Post photos of all the choices. It sounds like way too much going on.

Id stick with one type of countertop and something without swoops and swirls. Quartz would be my choice. I agree that it sounds like you have a lot going on..

I prefer a live stone, so I vote granite, but would also like to see more photos.

Have you seen Sueb’s kitchen photos? If you like a painted cabinet, you might like to see what a nice light, bright color can do for a kitchen. She used a dark granite counter and it looks so nice together.

I would do a leathered dark (almost solid color, not speckly) granite, it becomes a little lighter this way and provides interest without being busy.

IMO real stone is always the best choice and I agree you have a lot going on so keep the same counters everywhere. Usually you eithe have a different island counter and all the same cabinets or all the same counter and a different color for island cabinets but not both . BTW wall color and backsplash are best left until all other elements are in the space . BTW a polished granite is pretty darn close to bullet proof I never choose leathered or honed for my clients.

To clarify a bit more, we have a vaulted/angled ceiling in our kitchen, which is galley style but opens into a great room with a fireplace at the other end. The west wall is nearly all windows, so we have a LOT of light in the space. We are fine with doing one type of countertop. All of the cabinets will be a maple with shaker style doors & cabinets will extend much higher than current cabinets. We have oak flooring we are refinishing but likely maintaining the natural oak color. My husband is not fan of the grey/cool tones that are popular however the smoke color we chose for the island cabinet seems to go well with the rest of the space and the blinds, which are a mushroom/light gray.

I would do all the cabinets in one color or finish and not break up the kitchen with one side maple and the island painted. With your oak floors, I would look at a soft pale color (not white) and go from there with a granite with as little movement as possible. Perhaps a learhered-finish dark. Then use a simple light tile backsplash that complements your painted cabinets.

You already have three colors (stained maple, charcoal maple, and medium gray tiles), so adding a fourth in the form of a counter top is a bit much. Can you get a quartz in the same color as the backsplash tile? Or use the medium gray quartz on both the c-top and the b/s?

More photos as requested: Typhoon Granite and/or Cambria Bellingham Quartz. I think the Typhoon doesn't work well with the smoke island color but my husband says we don't have enough color. He is opposed to a dark solid countertop. Ideas/comments/suggestions? I am open to changing the backsplash and to other countertop options. These are just two my husband really likes - and he is very into this process.

I admit to having very little design/color sense. I hired an ID for another project and my husband disliked the outcome and doesn't want to go that route again. I appreciate the help & advice. Oh - and a chimney style vent hood will be where the old microwave is now - it's an exterior wall, which works for venting outside.

The gray/green with light cabinets is the look I wanted but I've had trouble finding a gray/green granite or quartz with a simple pattern. I hadn't considered warm white countertops. Thank you.

It seems that your husband is the one who is driving all the decisions. I would suggest that he do a Houzz search for kitchens that he likes, with his preferences in the search bar. Then you can both look at them and try to agree on which direction your kitchen renovation will go.

It‘s all about the compromise! A few little tweaks with color and you could both have a bit of what you want. Have a look a Kasmire Cream granite or something similar for the perimeter and a dark leathered or other granite for the island. Black cabinet pulls/knobs would be nice.

You have such a wonderful opportunity when doing a remodel. Contrast is exciting but the more contrast, the busier and likely more crowded and smaller your kitchen will look. I'm with Calidesign on continuing the maple onto the island. If the only decision you can still make is the countertop, definitely use the same on both types of cabinets. In choosing colors, colors closer in value (level of light and dark) can add dimension without looking as busy. Note in the kitchen above that they've used a muted blue with the wood.. not a dark blue. But also note where your eye stops. It's at that black hood and range -- due to the contrast. And the same would be true on the dark countertop if there weren't so many reflections. As for the countertops, I opted for a very high-end natural quartzite because it's less porous than granite and I wish I had chosen a quartz product. Stone varies so much and can stain very easily in lighter colors, even those touted as being non-porous. Good luck with your renovation!

I agree that the black hood is a honker in my photo above. Since you have an electric range a smaller hood in more of a darkish zinc color would look nice with the dark (not black) island countertop.

Something like this where the duct is hidden inside the cabinet.

I would suggest you go to a granite showroom together and look at actual slabs. Take your cabinet and floor samples with you. It is hard to pick off a small stone sample and each slab is unique. See what speaks to you.

Denise, just want to say I applaud you for going against the white kitchen or white and navy kitchen trend with white quartz counters, carrara backsplash and the gray & brown wood look floor. Nothing wrong with that but as I’m house hunting , that look doesn’t look right in every home.

Good luck!

Something like this could work on the countertops with your green tile backsplash and maple cabinets.

Oceanfront Cottage · More Info

@calidesign Is that a cement countertop above? That kitchen is beautiful

That counter looks to be green soapstone.

This is one of my favorite kitchens ever. When I read your post I thought of it immediately. No paint, but light maple cabinets, oak floors, and a gorgeous green countertop and complimentary backsplash.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2702857/it-s-finished#n=77

I agree that the kitchen posted above has a soapstone counter top. It doesn't look oiled, hence the very light color. Love it!