I was going to do a medium-grey soapstone (still sad I'm not doing it, actually) and I think that would look great. Or obviously if you don't want soapstone you could get something like either grey or charcoal-colored Ceasarstone which is pretty nice I think. Whatever you do, it shouldn't have too much in the way of speckles, sparkles, swirls, veins, in my opinion. If you get a soapstone, I'd get one that has very little veining. We've made the crazy decision to do stainless w/ marble subway tile backsplash. I would NEVER have gone for this (I want a period kitchen in my 1913 house) had I not seen very inspiring pictures online and in magazines, that show a stainless counter w/ white farm sink in an old house, with marble backsplash, white cabinets, wood floors and an island with either a marble top or something that contrasts with the stainless such as butcher block or soapstone. I prefer to have my island's top be a nice rich wood, just cause it warms up the coolness of the stainless steel, and was often seen near the steel counters in the early 1900's homes (only back then, instead of stainless, the counters were zinc...so really, stainless isn't too far from period). Anyway, I digress, obviously (still trying to talk myself into the decision I've already made!), but wanted to point out that if you're not going to be as nutty as me and do stainless, any greyish color that's pretty simple/uniform would be beautiful. I even think wood would work, if the marble had some tan in it. Here's a nice gray caesarstone: http://www.caesarstoneus.com/catalog/product.cfm?ProductID=111 Here's the marble subway tile that inspired me (when I thought I was getting dark grey countertop): http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0222343629720.html Here's the stainless pic w/ marble backsplash that most inspired me (although I prefer subway marble): http://picasaweb.google.com/quapaw/Our1890HomeAndKitchenRemodelRestoration?feat=embedwebsite#5252790674989404962 This is my favorite soapstone link (from gardenweb). It's got veins but very subtle: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0110311030000.html?11 And here's some beautiful marble minibrick subway tile, w/ black or dark grey countertop: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg101250599127.html HTH, and sorry I don't know how to put in proper links (sorry you need to cut/paste)!

Thanks Robin! Based on the suggestion of Simply White from you and one other person, I tried it out along with White Dove, Gardenia, Mascarpone, SW Snowbound, a few of my own formula concoctions, and dozens of big paint chips. Simply White is the definite winner! Thanks again for your suggestion. I hope my finished kitchen looks half as good as yours!

I looked at all of your helpful suggestions on the largest paint chips each store had available. Here's what I tried out with painted samples and how they looked with my marble: *White Dove--sickly yellow-green undertone *Gardenia--very pretty but had a slight peachy undertone *Mascarpone--too yellow *SW Snowbound--very close but had a slight pink undertone *a few of my own formula concoctions *color match to the Kraftmaid white cabinet sample door I haven't returned yet And then I finally tried Simply White. Winner!! It's perfect. Chantilly Lace was a very simple white, but too stark. Simply White is also a simple white and has a touch of yellow, but not enough to turn it yellow like Mascarpone. It's just warm enough not to look sterile, but not so warm it's yellow. And now I will use Simply White for all the trim in the main part of the house since every room is basically open to each other, and the trim on the cabs will run around the entire ceiling. Thank you everyone! Fori, Drjoann, Pps7--loved seeing your rooms again. (Fori, tell me again why you left that great space! ;))

Mine is venatino. I was told they come from the same quarry but are classified by appearance. The background of the venatino is whiter where the background of carrera is more grey. My slab has a mix of spots and finer dark veins with some more subtle broader ones. They reminded me of ink squiggles and blots on old parchment. I thought of da Vinci and I was sold. And in the end, that's really what matters -- finding a look that is special to you. No one else may see my marble the way it hit me.