Thanks again for the additional comments and suggestions! We already have the oven - it's a GE single/double model that my DH fell in love with and grabbed on major floor model sale. To be honest, it would not have been my first choice aesthetically, but he's the primary cook M-F and this was a big thing for him. So whatever we do, that oven has to work. mtnrdredux, I'm surprised at how much I like the turquoise - definitely going to get samples in that range and try them out! sophie123, your kitchen sounds beautiful! Dunsmore cream is a lovely shade, I can see that going well with the marine blue. Thanks for the heads-up about the paint. It's funny, I noticed that the marine blue was a little different to work with just when I was painting cardboard samples. I guess I'd call it a little streakier. I'll almost certainly be painting the cabinets myself, and although I have a great deal of experience refinishing and painting furniture, I don't want to make things more difficult for myself than they need to be.

YES! You can mix counter top materials in the came kitchen. I don't have anything against mixing counter top materials in any kitchen. Countertop selection should be a mixture if servicability. asthetics in design/color, and quality. Mixing high grade butcher block and plastic laminates is never satisfactory, but your suggestions of Ceasarstone, Silestone Quarts, Corian, Granite or Marble mix very well with Butcher Block. Servicability comes in second. Butcher Block is a good choice surrounding the cooktop as it will handle a hot pan inadvertinly set down where Corian will damage easily. Corian is a thermal plastic material and will melt and scorch from the intense heat. All of these materials are ideal for use around wet sink and prep areas as they do not absorb water causing discoloration, rotting and the dreaded mold of numerous varieties you don't want to tangle with. Wood tops, (butcher block), can be sealed successfully against moisture intrusion, but must be maintained judiciously. Around the cooktop however thorough cleaning and reoiling the surface with a food grade oil will keep it beautiful for years. Bartop finishes can be a pain to maintain as they can be scratched easier than you think, and repairing chips and gouges in the surface can be disappointing. I hope I haven't put anybody to sleep with this, but like most comments here to your original question this only my opinion. The backsplash should be kept consistant on both sides of the kitchen. That said, having a tile mural centered over the cooktop works very well. Make sure any grout between the tiles is sealed with future sealing maintainance each year or after any severe cleaning. Consider having a window with a country or ocean scene painted and sealed against grease & dirt over the cooktop for added flavor.

I just saw this quartzite the other day at the stone yard. Looks like this is the same one. If you get this for the island, then do the perimeter as well. I think if you try and do something different, but still white, it's going to look off. (unless you do a plain white quartz) . Do a quartz that looks like marble, is not going to work, IMO. They are just two different looks. Do them all the same, or do a dark, solid contrast. Now, if you wanted to do a soapstone, I'd say fine. that would actually look nice. look at this pic to get an idea (different island, but same premise). it's not going to make things look dark if you went w/a soapstone or even a honed Jet Mist granite. Cielo is a quartzite that you may want to consider as well. this one is leathered.

commenting b/c I just found this thread and I really want to know too! Would love to see pics of the hickory cabinets as well, if they're done. Hickory is one of my husband's choices for the kitchen.