Vinyl composition tile (VCT) looks a lot like Marmoleum and is much less expensive (~ 1.00 - 5.00 psf), and comes in all kinds of colors, wouldn't be surprised if you could create the look in the pic with it. Link below with some info about VCT. Here is a link that might be useful: Vinyl Composition Tiles

Dreamgoddess, what a delightful kitchen & dining room - you should be very proud of all you've accomplished! Is a match or near-match to your current counters not possible or not desired? Are they wood like the island, or? Looks like you can use any material from Victorian times to the 40's (or any convincing imitation of one) if you prefer historic mode. Stone, marble, zinc, copper, wood come to mind. A raw countertop, exterior or marine plywood can be covered in sheet copper, zinc or lineoleum with a little work. We did that once with copper in a Victorian kitchen add-on to a colonial house. Found the copper at a scrap yard, but you could ask a roofer who uses copper to sell you some shorts or sheath a counter for you or find a willing metalworker. My husband made a tabletop from tongue & groove oak flooring. I picked up a marbletop coffee table at a yard sale once for $10 just for the marble to use in a baking area. I see stone & all kinds of counters often on craigslist here & a city an hour away. Usually left-overs from a job offered by the homeowner or tradesmen, more common lately in this economy. There's also freecycle & local groups, Habitat for Humanity showrooms, and maintenance departments of labs & colleges & such who know what's about to be removed for modernization. Kitchen design & builder's showrooms swap out their displays & sell the old ones. Those in the business of kitchen installation sell the kitchens they've torn out & hauled off (if the homeowners don't advertise it beforehand). Ask around... I'd be tempted to pick up the identical match to your Hoosier, especially if it's inexpensive. Even if you don't use it for the countertop proper, it might make a great breadboard-type pull out for the cupboards you're contemplating (or a worktable elsewhere). But I'm a big fan of long breadboard pull-outs to double counterspace anyway, and the strategic location next to the dining room would make it a great stage for desert and coffee waiting in the wings. Basically anything fairly straight & sturdy can be used for a countertop, right? More delicate surfaces can always be protected with a sheet of glass as are furniture tops. I bet you're resourceful & will come up with many more possibilities once you get started! And a good brainstorm doesn't cost a dime.

I agree that a contrast would look nice and a black would tie into the trim on your appliances. However, I might consider looking for a softer black, leaning toward gray granite. I'm not too familiar with the names of dark granites so I got these off the link below. Black Absolute Flamed Granite or Black Labradorita Here is a link that might be useful: granite colors

Thanks lukkirish, Annie, and kswl. I will keep looking for a mirror. Agreed, birdcage knobs are a pain to clean I thought I might use them here but have decided against them. Am now thinking of something like these The bird tile is still a maybe, love it and birds have always been my thing so not worrying about trendiness. My concern is that the greens may not play nicely together. Have to wait to see the vanity in place with all the other elements to decide if it works for me. Anyone have any ideas for a flushmount ceiling light?