Your kitchen is one of my favorites, ever. I know you don't like the flat black, because it shows everything, but I really think the dark color contrast might be key to why I love your kitchen. The dark tied in the hardware and the stools and really grounded the space. So, I guess I am not a fan of that Formica color for your kitchen. Have you looked at Slate Sequoia or Petrified Wood?

Thanks, localeater, on both accounts. Slate Sequoia was one of my favorites the first time around, but I couldn't get my hubby on board. Maybe he would be more open to it this time. I don't know that he would go for the Crema either, I was just hoping to get some feedback :)

I also like the Crystalline Onyx, but I am not sure that I like the finish as much on the Wilsonart.

A black with some actual larger pattern won't show nearly as much. And it will look better in your kitchen. The light color just doesn't do it style wise.

The crema will work and it will be 'fine' but you will lose your punch. You are straying ever so slightly into monochromatic territory. So, if you still like the black because of the punch that it gives your kitchen you will not like this. If you are choosing this only because it will not show the dust as much, I would keep looking for something that will give you both of what you want - less dust showing but still a punch.

Hmmm, Ideal Edge doesn't come in many colors right now. 37 total (I heard 55 by next year). Any suggestions from these? I think the dark ones are still too monotone, or something my hubby will just not go for (Dolce Vita).

Here is a link that might be useful: Ideal Edge

I agree with the others that the dark counters look great and a lighter color won't have the same punch. I would consider the Basalt Slate, if you haven't already. I had some large samples of that and found it to be pretty varied.

The Basalt Slate and Ebony Oxide are pretty forgiving dark countertops.

I'm muddling over the same sort of countertop decision right now. We, too, have decided laminate is best for our family, and while I love the contrast of the dark countertops with wood cabinets(ours will be birch in honey with a brown glaze), I think our little galley kitchen (and my need for light) calls out for something lighter. I like the color you posted at the top. Another color that may be nice for you - some contrast but not too dark - is Formica Perlato Granite, though I don't know if it comes in the edge you want. That was our frontrunner, 'til I saw Wilsonart Madura Pearl - have you seen that one? Not sure what edges it comes in, but I am leaning strongly toward this one.

FYI, the Wilsonart Madura Pearl finish is more similar to the Formica Etchings finish (mostly smooth) than to the Wilsonart HD finish I've seen on colors like Crystalline Onyx.

I don't agree that a lighter color will lessen the visual impact of your kitchen. The dark counters are not better, just different--if you choose the right lighter countertop. I think visual contrast can be overrated.

Your kitchen is so pretty--I really like your current countertop, but I did peak at the link you posted and the blue storm caught my eye as did the basalt slate which was already mentioned. Blue storm seems like it could give that contrast but also have more of a camouflage effect. It's hard to know for sure without seeing them in person.

Pal-do you have any lighter suggestions? I am really torn. I realize that it looks dramatic with the dark ones, which is why I was very pro soapstone and honed black granite in the beginning. That being said, the other granite I was always drawn to was Costa Esmerelda or grey/green granites and Danby Marble. So the colors that I like are not new, I just couldn't picture them in my kitchen. I kinda like the thought now of a more calming color, since the rest of our house is more that way than the dramatic difference in the kitchen.

I think I would be more inclined to go with a mid-grey, like this example (please excuse the lazy Photoshop job). Not as dramatic, but I think more livable for me. Thoughts?

We have the Labrador laminate on the perimeter of our kitchen. It reads more as a black to my eyes, even though it has flecks of brown and gray in it. It looks quite a bit swirly-er on the sample chart than it does in real life. When we first put it in, our cupboards were a golden oak, and the color of the wood really looked nice with the laminate. They played very well together.

Since we added a variety of mismatched cupboards to expand our storage on a dime, and since I was trying to lighten the space, we decided to paint them all white to help them blend together. It was a tough call at the time, because once the counters went in, I liked the wood a whole lot more than the way the cupboards looked with the old "butcherblock" laminate that was there before.

The labrador hides dust and dirt very well. A little too well for me. : ) I have to clean by feel, since things can blend right in with the pattern of the laminate.

When it comes time to redo, I personally will probably go with something lighter colored, since I feel like the darker counters are light-eating (might not be a problem with proper lighting), but I did want to let you know that this laminate looks good with wood.
FWIW, here is the kitchen as it looks now:

aims, I got the sample today of Madura Pearl. It was my favorite before it came, but I think it is too pink for my kitchen.

Laughable,

We had the Laborador at our old house. We put it in about 2 years before we moved. It hid everything like a charm, which is probsbly why I have such high expectations. I so want to do a different color this time though.

I worry a bit about the pink too, which is why I keep going back to the Perlato Granite from Formica. Then there is the Formica marble that I am gaga for. Husband, not so much, he'd love the black countertop you originally put in. I like the Crema Mascarello but worry that it's too gold for my kitchen. A note of interest: at the granite yard, the granite we fell in love with (before deciding to stick with laminate) was Persa Avorio. When we got the sample home and put it next to the Madura Pearl, they are amazingly similar.

The full range of laminate will be available starting this month. In the lighter colors I would tend to pick one that has a kind of abstract pattern without trying to mimic natural stone too much.

So, it looks like the darker tones have it (my hubby's fav too). I am strongly leaning toward this one. It is Pewter Pietra from Nevamar (same one that I did a lazy Photoshop with above). I will need to do a square edge, which is fine, but they can do the radius at the end of the counter run (my bigger issue, since I catch that corner all the time!)

It is almost two shades lighter than my current countertop, with a lot more variation. I think it is still dark enough, though, to give a punch.

This post was edited by senator13 on Fri, Jan 4, 13 at 14:08

Before you do all that have you looked into anti-static cloths, sprays, or other means to repel dust on your counters? Black counters are so classic I would try to work with them rather than going through a whole redo so soon. All your choices are lovely but I don't think any of them will look as nice in your kitchen as the black does. It's simple, and sometimes simple is best. I like that it's not pretending to be anything else which makes it more stylish than printed copies of stone. These choices aren't dark enough for your cabinets and the first one has the wrong tones. What you have is the best choice. A bit of dust never hurt anyone and there are solutions out there if you look!

Thanks for the ideas. Yes, our housekeeper uses the Pledge anti dust. It helps a little, but the raised counter gets a lot of afternoon sun. I feel I need some variation to help combat my need to wipe it down all the time to feel that it looks like I want it. I get that it might not bother some, but it does bother me. We had laminate in our old house, and I didn't have this problem even in the light. I am sure that some of it is just my expectations and wanting it to look a certain way without spending a lot of time on maintainance. I lived with it for 1 1/2, and I know that it is not what I want long term. We are looking to change it out now, because we cannot do the backsplash until it is in.

I really like the Pewter Pietra and thought it looked good with your cabinets in the photoshopped image.

We have Basalt Slate, and find it to be pretty forgiving of dust and small crumbs.