tipetty:

I make no claims to being a great designer, but I'd be afraid mixing marble and estone is going to look like you just missed each. Use estone on the splash and match exactly, or something that contrasts.

Mixing real marble and marble look quartz is not a good idea. It just makes the quartz look like fake marble.

Here's a few looks that are similar. I think they look really pretty. Variations of the theme:

[

[Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Enviable Designs Inc.

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Toronto Photographers Leslie Goodwin Photography

[

[Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Sydney Kitchen Designers & Remodelers Art of Kitchens Pty Ltd

[

[Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Enviable Designs Inc.

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Auckland Kitchen & Bath Designers Suzanne Allen

[

[Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Quattro Interiors Studio

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Croma Design Inc

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Croma Design Inc

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Hinsdale Design-Build Firms Normandy Remodeling

[

[Beach Style Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-style-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2110) by Kirkland Interior Designers & Decorators Kristi Spouse Interiors

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Hinsdale Design-Build Firms Normandy Remodeling

I have been looking for alternatives. I am about to hire someone to sit across from me with a water pistol and squirt me in the eye until I just decide and live with the consequences!

There are a few details already chosen in the kitchen that factor in to making the decisions that much harder. Like...

1. There is already a side counter (where all my small appliances will reside) picked out in butcher block black walnut.

2. The island is going to be this color (link at the bottom).

3. The husband dislikes standard 3x6 subway and would much prefer a mosaic.

4. Cabinets are white and I want to keep a light/bright feel to the kitchen without making it stark.

I found a possible quartz, but have yet to see it in person called Alpine Mist by Ceasarstone. I am so overwhelmed...

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen island color

If you don't want to deal with marble countertops with toddlers/preschoolers, I'd also caution against some of the solid white countertops pictured above. Our new (to us) house has solid white corian and it's the worst. Every single little thing shows. Granted, stains eventually come up, but it looks dirty anytime anything touches it. I can't stand it.

Love the island color & I adore that backsplash.

OUKatie, I would never do all white. It is too stark and like you said, it wuld show everything. I do however like gray and white countertops and I love light "marbling" as opposed to speckling or really dark veining. I am not looking to find the best "fake" marble, but something that makes my heart sing everyday.

romy718, I love that kitchen too, hence why I am painting my island the same! I would LOVE to find a light greige or grey tile just like that back splash with a bit of variegation at a reasonable price. That would solve ALL my problems! Does anyone know where I can find this?

We were looking at Marble - but got worried about upkeep with kids etc... So found this granite - which we love. It's been in a year and is holding up great. We had it honed so it's even more forgiving.

Our Torquay veining is actually lighter than I'd like:

In our case, we needed the contrast of a dark backsplash.

Love the pictures posted. Good luck, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes!

Whitish granite option. I was worried about staining, but the sealer seems to do a fine job.

The backsplash in your inspiration pic looks like a light shade of green, that also blends with the island color. Light grey would be pretty but also look at some greens. I have light grey but saw a display kitchen in person with a similar colored light green backsplash-gorgeous. It was with white cabinets & Torquay.
Edit:typo

This post was edited by romy718 on Sat, Aug 30, 14 at 17:15

We have white Corian counters, and do not feel it dirties particularly easily at all. We have been happy with it, but now after 20 years it has developed some fine cracks that are not reparable.

gr8day, I just love that first kitchen you posted! I wonder what the counter is?

Sorry lindy1991 that your Corian counters are now developing fine cracks but they did last 20 years which is good. Thanks for sharing.

GTAOntario,

Is that Super White "Granite"?

We found that as well and fell for it, but after researching it found out that it is not actually granite, but Marble with dolomite in it. I actually fount a very good source on Gardenweb with the info. It was a geologist who explained the different minerals that make up the countertop and why it is misrepresented in the countertop industry. Anyhow, it ends up that it is only .5 increase on the hardness scale from Marble and just a porous with stains and etching, so we decided it was a bad idea. I was completely dashed!

i have wicked white on my island. honed AB on the perimieter. they say wicked white actually is a quartzite. but you know how "they" can be......