choices these days, even if it does drive one slightly crazy!

I have a kitchen table from Room & Board that has a white quartz top. It does occasionally stain with ink, pencil, colored pencil, etc. Normally I use a homemade cleaner with water, alcohol and blue dawn. It gets everything out for me. I did have one stain from the magnet on the back of my phone case which came in contact with water. I used bar keepers friend and it came right off. I am only left with a small mark that was on the table when it was delivered (we were out of the country and someone else received the table and didn’t say anything to the delivery men). It appears to be a small ink mark. We have been able to dull it slightly, but haven’t been successful at removing it. I will try the greased lightning suggested above, and maybe diluted bleach as a last resort.