I definitely don't want wood, but thanks for the suggestion. I'm a little bummed tonight because I went to buy a sample of the tile backplash I liked, but the shade of the current batch has more beige brown in it and I liked the charcoal greys that were more prominent. I was too delayed in buying it! Anyway, I did some looking and decided that Corian is not an option in a darker color. Didn't like it. Can't use laminate because of the undermount sink. Lab counters don't sound like a great fit. I think they might be too dark also. Here's my options I think: 1)Honed Granite: if I want to risk the staining issues. No scratching or heat worries right? Perfect color choice. 2)Quartz: risk of chemical stains, risk of heat damage from griddles, slow cookers. No scratches, perfect color choice. 3)Stainless: No staining, heat damage, and scratches only add to the look. Not a perfect color choice. 4)Soapstone: Great color, not staining, no heat damage. Chips easily? It would appear that stainless is a great option for the durability but I really want a tile backsplash. I liked the look of marble mosaic because the pattern was small and from a distance, it would look uniform. I want to look somewhat industrial but not 100%. My floor tile looks like a rusty metal. In the daylight, depending on the angle, it is very reflective, like an old mirror. Without daylight, it has the copper/bronze color more. It is the most awesome tile!! But, I want some warmth. I will have tongue and groove ceiling painted to match the cabs. So would stainless counters be too much metallic? Would they work with a darker tile backsplash. I also like a 1x2 multicolor slate backsplash or something like these: http://www.missionstonetile.com/products/17-Tabarka/tabarka-med-10 Here's my faucet and sink too: How do these compare to each other in price. I have no idea. We supposedly are able to get less expensive AB granite here because it is quarried locally.

Look at your inspiration photo (the last one) again. It is not wall to wall windows. There is breathing room and wall space around the windows. While a wall of glass might be different, I don't like a wall of windows, especially without breathing room. Go back to three windows or even one larger and two narrower ones. I like the C-shaped idea, but I would make the cabinets stained like your main ones. Your hood is more like that one above, the barrel shape, right? You are using the chimney style in the drawings and that just doesn't look right with panels around it. I don't think a hood looks sad and lonely if not connected to cabinets -- I think it looks clean and functional, but I wonder where my oils and things, my serving pieces, etc. will go. LOL (You could look into putting in some niche space in your backsplash or to the side.) If you do uppers, I do like the idea of stained better, and I do think the same height is better. Or just put one on the window wall to the counter to balance the one at the other end and forget the other one. (be brave -- the copper is beautiful and can shine on it's own). Make the island less of a cabinet that turns the corner and treat it more like a piece of furniture added to the rest of the kitchen. Give it a different color, different counter, different trim, hardware and even a different (but related - not too different) door style. Maybe put it on feet. My thoughts, anyway. ;-)

stacey, I totally sympathize! It took me forever to make up my mind about countertops. My island sat for 2 months with no top at all because I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. I agree with holligator that most of your inspiration pics don't have both wood floors and wood counters. For example, in the inspiration photo you said was from mamadadapaige, the white tile floor supplies the contrast. They've also broken up all the wood with a very dark countertop on the perimeter. If you're looking for a top that will still look new in 3 years, I'm wondering if wood is the right choice. Wood is softer than stone and scratches and dings more easily. I have a wood top on my hutch that is stained to match my island. It has lots of scratches on it already. It's only been in for 4 months and I've had to use the touch-up kit numerous times; consequently, it requires much greater care and maintenance than my marble. I'm not going to push marble on you because I actually think the Costa Esmerelda provides just the right amount of contrast and would be the smartest choice for resale. However, if you're considering marble, you won't have any stains if you seal it a couple times a year. I'm not sure what type of marble appeals to you, but Carrera, for example, is much, much cheaper than any Silestone/Caesarstone and many granites. Perhaps you can ask people who have had marble for 3 years or more to post photos or share their experiences with wear and tear. And here's a photo I found on the Crown Point website with light counters and what looks like a wood top on the island. The wood top matches the floor while the island is darker. I like how they injected color with the backsplash, which along with the contrasting white of the trim and hood keeps this kitchen from being too monochromatic and ho-hum.

Oh wow, thank you all SO much for your replies! You are wonderful and have given us lots to consider! remodelfla - You know, we never thought of laminate! Thanks for the suggestion! I took a peek online and there are some pretty cool soapstone looks, but I'm concerned about the seams and the "green" factor (we're trying to make our home as low VOC as possible without going broke). Hmmm... johnliu - My DH likes your vote! That is pretty much exactly what he wants to do - Give it a shot, and scrap it and go with wood if it doesn't turn out right. I had no idea that Ikea was having issues with their wood countertops - we need to look into that (eek). And I completely understand what you mean about granite not fitting a cottage look. Thanks for your reply! dianalo - Thanks for your butcher block vote! sparklekitty - (Cute name!) Thanks for your suggestions! Yeah, the more I look at the photos, the more I agree that the dark counters give the nicest contrast. I'm thinking that we should go this route one way or another. ellendi - I would love a matte finish dark granite like Jet Mist. A terrific suggestion, thank you! For a while I had my heart set on Nordic Black granite in an antique finish (which I learned about through this forum). I absolutely love the look and low maintenance, but unfortunately, it seems to be pretty pricey. :( Is there any chance that the Jet Mist would be $30ish a sq ft? I don't want to get my hopes up, but I'll look into it. cleo_2007 - Wow! What a creative idea and gorgeous kitchen (with exactly the look we love)! Thank you!! Staining the wood dark...inexpensive, cottagy and contrast. Verrrry interesting. We will definitely need to explore this idea further! One of my goals for the house is to keep it as low VOC and non toxic as possible. I'll do some research on the India Ink. Waterlox, while awesome, I think is pretty high in VOCs. (My nose has been off the charts sensitive ever since I got preggo with our now 17 month old.) But - maybe there is a low/no VOC food safe Waterlox alternative. ? I'm excited to look into this more. boxerpups - Yes, the India Ink idea is definitely growing on me! I was concerned about the maintenance for the concrete as well. I'm really hoping that I can find a durable yet no VOC alternative to the Waterlox and we just might be in business! I suppose one down side would be that a scratch would reveal the lighter wood underneath, right, and it would probably require at least re-sealing annually? But, granite needs to be resealed, and soapstone oiled (for the dark look) - so I could probably talk DH into that. Very exciting, indeed! Thanks for your reply! blfenton - Thanks for your dark wood vote! I didn't think of trying other places aside from Ikea for the wood - we'll have to look into that! Great suggestion - thank you! dawn8b - You have marvelous taste! ;) I'm glad that you love it too! It's funny, I bought the shades to try and make it look more casual - I should have saved our pennies and left them off, lol. Oh well! It is beautiful either way. Thanks for your reply! sadiebrooklyn - Another matte, dark contrast vote. Thank you! And thanks for your compliment on the green! We did use it in the kitchen in our last house, and I adored it. It is the one color that we are using again. (It makes me feel like a little bit of our first home traveled with us.) We renovated our last house for sale and I was sad that we didn't get to enjoy the new kitchen for very long, but, I am very excited about all of these ideas for our "forever home's" kitchen. I'm off to research how to create a dark wood, budget and eco friendly countertop in our kitchen! But please feel free to keep those suggestions coming! Thank you all, again!! :)