Another photo, I couldn't get 2 photos uploaded into one posting.

I wouldn't spend a dime putting stone on top of thermofoil cabinets. Leave what you have until you can address the other issues.

Are you specifically looking for a quartz that will work with your colors?

Cabinets are being replaced too I should have mentioned but will remain white. Yes, I'm wanting quartz to work with my colors, the floor being the first priority as the walls may/will change, floors wont.

What material do you want to use - granite, quartz, solid surface, recycled glass, laminate, etc.?

Quartz. is my first choice. Granite a possibility too. Solid surface my third choice but I'm open to suggestions.
Let me say that I cook like the Swiss Chef on the Muppets, very messy and I drop things often, even occasional avalanches. IOW, durability very important, and less maintenance the better.

light

medium

maybe too dark for you, but I like this best

I think the lightest & darkest have the least speckled look.

Thank you! It is a conundrum that I'm not aesthetically drawn to the lighter slabs but I sure enjoy a light workspace. The dark frequently is the most handsome. I will have to go to a Silestone showroom. What are your thoughts on Silestone vs Cambria. Cambria advertises made in USA and that is the only difference I have noted.

From my notes (please verify accuracy): Silestone is made in Spain, is the hardest (10 on Mohs scale), has the most colors & edge choices, has Microban protection, first company to offer quartz, and are the largest.

Love that Cambria is made in the US, assumed you had already looked at them. Ceasarstone & Zodiaq are others. I think they are all good, I'd pick the one that has the color/pattern you like best. Suggest taking some paint chips/samples with to the showroom. Good luck. Please post pics when you are done.

This post was edited by mdln on Sat, Jun 21, 14 at 13:21

Look at Caesarstone Shitake. It is a really nice grey/beige that looks grey up close but reads beige from farther away. We ended up with card counters, but we really liked the shitake a lot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Caesarstone Shitake

That Buckingham may be overwhelming for my kitchen certainly gives me pause. My kitchen is 12 x 12.5.
One "wall" is an open peninsula/counter to the dining room which has my grandmothers Duncan Phife style table and mahogany antique Hepplewhite shield back chairs. The last wall is opened arched to a sun room. The arrangement is L shaped with different mood/function that the kitchen serves transition for. While a creamy counter top may flow well into the sun room, I think, .. will the creamy counter top flow towards the dining room? The open bar area b/w kitchen and dining I use as a buffet area when I have dinner gatherings as the dining table only seats 8 max, too tight for serving pieces. The dining walls have one blonde gold wall, other walls are the same dark green olive accent color the kitchen has. There is also a center island in the kitchen which i plan to enlarge the surface of with the new counter top selection to seat more than 2 people. Your thoughts?