I'm in the same predicament. I've chosen Huxley in Oak with the Auburn finish. I spent far too much time yesterday looking at counter tops that I can't afford. The counters I saw made from tiles had noticeable seams. I suppose that depends on the installer but I didn't like them. After looking at Corinthian Solid Surface Pyrenees series Tundra, I think I could be happy with that but for the amount I need, I probably will have to make a different choice. There are several I would take and if money were no object I'd have exactly what I want but since that isn't going to happen.........I'll have to pick something. The samples are so little it's impossible to see what it will really look like. My other thought was to get Formica with the beveled edge and upgrade in a couple of years. I will have a farm sink so that also creates its own problems but I've seen them installed above the counter height and I saw a display yesterday with Formica inside the sink hole. I can't wait for the new sink and cabinets many more years so I have decided to get as much of my dream kitchen as I can now and upgrade if I am still alive. It's so much fun choosing everything until I start adding it all up. Everything starts at $500!

here are scanned pictures of the drawings the cabinet vendor left with me. I would like the cabinet to take up minimal space on the counter, easy daily access, accommodate all the daily grooming needs ( toothbrush, facial wash, water pik, etc.) have electrical outlets. I don't know how much help this is but it has put my remodeling at a standstill until I can come up with something I can live with. It is not a very big bathroom and I just want something simple and easy to clean. Nothing woodgrain white or light grey. Very simple modern European look. Thank you for your suggestions and help.

@thinkdesignlive I had no idea that the blues I'd picked out had red in them. I have been in touch with a Sherwin Williams color consultant, and will probably buy paints from her/ get her advice about actual paint colors when it comes to that. She'd also suggested figuring out the countertop first, in order to get it to work with the floor, before thinking about paint colors -- and she was the one who actually mentioned (an unspecified shade of) blue to go with the floor. The other half of my kitchen has a lot of bright colors, so that's another thing to keep in mind. I'd prefer not to have a totally solid color -- after all, butcher block would look nice (right?) and isn't solid. In terms of less busy stone, what about a Aspen White granite or a quartz with a more subtle veining pattern? We've seen Taj Mahal in both quartz and quartzite and though it would probably work very well, hadn't felt drawn to it. I also am liking some of the quartzes with subtle veining (see the top left four little squares in the first picture in the original post) -- would something like that be too busy, and/or are there granite or other natural stone options that are similar (if we decide to go the natural stone route)? I also found this suggestion on Houzz of a less-busy granite that might work with a slate floor - thoughts? -- I do have the beginnings of an idea book, here and on Pinterest -- here are a couple of links to ones I particularly like: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/307863324533778336/ I love the blue cabinets with the slate floor! Although we are probably going with a stainless farmhouse sink. Notice the white-is countertop: wonder what material that is? http://pinterest.com/pin/15621929927201978/ Interesting how they offset the look with a blue/butcher block island and white cabinets. We don't have the option of an island as contrast, so I wonder how this could be incorporated. Thanks, @thinkdesignlive and everyone else!

I'd go w a slate look vinyl tile. and the middle choice of the formica in row of five. A mini trac lite above sink and serpentine one in center of kitchen will assist w lighting . Then the slate look floor will ground the space/not be so dark and help the oak go for another lease on life as per your decision.... [ consider swap of some uppers for glass doors] . Not sure about beige sand cream floor tones...just get a slate look /classic/ hard to beat.