Funny that you guys started to discuss this just when I am about to start this same project myself. Here are my findings. First off, if you plan of putting a counter on top of the new 3.8 cu ft FL, good luck, and have your pocket book ready. You see, the deepest "standard" counters are those for kitchens, at 25 1/8". Assuming that one leaves around 5" of clearance behind those newer FL machines for vents, air circulation, heat, etc, then you are looking at about 30"-35" of depth, depending on how flush you want the counter to come to the front of the machine. Having said that, there are 3 prices for laminate counters in the stores (like Home Depot). The counters you see in the store in stock are the cheapest, and will cost around $10 li ft. If you need to pick a finish that matches say the sink counter top in your bathroom where the machines are also located, then that is considered a custom order, even if it is a standard depth. This will easily double the price to $20 li ft. Now if you want to order a non-standard depth so that it goes from the back of the wall to the front of your new FL, then you are looking at $35-$50 li ft, depending on type of finish like rounded vs sqaure front edge, back ledge or no ledge, etc... Keep this in mind when shopping for a counter top. I would like my counter to cover the machines completely, so I might have to bite the bullet and order the more expensive counter top.... Again, I am talking about a laminate counter top, no fancy materials here.... I am from Canada, and here is what the local Home Depot quoted me in Canadian dollars for the 3 options.. 1) In-Store counter (limited finishes) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $68 CAD Custom order counter (you choose the finish) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $132 - $150 CAD 30 Csutom order counter (you choose the finish) 30-35" (non standard depth) X 6 feet = $222 CAD I believe the last option of non-standard depth only allows for a square front edge finish. If you want a rounder edge in front, like that found on your kitchen counter, the price jumps to $500 CAD, since the guy said that they have to charge for a full 4X8 sheet, and then cut the custom size from there, in order to get the rounded front edge... One other option you can do, which my brother did very nicely is lay down 2 sheets of plywood (for extra thickness), and tile the top and sides, looks really nice, but is a lot more work...

I have a light countertop with my wood cabinet, but with your backsplash I think the darker one would look very nice. Sometime the backsplash will get damaged when removing the countertop or the new countertop is a different thickness causing a gap. Be sure to discuss this with your countertop person. You will have more options if you change the backsplash too, but there is no need to if your countertop place can make the present one work.

"The rounded edge on the inside of my sink and the two outside side edges cost a total of $150 more." This is why I keep preaching that fabricators should sell this option instead of that gawdawful ugly cheap "pencil" edge at sinks. One chip, and that's "when", not "if", and you've paid me nearly $300.00 to fix it on site. Pulling the faucet and sink, profiling and polishing a proper round over, and reinstalling the sink and faucet to reduce the risk of future chips could be $500.00 or more.

There are several other brands of similar materials. The main ones that have had a few other discussions on this board come from Stone Peak, MSI and ThinSlab. While Neolith/Dekton generate the most discussion, I would definitely check out the other products, especially if you are after a particular finish. I agree that the edge profile would be a problem with a obviously veined countertop. But an all white countertop or even one with faint, thin veining should not be a problem at all with a thin profile edge. The main body color matches, and there is very little to see beyond that on a thin edge. I would imagine that the NYC area has a lot of Neolith installs, so you should be able to find an experienced installer. If you contact Neolith, they would direct you to their recommended installers. Pricing reports on this forum have varied quite a bit. Some people find it insanely high priced in their region, others find it quite a bargain. There is no way to know until you start pricing it out locally. You may also try asking the question directly in the Kitchens forum, as I don't recall if any of the previous posters who have discussed pricing have been from the NYC area. All that being said, should you strike out with this material, I know that other stones do come in thin versions, it is just about what is available locally for you. Polycor, in particular, makes and heavily markets their granites and marbles in 1cm slabs.