It doesn't hurt to keep looking and to keep a file of things you like.

My advice is to seek timeless finishes, furnishings and equipment, and avoid the trendy stuff, which will grow old and out of date quickly. Often this may mean neutrals with an accent or feature wall, cabinet or whatever, which is what your first two photos show.

An architect, interior designer or kitchen designer can help you explore options and make final decisions. Have you considered buy a day's or two time from one of these experienced professionals to give you some needed help in the right direction?

Thank you for your interest in Cambria! With the color schemes you are looking at, we recommend the following design options:

Swanbridge: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg3xkpQAO2K/?hl=en&taken-by=cambriasurfaces

NEgal, do you have any kitchen showrooms where you could go to look in person at kitchens, and perhaps gather some inspiration?

Are there any other must-haves for you, besides the countertop material?

Do you want a blue island?

Are you more interested in form or function, or is about a 50-50 split : ) ?

Finally, I'm wondering, after your last kitchen project, and after doing a lot of looking, if you just might be a bit fatigued? If so, maybe give the kitchen planning a bit of a rest, and come back in a month or so with fresh eyes. Good luck!

Hi Becky, I have been drawn to pictures of a blue island for a couple years now. I did see the tan perimeter cabinets with a blue island in a showroom last year and really liked it. I will have to go back and take a look at it. I was thinking maybe I should start looking at some kitchen set ups and see what hits me. I tend not to go with trends but what I like and is eye catching.

I am interested in both form and function as both are important to me. My home will only be about 2100 sq feet so my kitchen will not be large and I want to make the most of it. I will post the plans once we receive them for input.

My kitchen was renovated about a year and a half ago but I very well could be fatigued lol

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it.

Thank you Cambria for the suggestions!

Is this for the Fl home or the one in New England? If the FL one, you must check with my cabinet guy. He's better priced than most with the exception of something like Ikea.

Hi CP, my Florida home is all done and we moved in October 2016!

We bought in one of the communities in Venice. Yup, those dreaded stock homes that poor girl is having trouble with. Pulte too. lol So far we have had no issues. Thanks for the thought though, greatly appreciated!

You got to have light on your work surfaces, a lot. Like 450 lumens. Juno makes 2" recessed led cans that put out 1000 lumen flood patterns that should work. Here. They can go a few inches in front of uppers so you don't shadow your work. Plus sink and range. Undercab lights are needed too.

Having done renovations before definitely puts you ahead of those who have no experience with the process. Finding a designer can help you focus in on your design and bring your vision to reality.

In regards to a two-tone kitchen; the look has been around for a while and if you are planning on this being your “forever home”, I suggest you choose styles and colors that you will wake up to every morning and love!

We have done a pale blue island with cream brushed wall cabinets, which looks beautiful with dark flooring. Using bright white cabinets on the wall would reflect more natural light into the room, which will make it brighter overall. Doing a dark/navy island will draw the eye down and create a centerpiece for the space. We were involved in a renovation of an older home in Boca Raton that did just that. The low ceilings were a concern for the homeowners do to the lack of natural light, however using extra white shaker wall cabinets with grey accents gave them the look and visibility they wanted. They also accented the backsplash with tonal grey subway tile.

https://www.houzz.com/projects/3043350/boca-raton-beach-house-kitchen-remodel

We use Cambria in many of our kitchens, and in our showroom. It is a great product and it looks beautiful once it is in. I do suggest going and looking at the full slab in person and having an experienced installer template and install your countertops. We have seen many issues arise from clients using installers who are not familiar with manufactured quartz products. They are very different from granite, marble, and other countertop products.

Best of luck.

I am going with gray wall cabinets and a dark blue island. (They should be in the next few weeks. Hopefully!)

I don’t care for tan or white kitchen cabs. Just not my thing. Some people will say that gray cabs aren’t “in” anymore … my designer and cabinetmaker disagree. They are still going strong. (Plus I am a fan of getting what you want and like … no matter what!) It’s all good and you have to live with it

I went with a colored backsplash. I didn’t want any thing plain or somewhat ordinary there. (I love subway tiles and have it in other bathrooms … I just didn’t want it for the backsplash.)

Have fun!

Very pretty, thank you for sharing. We are doing modular and have several friends who have used this company and are very pleased. I doubt I will be able to choose the slab but can ask. Thanks for the information and suggestions. I do think I am going with white on the perimeter. I love the color blue and have wanted a blue island for several years and have not waned from the thought yet so it may be what I end up choosing. I live in RI in a coastal town so I feel it would be very fitting.

Stumpdarby can you show me pictures when it is installed? Id love to see how it looks! It sounds very pretty!

Stumpydarpy, that tile is beautiful! I really like your choices and think it will look great. The home we just sold that we lived in for 23 years needed an almost full gut as well. Most rooms were down to studs and it needed all new plumbing, electric, etc. The walls had horse hair plaster! It was a huge undertaking but we tried to keep as much of the character as we could. The home was built in the very early 1900's. We did another renovation before we sold. It was exciting and frustrating all at once. It will be well worth it once it is done. Thanks for sharing your choices. I cant wait to see pics of the finished product.

NewEnglandgal, thanks! You sound like you are reno pro! (Horse hair plaster! Wow.) I’m trying to remember this is all supposed to be fun … I’m trying! I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Stumpydarby it really is fun as long as things go relatively smooth. When do you think you will be moving in? We were told, rough estimate, March.

I thought beginning of September … but it will probably be later because we are adding a pool. It took forever to get pool designs and bids. Hopefully everything will be finished by mid October. Fingers crossed.

I would love an in-ground pool but for 2-3 months warm weather it isn't worth it but am hoping for a nice above ground with a deck around it. That's MY plan anyway, not sure my husband feels the same lol

I am headed there today for a week on the west coast. I have a home in Venice and my parents are in Port Charlotte (my reason for visiting so often) so I know how hot and humid it is!

Stumpy, I'm also in SW FL (close to NewEnglandgal) and we put a pool in our new build. Best thing we did. Last week and the week before we were in it every afternoon it wasn't raining. My DH wasn't sure he wanted one and he's using it more than me now.

Cpartist, I picked up that you were living in Florida. I’m in central Florida. My DH can’t wait for the pool either! The pool/spa bids were waaaaay more than I thought they would be. (We didn’t want a screen initially … but that’s what ya get with two huge trees around. Plus we won’t have to deal with all the bugs and animals!)

Several of the pool salesman were just awful to work with. (I got recs from people as well as cold called.) I’m glad we finally found a wonderful company that didn’t jerk me around. Fingers crossed it goes somewhat smoothly!

Cpartist, I picked up that you were living in Florida. I’m in central Florida. My DH can’t wait for the pool either! The pool/spa bids were waaaaay more than I thought they would be. (We didn’t want a screen initially … but that’s what ya get with two huge trees around. Plus we won’t have to deal with all the bugs and animals!)

Several of the pool salesman were just awful to work with. (I got recs from people as well as cold called.) I’m glad we finally found a wonderful company that didn’t jerk me around. Fingers crossed it goes somewhat smoothly!