I also would like to add that we have a very dark island - it is cherry with a walnut stain. As a result I sometimes feel that is giving me problems finding a coordinating counter top. I was hoping to do the same countertop throughout the kitchen since is is a med/small kitchen (14x12). I didn't know if another counter would be too busy.

Also I have 8 ft. ceilings in a 12 year old spec house that is brick with no real architectural style to guide my kitchen design. My personal style tends to be more transitional. I am hoping to do satin nickel hardware & I do have ss appliances. I have spots for two pendant lights over the island but they haven't been installed.

With this color kitchen, granite would be a really good choice. What don't you like about it? There re so many to choose from. You can find a quiet granite, without movement. I would look in the brown family and then match your backsplash to the cabinet color. Glass is now popular but it can give a modern edge to your kitchen. Have you looked through the Finished Kitchen Blog? You can choose counter tops and see your selection in a variety of kitchens. My one bit of advise is one I learned too late. When you pick the counter, before ordering it, start looking at the backsplash choices. See what your options are with the three elements in place. Cabinet color, counter and backsplash tile. So many of us here have had the most dificult time with the backsplash and I think it is because we didn't shop for the backsplah and counter at the same time.

Your cabinets are beautiful!
If it were my kitchen, I would do granite. It is the most durable countertop material out there. Have you gone to a granite yard? It is amazing to look at the actual slabs and the variety that is out there.
If you really don't want granite, then I would do soapstone. I think it would look fantastic in your kitchen, but I would also be concerned about the maintenance issues.
What did the dealer suggest?

I'm not a big fan of most granites, either, but quartz is a nice choice. Whatever is in your third picture (on the darker lower cabinets) would be perfect on your island.

A darker countertop with your cream cabinets, will make them look lighter. You don't have to get actual soapstone to get that look. Start looking at darker gray and black countertops...and see how you and DH like them.

For the backsplash, you could stay fairly neutral or go with something more colorful. Neutral will probably stay in style longer...especially if you're doing the darker countertop.

Good luck with your kitchen...I think your cabinet color is beautiful and will turn out very well, once everything else is in place!

How about one of the silestones that look like concrete?? I like Gray Amazon leathered. It would be modern looking and neutral, but also darker than your cabinets, so they'd look lighter like Lavender suggested.

Here is a link that might be useful: silestone colors

How about a dark walnut or mahogany for the counters with a light engineered stone for the island? I would not try for the same shade as the island, too matchy, but go with something darker.

I have to admit, my first thought when seeing your kitchen and hearing the description was Costa Esmeralda for the counters all through it. It is a light green granite with cream in it and looks great with cream cabs and with wood.

First for your own planning sake, you need to get your undercounter lights in if you are going to have them and you should try to turn off the flash in your camera, which is flattening how your kitchen looks.

Second, I am not a granite person either, but I think it's worth your while to look at the pics of Positano's lovely kitchen. She does have Costa Esmeralda, but the green seems to be a very greyish olive and the pattern is subtle.

Even if you don't like the stone, it will give you sense of what a polished surface in a medium tone would look like with cabinets, floors, and lighting conditions not dissimilar to yours.

Your cabinets are beautiful, and I think when you get the lighting as you want it, you will find that you have lots of options for counters and backsplash. Best of luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: cucina di Positano.

Hey Ramseybean - Just came across this post as I had done a search for Tigris Sand, and thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I love contrasting cabinet colors and did that in my kitchen. My island and wine cabinet are dark and my perimeter cabs are creamy colored. I used Tropic Brown granite, (which can range anywhere from olivey green tones to cinnamony/caramely tones), on both cabinets and I'm still happy with it, (5 years later!). I know you don't like granite and you've probably chosen your countertop by now, but you can certainly find an engineered stone that will coordinate beautifully with both cab colors. Please post what you ended up with, I would love to see it. I am just starting a Master Bath renovation and using Tigris Sand Leather for the countertop which again is how I found this post.
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