Not sure anything is ultimately "timeless", so pick things you like.

I got quartz simply because my brother told me his stood the test of cooking. So far, mine has. Leathered granite may do so as well.

Pick things that resonate with you, using quality materials that you research out.

When we recently remodeled our kitchen we got stainless steel perimeter counters with an integral sink and cherry on top of the island. I love them both.

So many historic houses have metal counters of copper, zinc and stainless and we have always liked that look. Some people think it looks too industrial but with our white cabinets and lots of windows with cherry frames I don’t think it is industrial at all.

The stainless does scratch but it will eventually patina and ir is so easy to clean in a hardworking kitchen. As with all counters the installer is key. We only have two seams in our large u shaped kitchen. They are welded and almost invisible. It wasn’t cheap but when you factor in that it included the sink and that we are in one of the most expensive areas of the county it might work for you.

I know most people love their granite and quartz but I have read enough sad stories here to make me glad of our choice. There are lots of stainless counter threads here, mostly from about 2008.

Wouldn't that be a Ranch House??

(sorry, just a little joke)

Soapstone. Skip the quartz. Entirely.

deb s, Houzz needs a LOVE button for your kitchen. I love those doors!!!!! Where did you find them.

For OP, How about zinc countertops? i' just cant picture quartz in the setting you have described. In a South Dakota setting, would go with authentic materials. ( sorry. I must be one of the minority who does not like manmade quartz counters.

Love the idea of stainless, soapstone, cherry, industrial shelving mixed with rustic wood. If you haven't already, find some of the episodes where Chip and Joanna Gaines do modern farmhouse.

Sorry, have to disagree with Waverly66 on the rec for Chip and Joanna Gaines TV. Those are affected self-conscious faux-old-timey "farmhouse" decor with unfortunate Word Art everywhere and shiplap ubiquitous. Please don't do that.

I agree with the rec for soapstone. There are many different soapstones, and they vary in how soft they are, so try to find one that is not so soft. From your description, soapstone would seem to fit best.

I also like granite, I think polished finish is easier to wipe down, but will likely be too modern a look. So your thinking about leathered is good, also look at honed. Note that there are a thousand granites in the world, and some are more easy-care than others. There are many that are very dense (a good thing), and don't even need sealing at all, or others that need sealing just once a year, which takes about 5 minutes to do. Then there are some granites that behave more like marble, typically the lighter-colored granites. If you see a granite you like, post on here for feedback.

As to quartz, it is definitely easy care, except for where heat is concerned. I also don't know how timeless it is, or whether it will seem dated in the near future. No one knows that. However soapstone has been around for a hundred years or more as kitchen counters, and granite has been used now for several decades in kitchens.

Waverly66 I bought them from a couple locally who had purchased them from Bali years back. If you monitor auction sites you will find allot of pretty cool armoires and desks etc that can easily be re-purposed - check out liveauctioneers for local auctions it a pretty good aggregation site

I too would do soapstone it is a bit of care required but so beautiful always.There is an excellent article about caring for soapstone just google How to care for soapstone kitchen counter tops.

I hope Sswiddows doesn't mind, but I am going to link her new-kitchen post, which is pretty recent. She used silver gray leathered granite, and also applied an enhancer to it. It looks great.

Also look at a granite called Virginia Mist or Jet Mist interchangeably. Looks very much like soapstone, but without the softness of soapstone so won't ding or chip the way some of the softer soapstones might.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5633513/kitchen-remodel-before-and-after-silver-grey-gray-leathered-granite#n=12 

Shannon-WI, oh absolutely, I agree with you about that word art and shiplap !!!!!!! But ( I feel) there are a lot of great elements that one can pull out from her designs.

Deb S, thanks for the references. will check them out.

Shannon-WI I was going to do the same. The Silver Grey granite looks like sopastone but does not have the upkeep of soapstone. Kati knock have fun with your build!

I have some leathered granite in 2 bathrooms - it looks really cool and unique, and the texture hides water spots extremely well. Personally I don't think I'd do a leathered finish in my kitchen though, just something about sliding around dishes/glass on a surface that isn't perfectly smooth...

We are farmers in IL and built our home a year ago. We also make almost every single meal. We put in soapstone in November and I absolutely love it. My definition of upkeep must be different. Oiling it as needed, which I haven't done for at least 2 weeks maybe 3 now, is nothing more than wiping on the oil and wiping it back off. We are definitely not careful with it.

If you have cattle and you're calving in South Dakota I hope it is going better than it sounds. Even with the weather I'd move to South Dakota in a heartbeat if I could. I'm afraid my spoiled IL cows would not handle South Dakota though.

Good luck on your new home!

Here's a leathered Virginia Mist (Jet Mist ) Granite. Love it w/the copper sink. (not this farmhouse one per se, but copper. I love my copper sink)

here is a honed, same stone. leathered has more texture than honed.

This is quartzite that resembles soapstone. (much stronger than soapstone) Negresco and it's honed. Polished would look like the wet soapstone.

silver gray

or a quartz that resembles a cement or concrete look

OT, Beth H, I have to give you a shout out. You always take the time to give constructive, well thought out posts with lots of photos and good advice. I love seeing your answers.

I love that silver gray!! wow... I'd do that in a heartbeat. I compromised on my counter tops, put in good ol' laminate, but it looks a lot like that silver gray. It is textured, looks a lot like concrete. I wanted the whole house sound system more than I wanted expensive counter top. I figure for the price of laminate I can replace in 10 years if I feel the need.

I really had nothing intelligent to add... lol

very nice of you to say, Waverly. thanks.

Oh, your story is so lovely! And your house is just BEAUTIFUL

I think I am going to visit South Dakota some day, I really dream to see the rodeo. However, I found out there were some changes rarenews24.com/2019/05/rapid-city-rodeo-changes about it, so I just wonder is it still a great show to see?

OK...being on a farm or ranch...have you considered concrete counter tops?

What will your flooring be?