I know you can't see this very well in this photo but it looks nice with the Taj on the island. It appears to be a solid surface in a taupe-y grey color on the perimeter. If you go with granite, you could have it honed to knock off the shine. You could try something like Caledonia just to check if that would look ok with it, it's a grey stone. One of the black honed granites would be a nice compliment as well as long as it were a more dusty black and honed I think it would be pretty with it or a solid surface off white may work well. Here are some photos, one has stainless steel by the stove. Good luck! [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/camelot-reserve-transitional-kitchen-phoenix-phvw-vp~6155960) [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Scottsdale General Contractors Camelot Homes [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/granite-and-marble-slabs-modern-kitchen-atlanta-phvw-vp~5632317) [Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Dallas Tile, Stone & Countertops Levantina USA [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/stanwich-road-traditional-new-york-phvw-vp~2995374) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Mamaroneck Kitchen & Bath Designers Studio Dearborn [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-eclectic-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~186156) [Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-townhouse-kitchen-transitional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~799107) [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Falls Church General Contractors NVS Remodeling & Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/showplace-inset-cabinets-traditional-kitchen-phvw-vp~519279) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Harrisburg Cabinets & Cabinetry Showplace Wood Products [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/a-showstopper-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~9214456) [Traditional Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2107) by Wellesley Kitchen & Bath Designers Divine Kitchens LLC A couple of the pictures I just liked because the Taj was so pretty in them! A picture of your slab or similar is included. Click on the photos to see them larger.

Floorplan is helpful, but we also need to know how wide your aisles are currently (they look tight around the island?). Here's a quick idea (may not be feasible depending on aisle width) - it might look a little odd to leave that arch hanging but it would give you seating and remove the current barrier island. With the new opening to the LR, you could possibly close off that doorway next to the fridge (where does it go?) and/or partially close the opening between kitchen and breakfast (could be used for pantry space, etc. if necessary). I squared off the angled pantry but I was guessing at the measurements. You could leave the angle as-is with this layout, but the overall appliance arrangement can probably be improved by eliminating that angle (depending on those exact measurements). Or a similar idea with an island instead of peninsula, with the sink and DW moved to the perimeter:

I strongly recommend you go to local flooring shop. There are so many things to consider. Installation is key to getting good end results. Watch for “variations”. Sometimes called V-rating. Get to see pictures of actual installed product. The repeat patterns can get very stripped or fake looking. Colors need to be seen in person with your samples from all elements in your space. If you decide to go engineered wood, I can give you key features to look for.

You can't use the Elkay ELXUFP362010PAO to which you linked becaust it has a full apron and requires a cabinet that accommodates a full apron sink. If you're not getting new cabinets, you'll have to use theElkay ELXUFP3620PAO to get the Parchment color you want. It's easily converted to a workstation sink by having your top fabricator leave a 1/2" rear reveal and having your handyman rabbet a cutting board which is much easier than having him alter your cabinet doors to be able to use the full apron sink. The Elkay ELXFDB3620BGRTO is a possible short apron workstation alternative, however, you'll have to get it in Ricotta which is bright white. Either sink is 36", so your refacer is going to have to leave you a left and a right side dummy drawer to butt to the apron and cover the remaining 6 " or so. It will look fine. I'd get the 3cm. "Is there an advantage to using an apron front and single bowl versus an undermount & double bowl?" Yes. An apron front sink can help greatly with seam placement and veining/movement matching because the only place the slabs touch is in the rear, mostly out of sight and the seam is half covered by the faucet and splash. 98% of my sink replacement customers go from a double full divide to a single bowl. 1% get low divides and 1% fully divided replacements. "Also should we try for a sink deck? Sink cabinets are 48 inches wide. 25 inches deep. We would like a large sink." If you want a 48" sink with an apron that fits perfectly without door alteration and has a faucet deck, you'll have to go custom stainless steel for 4K or so: Bars in islands are out of style right now. It isn't the difference in fabrication costs as much as it is in reworking the electrical, cabinet and wall alterations, etc. No matter what quartzite you choose, make your fabricator take you to the homes of jobs he's already done so you can verify he knows the properties of the stones he sells so bleeding adhesives and other catastrophies aren't an issue.