rhome - I agree the dark counters would have been cold and warm but to me, more or less a black color is more neutral, and I was also borrowing the idea from a magazine. Why exactly that black and the beige worked in my inspiration picture is beyond me - I just know that it worked. That picture also showed a kitchen w/ white cabinets and it worked beautifully, but again I can't say why. Probably cause there's a hint of peach or pink that makes it less than just a really dull beige - and then also because the beige went so nicely w/ the floors. Yes I like contrast and I definitely would have had it w/ the black/dark grey counters but I was really trying to move away from something that's not only so ubiquitous these days and yes so potentially dreary in our small, dark, North-facing kitchen. I too like grey and beige together, which is along the lines of liking tan with black. And it's funny cause you know how right now tan and grey is going together more like in interior furniture. As for my instincts, I don't know...I think it's more of a hit & miss thing. I think when I hit it I really hit it but when I miss it, well it's just too often or random for me to be able to gamble considering I won't have the money to rip it all out and start over. Don't even really have the money to be doing this in the first place! :-o It's not deficit spending per se, and half the money's going to pay off the one and only credit card we have, but the money could have gone to pay something more off such as car, or savings toward kids school, etc. (having some guilt there). Re. not having enough faith in my instincts, I agree there too...I just haven't had the opportunity to remodel before (the most I've ever really done is choose paint colors, curtains, rugs, throw pillows and furniture)! I think the bottom line is that black w/ tan works REALLY well - thanks to that magazine picture pointing this out ;) but grey and beige is just a lot more questionable. Here's the clincher, which happens to be what I want to say in response to mondragon: mondragon - What's funny is that I totally agree w/ you that it works in a more modern looking way. I think in a modern kitchen, the stainless steel and beige tiles would look pretty cool. Almost retro-modern, since pink was such a '50's color. Problem is I'm trying to make the kitchen look more 1913 (trying to make the stainless *work* as period, due to its surroundings and the fact that they did have zinc countertops e.g. in pantries back then). So I guess the final question is that while it can look good in a modern kitchen - and that's I guess where I guess my instincts may be okay - can it work in an older looking kitchen (regardless of the fact that marble definitely can)? Something tells me the farm sink, gooseneck faucet and pendant light might tie it all together (and the original cupboards) but once again - not sure. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, and I'm sorry to always be writing so much! I hate that about me but just can't seem to help myself when it comes to something so important to me! Can you imagine having 3 small, messy boys, one big messy husband, and no dishwasher or disposal or undermounted sink to make life dramatically better?! ;) And now I'm thinking of upgrading from a very standard fridge made in 1990 that has 18.2 cu. ft., to something much bigger! Just being able to keep big gallons of milk in the door will be a massive improvement!

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My architect/designer sez these days Granite prices lower than nearly all the other solid surfaces and contributes to its popularity espec if u r not looking for esoteric colors. Marble, which i have alot of in our offices for multiple conf and other tables, even in a dark shade, is "delicate" in the sense that it is brittle and can crack etc, and in a lite color maintenance is brutal b/c it will stain (not an issue with, say, a dark wine color marble like we have but it does crack). I have seen some Granite Tiles used where costs need trimming and when done in larger tiles, and done well and creatively, the look is acceptable and grout lines minimal. So you may be able to compromise in one area this way...it is the long lengths of granite that set you back. Soapstone is a joy b/c of the touch, and if you like it oiled up black, stains not an issue. Natural colors of soapstone are lovely but we have only used that in dining area cabinet tops in bar-like areas...and natural is not good for kitchen. (It also is great in bathrooms, even flooring b/c it isnt slippery). But soapstone is a more old-fashioned/colonial like look...not slick and modern My favorite for counters is Stainless Steel!!! installed in 1993 i still love it. But i would then warm up the look by having the island be done in something else. Also St.Steel with dark wood cabs really look warm and approachable.

I suggest doing your research on fantasy brown if you are considering it. It sounds to me like a marble. (Super white is another that is often billed as quartzite but is is actually usually marble.). Not that there is anything wrong with marble--I chose it for the ktichen in our last house, but I did so knowing what I was getting. Those countertop geology threads are really informative.