Love the floors! Are you set on granite and why? I agree with you that your floors will be the star and I think you will want to let them be. What color are your cabinets? Any pictures? And is the pic above your actual floor?

A cream colored counter in granite or quartz with very little movement. I keep thinking soapstone, too, might work.

Something that looks like Carrera marble. The herringbone brick would look awesome with something like that.

Maybe Caesarstone Dreamy Marfil?

I think that the Buttermilk quartz, or something very similar, is the best choice. A dark counter would drag down the floor colors I think, and any pattern would be too much.

Thanks so much for replies so far. I am happy to go with something other than granite, I just want something hard. I love soapstone but I know it's not for my family! I think you're right something cream is the right thing to go for. Mayflowers mentioned that going for a similar tile wouldn't be a good idea. I was planning on having subway tile laid normally on my backsplash and a herringbone panel behind the range (to echo the floor tile). Do you think this is a bad idea?

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there is a thread...think its called geology 101 (there are actually six threads) by a geologist named karin.... she talks all about the different kinds of stone, how to tell (since the stone yards use different terminology)...and how to tell if its hard... and there are beautiful photos of different stones and counters in the threads as everyone shares what they have ... its truly fascinating.

A very light slab of Typhoon Bordeaux might work if you could find it and really wanted granite. I am a solid surface or quartz fan. Cambria Yorkshire is warm but maybe too dark. Some of those new Quartz Masters patterns are amazing, too.

Here is Quartz Masters' color array. What about Jerusalem Gold or Moyoka? They have a pic of the JG on their home page that shows a lot more life than the color swatch.

Your floor is so strong. I personally would not want to see herringbone on the wall, even in a plain tile. Maybe a single accent row of squares would give enough interest?

Maybe a simple quartz on both counter and backsplash? We just got some Dreamy Marfil tub surround by Caesarstone, and it is not very busy. It seems like it might pick up the lighter colour of your floor. Worth Googling anyways.

Agree with raee. Small squares change the shape and the scale and look nice in a panel under the hood. Another favorite of mine is Icskaisgirl's panel using tone-on-tone matchstick mosaics.

Could you show us what the stove area looks like?

Thanks again for more replies - you are all so helpful. My cabinets are not yet in (should be next week) but I have the hood flanked by two windows as in this photo

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Not quite like your floor, but here's a link to a Houzz Ideabook of kitchens with brick floors. Your floor pic - the grout looks very light, almost white & isn't there some grey splotches? I can't remember how white Conestoga Crystal White is, but some of these pictures of brick floors & white cabinets combined with white marblelike countertops are a nice combo. The link works but you have to wait a bit for it to go to the Ideabook.

Brick kitchen floors and white cabinets

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LOVE that photo that Romy718 posted! Looks like Ceasarsrone London grey? Looks great!

Thanks so much. I was looking at some corian at the weekend and found a sample of "aurora" it seems like it might work perfectly - it's quiet and the flecks of brown pick up color from the floor tiles. bUT I don't think I want to use corian! Is there any Quartz or granite which would look similar (perhaps those mentioned above - I've not checked those out yet.

Caesarstone Dreamy Marfil might be similar in colour with just a few veins throughout. Not super busy and the veins are fairly subtle. Dreamy Marfil

All the quartz companies make a creamy color. I'd avoid speckles. It was the original look for quartz and has become dated.

I think you need to stick to real stone. I think marble or granite with a very light, soft movement would look great. Depending on how large your kitchen is, a herringbone focal point is simply repeating a pattern you have and tying it all together.