When people say that quartz looks like "fake" stone it always makes me scratch my head. For me, I love it because it is clean and uniform--if I wanted "real" stone with the variability that comes with real stone, I'd choose granite or marble. Saying it looks like fake stone is like saying that cork looks like fake wood. Two very different materials, two very different looks. Neither one is better--it's what style you prefer. Exactly! But I have found that many people try to sell quartz counters saying they look like granite but are better/easier/tougher (which I think has already been addressed above). Some of their colours do appear to be in fact imitating the look of real stone. I don't think they do well at that, but I totally agree with you that it's a great choice if you want a uniform or clean look or their vibrant colours.

A friend just sent me this link yesterday, which is perfect reading/viewing for you! http://www.classiccasualhome.com/2017/06/black-and-white-modern-farmhouse.html?m=1Above pic is the HO's original granite which went from polished to honed in the re-do. "Since Lisa wanted dark countertops anyway....honing the existing granite gives it a newer look." Google tells me that this is your quartz below -

Go look at slabs in person. Some I thought I liked I hated in the showroom. I am not into the very large veiny quartz counters that are out now, I like simple with some small pattern within. We went with santamargherita vermont (opus stone) and are very happy with it. A subtle pattern and true white background, didn't want yellow or gray.

We redid our kitchen a few years back and did most of the work ourselves. Also have hardwood (oak) floors throughout house. We eneded up covering the linoleum kitchen floor with engineered hardwood and it looks great. We did not try to match the tones of the hardwood floors adjacent to the kitchen and went with something very different in tones and grain. As for mixing countertop materials, I think it can look great! We did mostly soapstone and then light maple butcherblock and they look so nice together. I like the way the wood softens the overall look of the kitchen, and it is also a really pleasant (and quiet) work surface.