"Is it stupid/unclassy to install brand new cabinets and put formica on top?" I don't think so, because we built a whole new house with a grand kitchen (IMO) and most of it has laminate (island has DIY wood, and we have stainless by the rangetop). I have always had excellent experiences with laminate and with all the other expenses for the house, realized that, for me, it wasn't necessary to spend that much money on counters. Granite has just never been one of my dreams or 'must have someday' things. As soon as I, basically, gave myself permission to be happy with laminate and not worry about whether it was right or classless to put it in a nice, new kitchen, I felt much more relaxed and content. Recently my sister sent me an ad for a good price on marble, which is kind of my dream surface, but when I thought about how I can drop stuff, slide my mixer, spill things, etc. on my laminate without giving it a second thought, I couldn't seriously think of changing it. Of course, marble would need to be babied more than I think black granite or soapstone would be, but I think you know what I mean. I don't think you really need to worry about either material you're considering, but you don't need to feel you 'have' to have stone, either. If it were me, I'd choose the soapstone, because like our stainless, some wear and patina is expected in the long run, so I wouldn't worry if it got a mark in it to get, perhaps, a head-start on the 'patina.' :-)

Thanks for the additional advise! Well, we were sure we wanted the pewter color for the island, so I ordered enough of that for this purpose. It looks great on the dark blue/grey and looked good on the then still wooden perimeter cabinets. So I went ahead and ordered the additional ones needed for the perimeter of the kitchen. Now that I’m nearly done painting (some more drying time for the doors), and having seen a white kitchen with black hardware again at the big blue Swedish store, I revisited my decision. I didn’t unpack the ordered hardware yet and ordered a couple of the wrought iron/black ones today. I’m holding off on installing the doors until the black ones come in to have a side by side comparison. I’m still within the return window of the hardware and would only lose the shipping costs. So we’ll see.

Nice change! I think if you're looking to update the design, you want to keep the minimalistic feel by decluttering some counter space. Less is more! Also, the two toned cabinets are a perfect opportunity to create more contrast! Perhaps updating the backsplash to something that either matches more or contrasts more. Finally, changingthe light fixture can completely transform your room- and its an easy update!

The nice thing about small kitchens (and yours looks very pleasant) is that you can afford a bit better quality for the counters and cabinets. I think white cabinets _are_ timeless combined with real stone - eam’s suggestion of soapstone or Danby marble would look beautiful. You could set those materials aside as probable choices and concentrate on what you want for the cabinet layout. I suspect the lack of a feeling of timelessness in kitchens is dependent on two parts 1) use of artificial materials that place the room in a particular decade ( I’m guessing that will happen with quartz) and 2) the lack of any custom fitting. If you go with all standard cabinet dimensions the kitchen will feel like a contractor’s special. Consider designing some of the cabinets to serve your particular needs - baking, preserving, etc. If you can focus on having a kitchen tailor fit for you the end result will be satisfying, and it will feel timeless because it will really serve you. That said, I’m going to say that functionally I don’t love microwaves over stoves because their fans are usually terrible. Could it find a different home in your new kitchen?