OK guys... picture this. My neighbor is a KD and he actually suggested that we go with the slate backsplash. I picked up a sample of it. It doesn't look as busy as you'd think: I almost feel like it helps create some depth in the kitchen by creating a backdrop for the island... if that makes any sense?! I feel like a monochrome backsplash would cause the island to stick out completely, with no anchor whatsoever? Anyway, he also suggested that we run one strong metal liner through the slate... Something like this: I am really liking the idea of the strong silver accent cutting through the muted colors of the slate. I think it's kind of different! Only problem is... can you believe each one of those silver liners costs freaking $19. Yes, that is apiece. :-p The company is called Metal Border Italia

I like the layout and I think mixing cabinets and/or countertops is a great idea! Of course, I plan to do that, myself :) If you like dark granite and wood, those would look great together. A lighter countertop would also work very well...and if you do that, think about making those cabinets wood, for more contrast. Look at some more pictures and see what else you like.

Black kitchens may look good in pictures, I am not that impressed with them IRL. The kitchens often look dark or drab when you see them, IMHO. Black kitchens seem to work best when the architecture is modern and there is LOTS of light and the walls are light. In order to have black in the kitchen, you need to offset it lots of bright white, ie the popularity of black and white kitchens.... One more thing: stained dark wood cabinets have a completely different feel to natural walnut cabinets. The colors are similar but the visible impact that the walnut grains have in your kitchen is completely different from stained look. Natural walnut cabinets may cost you 2 to 3x stained maple when all else is equal. Walnut is expensive and they look it. Having said that I do not like dark cozy looking houses. Some people really thrive in those. IMHO, if you want a darker cozy feeling house, you do not want black. you want dark stained wood kitchens. They are not the same. You also want alot of beefy dark stained wood trim, windows, and doors to go with that. These are very expensive houses to build since stain grade trim detail is considerably more expensive than painted MDF trim. No matter what you do, you do need to see them IRL to see what works and what does not. Go to lots of realtor open houses in your area. Pay attention to what you like you what you don't. Pay attention to how light impacts the design choices. Light is something you have ABSOLUTELY no control over in your own house unless you are willing to spend ALOT of money; ie extra windows, cut down large trees, take out the neighbors second story etc.

I would go with #2 but I think you can look around more. I don’t understand why 5 is getting chosen as the white will class with your cabinets. i think people are reacting to the fact that it isn’t busy. do as Diana says.Bring a sample of your door plus a sample of the wood from your island if you can. Go with an open mind. Renovating as a couple is hard. Your DH does derive I put. The fact that you have two tones in your kitchen dies my mean there is a lot going on. You can handle a granite with movement. Notice I said movement. It doesn’t have to be loud and super busy. That can be a good compromise between the two of you. I think you have done very well with your choices and no need to excuse the fact that you didn’t hire a designer. Many of us here have never hired a designer to help with a kitchen renovation. When you visit the yard go with an open mind but explain that you were looking for granite in the brown and cream families. You might find something unexpected that you both love.