rmancuso - I just finally got samples of a bunch of quartz and brought it home with the ikea door to see in my apartment. Glad I did - I took the london grey, along with some of the recommendations above and some other randoms. I ended up liking the london grey the best! It doesn't look the same in an ikea showroom as in your home. Also I find the quartz was more grey/beige tone then bright white as it appeared at ikea. On a side note - I like the picture of Jillian Harris's kitchen on the ikea website - there is no where that lists what her counters are. I emailed ikea and they let me know all of the details and they were london grey. http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/SEKTION-kitchen/sektion_inspiration.html?page=2 My biggest recommendation to you is to buy a door at ikes (you can return it) and take out samples of quartz home in your kitchen. Helped a ton!

Cambria is definitely my wish list and NeoLith is my dream list. Unfortunately Cambria is about 34% higher in price and I didn't even try to price Neolith. LG is $200 more than MSI or Compac on a 35 sq ft, but I think the final sq ft is about 42-45. I chose LG because it is using Breton equipment to make quartz and has a manufacturing facility in Georgia (Made in USA). NoSoccerMom bought out a good point regarding seam width, lippage, and the uniformity of slabs which I am going to follow up with the fabricator. The fabricator is not the biggest or most advertised in town but it has been around since 1936. It is not the cheapest but my guts and research tell me to with the them. Thank you all for all comments. Will keep you posted.

Get a sample of your cabinet doors, and then bring it to visit the samples of counters in your favorite show room. Nobody can guess.

I'd go w a slate look vinyl tile. and the middle choice of the formica in row of five. A mini trac lite above sink and serpentine one in center of kitchen will assist w lighting . Then the slate look floor will ground the space/not be so dark and help the oak go for another lease on life as per your decision.... [ consider swap of some uppers for glass doors] . Not sure about beige sand cream floor tones...just get a slate look /classic/ hard to beat.