If you love the blended look stay on track. I think you are going for the right look to make you happy. And you are not alone. Check out these images. Maybe they can help with the confidence and show your FIL that it will be BEAUTIFUL. Keep in mind each slab of White Spring or Giallo or Santa Ceci, is going to have slight variations. If you love the blended look stick to the granite that is going to have the best match to the cabs. It is hard to pick from an image, being up close and personal to each rock is the way to choose. ~boxerpups Pictures of various granites that blend with the cabs and have a contrasting island. this one is Giallo O

We did two different cabinets and two different counters. For me the key was that (1) my island and some of my cabinets are white which is not too busy (you have black, the same thing) (2) I used only one counter material that was dramatic & the second was more even in tone/less coloration and (3) our two counter colors were in the same color family - both were basically medium gray - one all and the other gray with white. Pietra del Cardosa perimeter counters & super white quartzite island I was very nervous about this decision. Many people said 2 cabinet one counter or two counters one cabinet. But I am excited about our final decision to do both. I like a less uniform look. I worried that what I picked up looked to matchy but it doesn't in person. If you did a darker, more even tone stone like a black on the perimeter and something on the island that had more movement and just pay attention to how the counters work together you should be fine. As I keep having to remind myself, look at your inspiration photos or the FKB again to see what inspires you. I would also keep an open mind on lighter granites. Bring a your cabinet door, or other finish sample to see how they look with the slabs counters. You may be surprised and find something that works with both. But you don't have to be afraid to do two different counters if it the option you love. Regarding specific granites, I didn't find many grays. I loved pietra but it is not as durable as other granites and I love soapstone but is even less durable - both can be gray, the first lighter the second more likely black when "oiled" or very dark green, but gray if unoiled, but I don't know if people use them that way. The one mentioned in the previous post seems gray in photos but I have not seen it in person.

THANK YOU ALL for the great suggestions! I'm definitely going to go lighter for the countertops then! Showed all the comments to my hubby as well to convince him ;) At the warehouse now... just found out slab #3 (light gray and white) has a "smiley face" crack on it :/ I'll have to see if the fabricator can work around it. The "super white" looks super gray here. The frosty carrina looks great but still a little expensive for us :( Aprilneverends-You're so right about the movement on the cabinets! We had painted over builder's oak. That is a big factor that I'm considering when picking the movement on the countertop Aboxofcrayons-I love your cabinets! Is it the distressed wood look? I would love to see your kitchen once the countertops are installed! Oldbat2be- I have laminate right now and there are few burn spots on it too. I'm dying for something new, glossy, and durable :) Torreykm-We had our cabinets painted with a gray stain. I originally wanted a distressed wood or driftwood look. Our GC ended up painting it! We just left it then lol. I can find out which color and brand we used and I can post it here when I get back home :) I'll keep you guys posted! Thanks so much again!!!

Not a fan of this granite but willing to live with it IF I can get lighter painted cabinets. Need to replace all doors as some are broken. Hardware too. Will hire a pro to paint. Will change wall color too, once cabinet color is sorted out. Kitchen faces east with lots of windows, so very bright/light. Lots of ceiling lights. Walnut trim throughout the house which is staying. Tile floor is beige/sand color. Doors have been routed in a u-shape to accept hinges. Can’t change the hardware and keep the doors without major woodwork repairs to each door. New doors will allow more options. What color to paint cabinets first, then walls. Buttercream? Off White? Again, the countertops are very dominant. Suggestions?