Tracey Woods, do you love it?

Is there gray in the rest of your design? Tracey has gray cabinets, yours are white - is that correct? I hope you find something you love. Remember to try to choose finishes that relate to each other. And definitely come back and show us images of what you choose.

eam44, I am using a creamy white and a maple stain. (see below)

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To me, the Ironsbridge can read gray or greige depending on what it is next to. My only concern is whether or not the background is too white.

What do your floors look like? Unless I missed it I didn't see your floors in any of your posts.

The kitchen floors and your specific lighting will make a huge difference in what countertop choices work for your kitchen. Please post the floor along with your cabinet and countertop options.

You have to guard against whites. The more I look at your samples, the more I want you to do the island in the Taj Mahal. Believe me it is fantastic. Costs a bit more, but it is soooo worth it. Timeless too.

The white and gray counter is too white white white and too gray with the cream cabinets. You need something cream based.

A less expensive option would be one of the whiter of the gold granites. They will have the cream base that your cabinets demand, along with some grays. Like Giallo Light, or Venetian Ice. Half the cost of Cambria, and no more difficult to take care of at all. Quartz has cornered the market on marketing. Not durability. Cambria especially. Just like their past marketing efforts to insinuate that all granite was radioactive and a danger to install. They want to make sealing granite sound like the worlds worst chore that has to be repeated weekly. Nothing is further from the truth. Every couple of years, 45 minutes of your time, and 12 hours of cure. That’s it. And that’s if the stone is a budget market $30 one that doesn’t come with one of the 10 year sealers. None of the quartz hype is real. It’s a good surface. But it isn’t the cure for cancer and a box of chocolates to boot.

back to the question you actually asked....i like the rectangular one. darlington? fyi...my parents have had Cambria countertops for 11 years and it still looks great. best of luck to you

Personally I think the Ironsbridge is gorgeous in all the lighting and angles you show it. I love the stain you chose for your lower cabs. The creamy white is a smidge too creamy for my taste, but that is so easily impacted by light color it is something I would not worry about. The soft, mottled grey pattern of Ironsbridge is not trying to mimic anything else. That is part of why I like it, it isn't trying to be faux anything.

In my area the only way to select a specific slab of Cambria was to take a day off work to go to a yard 2 hrs away (open from 9-4, so consumer friendly!). You seem to have met a slab in person, and it is really pretty. I see a lot of people are suggesting quartzite, I love mine but there is a certain degree of buyer diligence you have to do with those slabs since sellers mislabel marble as quartzite often. You probably have 854 decisions left to go so if you love the Cambria, I say go for it and start agonizing over hardware :)

Of the two from your original post, I like Darlington for its homogeneous pattern. I just installed Ironsbridge on white cabinets and absolutely love it. If you are concerned with having too much white in the kitchen, you could use dark hardware and a darker beige grout to break it up.

I would do the rectangular of the two - more white and more uniform. Take it from someone with a granite with lots of pattern - go with less contrast and pattern as when you go from a small sample to a large counter it will be very busy. I like the whiter, quieter quartz options that others have posted. Consider getting more samples.

I do love mine and to clarify, the perimeter cabinets are SW Pure White and the island has a SW stain called gray oak.

Go with quieter pattern. You will like it for longer.

Not a fan of two cabinet colors. And just one color might make the decision easier. But it is your house.

I like the rectangular one, it is more uniform and quieter pattern

I actually prefer the Windemere because it gives some life to the overall look. You have chosen colors well. Both go nicely and normally I would say you would be less apt to get tired of a smaller pattern, but the Windermere is not a huge pattern. I was in a similar dilemma in my previous kitchen, went with the slightly bolder pattern, and was thoroughly happy with it for the 5 years I lived there. How many linear feet will you need? Is there an island that you might be doing in a different counter top? Do you want an under mount or top mount sink? These questions, once answered, might help you decide. Good luck!

It's my understanding that 'splotchy' counter surfaces are going out of style. I would go with a solid or something with a modest pattern. Ideally, it should never go out of style.

I give a thumbs up to your choice of quartz. Your kitchen is one room that takes a beating from use and so far quartz can stand up to it. I refused to use granite or marble whose upkeep would only add to my workload in an already busy area.

I think wood counters look best with painted cabinets. Brings a warmth that stone can't match. And the wood grain is beautiful. I did butcher block. My aunt did pine planks. Just beautiful!

I much, much prefer the square one which has the more colour. One, it looks more natural, two it brings in your cabinet colours better than the other and three, it is simply more interesting to look at. Depending on the style of the rest of your house, you could consider a matte finish vs shiny if available. We have a matte (called leathered) granite on our counters and I love it. Makes any pattern a bit more subtle and let’s the rest of the kitchen shine. Good luck with your kitchen and hope you enjoy it for years to come!

I think from your inspiration pictures you also want something more dramatic than your original choices are. Consider something with veining such as Taj Mahal or White Pearl - love the movement and tranquil color of those two.

If budget is an issue, I certainly wouldn’t move up to quartzite. I would move to using a basic granite. That will be durable, and wear as well or better than quartz, and it will be far more budget friendly. Quartz is really good at marketing itself as the fashion choice of the moment, but granite is not any less durable a choice than it has always been.

The temptation to get the ultimate everything everything is always strong, because you only do this once or twice in your life. That’s when you need to remember that there are still laminate counters from the 60’s still around pulling duty. On 60’s cabinets. 60’s floors. 60’s everything.

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Be sure to view the countertop material on a horizontal plane next to the vertical cabinet samples (as it will be when it is installed) as it will look quite different than comparing them side by side. Good luck!

If you are a minimalist, use the Windermere. If you like a lot of "stuff" on the counters, use the Darlington.

I prefer Darlington, but actually, both are too busy for me. I prefer calm when I'm living in a space opposed to cluttering things up with too much pattern. You can always punch things up with accessories that can be changed as you tire of them. Countertops can't be changed quite as easily. Think carefully. You will be living with your choices for a very long time.

I prefer the rectangular one. It goes great with the cabinets and is softer in color and very elegant.

I also prefer the rectangular one - much less busy than the other, but still very classy. I'm not sure why people are opposed to quartz. I've had mine for 5 or 6 years & it's in perfect condition.

My preference is for the square one because I like more contrast and the warm tone it introduces - but both blend well with your cabinet choices and either would look great.

I had Cambria countertops in my last home and they held up well/much better than lower cost quartz we used in a bathroom and certainly as well as the granite counters we have now. As long as you choose a simple edge, chipping shouldn’t be too bad and either of these patterns will hide them (unlike more solid colors). Good luck!

I add my vote for the rectangle one bc as some above said "it is quieter". That wouldn't have been the word I would have used (I think I would have said softer) but that is a good description.

You can always go with a quieter pattern and use accessories to jazz up a space. I know I get bored...

The square sample is exciting and will make your cabinets pop.

Here are a few more options I am considering:

On the left is Akoya and on the right is Venetia Cream Leathered.

This one is Akoya Followed by Venecia cream leathered and then Venetia cream. I am surprised how different the background color looks for the Venetia.

I like the Venetia cream, not as "busy" as the others.

I think Akoya (far left) appears to have creamier background.

I like the Windermere one better, with that being said, what type of flooring will you have? You must take all three into consideration; cabinet, counter and flooring material. If you have little to no movement in the flooring, go with some movement in the countertop or visa-versa. You don't want to have a clash situation going on between flooring and counter. I have seen this oversight, and hence mistake, so avoid this scenario.

i just drove myself crazy trying to choose countertop & backsplash for kitchen. I finally chose quartz MSI Romano white(countertop) and MSI Bellagio Blend elongated hexagon marble mesh mounted mosaic(backsplash) With an Elkay quartz undermount Greige color sink. Just love how its all blended. Waiting for new cabinet door replacements to arrive. I’ll try to attach picture.

I prefer your first picture with the more subtle marble effect Good luck !

Great idea to go to a lighter color!!

Darlington and Windermere were too dark and not working with your floor. Darlington also way too close to an old fashioned granite...even though not matching your space Windermere is a more updated look because of the bold veining

Love your Avatar!!! GO BIRDS!!

i don't know if this was mentioned, but bring your samples home to see in your space with your light!! everything looks different than in a showroom.

i am not quartz gal, so i have no opinion since it 'does' nothing for me. i am a granite gal with movement! i like to look at my granite and know that its a real rock and rugged (my preference)

my kitchen ^^^

full granite B/S, for me the only way to go! no grout lines for me!! you can't get that look with quartz. but its not for everyone and we are blessed with so many choices.

best of luck!!!

This is Corian Quartz Venetian Creme with the glossy finish. What are your thoughts?

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I am hoping to find the Pental Quartz Akoya in slab form near me.

Looks great with both cabinet colours. It's a nicer, more subtle look than your original choices. Choosing is so confusing!! You're on the right track! It's going to look great.

Thanks shedrivesatruck. I am overwhelmed and don't want to make a $7k mistake.

Get the Venetian Cream Quartz glossy. It looks really nice with the cabinet colors you've chosen. You won't regret it.

I like the Venetian cream in your last set of photos can you show it with your floors?

What do you plan for flooring. I like the Venetian Cream with cabinet wood. Congrats for taking the time to see slabs in person. Pro move!

Here is my flooring. I don't have a photo of everything lined up yet but can post that tonight.

So I made a final decision! We are going with Pental Akoya. I logged many miles to view full slabs of Akoya and Corian Venetian Cream. Here are the photos of the cabinets we are using with the Akoya (and potential backsplash):

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I am think of using Brushed Nickel pulls. Thoughts?

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I love these choices & I don't think you will be disapointed. I'm usually not a fan of darker backsplashes, but I really like that backsplash tile as well. You have done a nice job here.

Yes!!! This will look great! I love the brushed nickel pulls as well. You have pulled everything together so nicely. Your final result will be well worth all of the stress. Please, please post photos when all is finished.

Look great so far!!

Love the countertop choice, much more than the busy ones originally considered. I think a darker hardware finish would tie in the brown cabinets more than the brushed nickel.

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