I just ordered my granite countertops. I chose absolute granite (which is the black one with some specks) instead of black galaxy (that has bigger copper specks)and this with my new cherry wood cabinets. Everything should arrive in the next week or so. Can't wait. Also, and I know people are going to cringe: after seing it on a DIY show, I chose the same black granite (but in tiles) for the backsplash and over the sink, it will go all the way to the ceiling! Ok, ok! I planned for lots of lights: under cabinets, inside cabinets, over some cabinets and recessed lights as well with the new CFL bulbs.

There are so many shades people call "cherry" that I've learned not to assume I know what they mean. Do you have any pics of the cabinets or floor? How about inspiration pics? When I was looking at laminate, I loved the "Soapstones" by Wilsonart. Oiled Soapstone is black with a subtle pattern to it, and Pearl Soapstone is gray. Either strikes me as being neutral enough to fit a classic or contemporary kitchen. If your cabinets are dark, though, you may want an even lighter countertop color, like Formica Mineral Spa. When you say Formica, do you mean laminate in general, or are you definitely using the Formica brand? I can't imagine deciding on kitchen finishes individually. For me, it was most helpful to find inspiration pictures and choose the "look" of the kitchen as a whole to help narrow things down. Here is a link that might be useful: The Formica design center can help you visualize patterns in context

OT, but may be of help to the OP. Hey Lynn2006, I did the backsplash myself and I put those counters in. I was "driven to it" (soapstone) because my cabinet company's suggested fabricator didn't think soapstone was a good idea, too fragile. And then some goofy practices that I didn't like at the suggested stone yard cinched that the deal was off with that fabricator and stoneyard. I went online and researched and learned how to work with soapstone watching YouTube videos. I was nervous but after lots of planning I started the project of fabricating my counters. I had a different stone yard come out and cut my sink hole when I was done placing the counters. I liked them. And today this stone yard just sold me remnant pieces of soapstone for $5/sf. I'll use it for a few bathroom projects in the future. The kitchen soapstone I bought online and had shipped. I love working with the stone. The tile is a marble called Lansdale from The Tile Shop, but I cut the running bond mosaic into individual pieces and set it into a herringbone pattern.

Almost any color would work with natural or light cherry and a light maple floor. Okay, probably not blue or red. But black, deep gray and dark green would all work, and even dark brown might work depending on the rest of the kitchen. I agree with Fori that dark would look best here. You need some contrast in a kitchen, and this is the place to do it. Here's Oxwich Green Cambria (quartz) as an example: http://www.cambriausa.com/collection.cfm/all-colors/oxwich%20green And here it is in real life, though with cream cabinets instead of cherry: http://www.cambriausa.com/galleryDetail.cfm?colorcode=6200&filename=P-115&colorname=Oxwich%20Green