I would not listen to your GC. Follow your own instinct or you might be unhappy at the end of the project. I updated a small powder room (no window) about eight years ago with a black vanity, Carrera top and polished nickel faucet and hardware. I still think that it looks smart and elegant. Like a little black dress, you can dress it up or dress it down. I also have several pieces of black furniture that I have collected over the years and still love them. You could always just do a feature wall in black and bring in some black accents as they've done in the second photo with the legs on the bar stools.

What did you pick?

Went back and picked my slabs. My fabricator thought it best that I pick in person because I have a very specific idea of what this should look like...ie, I’m a little picky :) Luckily, the first slab we love also had another that was in sequence, so they have a similar flow. My fabricator also said I can come down for the layout, so that I can get exactly what I want on the island. Thanks for all the tips, it’s going to make this kitchen great! The lighting is dark in these pics, but these pieces are fantastic...so happy!

I think the idea of "timelessness" as a trend is in contrast to other periods where being as "modern" as possible was seen as the end all and be all. For the most part, people in the 50's who were choosing all the chrome-bedecked, streamline appliances as well as brand new materials for their kitchens were going for a look as modern as possible. The thinking THEN was that things would keep getting every more "modern" with time. Not that the pendulum would swing back to first, Coloniawful and then 80's country. Actually, the 80's is a pretty good example. You had two streams - one that was all curves and chrome and "modern" (and something of a throwback to the 50's) And the other was painfully country Which rather reflects the dual streams now of "modern farmhouse" kitchens vs. entirely "modern" kitchens with slab front cabinets, lacquer, etc. Although, the 80's (like the 50's) featured something of an obsession with everything in the kitchen being new, for newness's sake. Even that country kitchen was never spoken of as being "timeless". It was what it was, and nobody tried to pretend it was going to be in fashion forever. Now, BOTH camps think their style is "timeless", while in reality neither will be. Because fashion is fickle. Eventually we'll get collectively tired of "modern farmhouse" (some of us are already there). And the "modern modern" kitchen will give way to the next round of technological advances that will create new style opportunities that aren't fixed in place by what was possible with the old. I think the obsession with "timeless" is a symptom of societal anxiety and a little guilt about spending the money (well, I'm only going to do this ONCE, so I'll make sure it's "timeless" and then it will be worth the expense).