I'm not good at giving detained decorating directions--although you might checkt the decorating forum. I would Google or whatever, "tropical" decorating themes, also look at British colonial-- think dark woods, plus rattan or bamboo. Look at fabrics or bedding in tropical prints--do certain color combinations really send you? You might find a picture of a room that is not a kitchen, but that you can base your kitchen on--especially if is combined with family room. Dark woods and appliances can look good with all the citrus colors --more acid-y yellows and greens, corals and peaches and so forth.There is also a great color scheme using dark woods, white/ivories, and ocean blues, but I am not a "cool" person so I don't gravitate to that--but can admire it in another's room. Decide which things you already have and will not change--? you said curtains--such as sofa fabric, rug; what are you able to change or add for accent--maybe don't want wallpaper in kitchen, but found a great tropical print for throw pillows and will pick up some of those colors. It is easier to collect some of these swatches or samples, and photos, and then try to see what color or stain of cabinet seems best and most "timeless" (though there may be almost no such thing), because certainly wall paint colors and room accent pieces can be changed over the years. I think you are still refining your "vision," so I would work on getting that in a concrete form--your "story board" of colors, materials, combinations that send you--once you get it, you will be better able to see what choices to make to translate that into kitchen materials.

If you love the gray stick with it and imagine how beautiful all your colorful art works in yellows, oranges, blues and turquoise will look hanging on the wall in all their glory. Or how some stained brown wood furniture, mixed with your art and stonington gray would look along with some cool lighting. You can have it all.

How about Ubatuba, Verde Peacock, Baltic Brown. I would consider whites, dark greens, red/browns as your realm in which to look for something that appeals to you. I would suggest something that is fairly consistent. Your runs appear short and a stone with lots of movement would not be very effectively shown in short runs. Let us know what you like.

barncats- Thanks for finding that picture. It does look pretty and I think I will be happy with the look. That is a great idea to lighten up the paint by 1/2 percent. I didn't think of that and it will make a difference for sure. I'll wait on the backsplash decision and hardware until the paint and countertops are in too - great advice. I have 9 Fireclay samples here in their various white options, and I think the current wall and countertop color are darkening and throwing off their true colors. Once I get the countertop in and walls painted, I'll be sure to come back for advice and opinions. Thanks for the edge profile opinions too. It really helped narrow things down.