I'd like opinions on whether this black cooktop will look odd on such a light countertop. Will I be better off getting a dark granite for this area just in terms of aesthetics? If anyone has experience with luce di luna and staining/not staining under hard use I'd also welcome info on that.

Thanks in advance.

I think the black cooktop on a light granite looks great. It's no different than having a black gas cooktop on a light granite or light marble. Here's ours, you can be the judge:

But if you want it to disappear of course, try to match the counter to the cooktop.

All of your kitchens are so beautiful and so different. Ice, your contemporary look is great. Although it's not the traditional one that I'm doing it all fits together and I'm trying to have faith that my vision of a traditional kitchen will look as pulled together as your contemporary one. Redroze, I can't believe your lanterns---they are almost exactly what I have picked for my kitchen---two and not three as everyone recommends. The two just seemed right in my space. lsandler, your kitchen is so cozy looking even though the space looks big and I like the way the cooktop looks on your granite.

All of the advice has been encouraging and now I'll just hold my breath until it's all put together. Pictures someday but I'm afraid all the subs will be on party time until January.

Thanks again.

Does that make sense? I know you've already made your decision, but I'm the type who loves validation!