Dear Forum, Thank you all so much for your opinions and encouragement. It really helps. (Beautiful kitchen, interj!) I know that, at the end of the day, I should have what I like -- trouble is, I have a tough time visualizing these options and my past experience with doing what I like doesn't always serve me well (ha ha -- I have made some disastrous choices!) Maybe it will be easier once the demolition is over and they've cleared the room! Then I can take a picture and mess with it in Photoshop. In the meantime, I'm trying not to have regrets about going with a black island which seems to have limited my choices and bumped my budget! But there's no turning back on that. I do visit the Finished Kitchen blog often for inspiration, though I'm not too successful translating what I see into what I've got, if that makes sense. Soooo, in reviewing my choices, I have: 1. Put the white marble back in the mix -- maybe the stylish lady at the tile store was wrong! 2. Consider wood -- My DH doesn't "get" this idea, so is giving it the thumbs down, but I've always loved wood in a kitchen, so... 3. Consider matching island top and counters. Maybe the black on black will not look as oppressive or weird as I imagine (am going to get some samples and put the Caesarstone next to the black cabinet finish to see the effect). Thank you all again. I don't know what I'd do without this forum. Tina

Don't freak out yet. I usually hate all my design choices in the beginning but as the space comes together it usually works out. I definitely see what you're saying with the floor and counters. But I don't think they look terrible together. If anything, I like the contrast the lighter floor color has from your cabinet choice. Same holds true for the counters. If replacing the floor isn't an option then I'd just hang tight until the space gets complete. You can always throw a rug down or use some decorate pieces to draw your attention away from the floor.

Renee you must be overwhelmed with all of these comments. Your countertops are GORGEOUS, so I do hope you keep them. Sophie's suggestion to stain the floors is well worth looking into. For what it is worth my suggestion for your backsplash is to go with a simple solid tile in a lighter color that coordinates with the countertop. I would suggest you not go too small with the tile- 3x6 to 4x12 would be a good size to stick with. You want to avoid too much movement in the backsplash as the counter (and the floor) have quite a bit of movement and you do not want them competing. Let the countertop be the star of the show. Good luck and let us know how it all ends up for you.

@Sharon Perkins Really great result and such a difference for making the counter look perfect! Love the new mirror, repositioned medicine cabinet & wall color! Thanks for coming back to show us. And, your lovely son-in-law - is he good with the changes after seeing how good it looks?