I am not sure if I am following correctly, but for what it's worth, I think I like the granite (like at the bottom of your last photo)- I know it's on the dark side but I think it has more life, more warmth, interest than the others. I have something similar for my kitchen counters so maybe I am biased. I googled your counter tops and while it would seem black white or gray would complement, I think for interest sake I would opt for the varied granite choice I should have really prefaced this by saying I am far from a decorating expert- so you should wait for the rest of the crew to weigh in.:)

I only have three granite choices: absolute black, wheatfield, or tan brown. I can do black slate (which I didn't like) or a beige marble which did not look good with my flooring. Builder gives you very few choices, unfortunately.

I love the absolute black. It coordinates with your island and will go with any color or decorating style you choose to decorate either room with, either now or in the future. A simple and elegant statement. :)

I would go with black slate - it looks great and you will never have any worries about it. Mine was put in 31 years ago and looks like new.

Some examples with varied decor.

What is the advantage of using slate over granite?

I like the black also, but really like black slate. My neighbor has black slate and it looks gorgeous. Why would you have to do white brick? Many, many fireplaces have white trim and red brick surrounds. It can also be nice. I don't care for the tile at all.

The builder requires that the stone or brick used for the exterior of the house be used on the interior. My outside brick is Windsor White, so that would have to be my interior brick. It just doesn't work with my interior selections.

Is slate or granite more transitional? My house is a good blend of modern and traditional finishings.

My vote is for the black.

Black.

Black granite or black slate?

Or you could always go black marble.

Black marble not a choice, only beige marble. Black slate, beige marble, black, green, wheat field, or tan brown granite are my choices.

Black slate = timeless

Black slate.

I'm sorry you can't pick your own stone. Did the builder give a reason? I mean, other than "I just don't do that".

Black slate is my first choice, followed by black granite.

Never imagined I would vote for black slate-but in this case, I am. Second choice-black granite. I think slate will give warmer appearance than the granite..

My builder is a tract builder and limits choices. It's frustrating because it is not an entry level house but trying to work around it.

If the granite is shiny, I would do the slate for sure.

Any chance you can just get a credit for now and put the tile on after you move in? Tiling is not that difficult to do.

No all finishings must be in place per building codes in our state. The loan can't close without them.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but thinking about black slate for my own fireplace surround sometime in the future. Is it typically templated and fabricated like a countertop, or is it large format tile with minimal grout lines? Lots of photos I see of beautiful slate surrounds have two upright pieces and then a horizontal piece at the top across the entire width.

I love the absolute black also. I have it on my kitchen island. For the fireplace surround it is terrific. It immediately grabs your attention as you enter the room and pulls your eye to the focal place "fireplace", exactly where you want the attention to go.