SFGate

INSIDEOUT Modern and Traditional Perhaps the different wood hues are enough variety and the granite could be consistent?

Claire RB Thanks, Insideout, but actually all the cabinets in the kitchen are the same amber stain. Or did you mean because cherry in and of itself has a lot of variation?

INSIDEOUT Modern and Traditional Hi, I was thinking of the cherry with amber stain being different than the natural oak floors. Albeit within the same yellow/gold family I would guess.

Claire RB Oh, I see your point now. The cabinets are darker and more reddish than the floor. Do you think using two granites would look too busy or somehow not make sense? I love how each of the granites looks with the cherry, and because they are both neutral, I thought the combo might work and look interesting -- but maybe it would look as if I just couldn't make up my mind! I've seen a kitchen that used both of these granites, but the cabinetry on the island was also different from that of the perimeter. Mine cabinetry, of course, is all the same. Thanks for your opinion!

INSIDEOUT Modern and Traditional One more thought, if you decide upon using the same granite then you may want to ask yourself if you need the lights on often or if the sun shines brightly into the space. White or black would be better, respectively. Note also that if you get alot of sun, honing the granite would cut down on the blinding reflectiveness. I look forward to reading other designer's comments, Bon Appetit!

Kathryn Peltier Design I think you can use the two together, although normally I do this with a different finish on the island. I like Insideout's idea of using honed granite, perhaps on the island, That way, it's not only a different colorway but a different finish. How big is your kitchen? If it's a large kitchen, I think it can take the change in finish. If it's small, I don't know that I would introduce another countertop finish.
As Insideout also noted, pay attention to the amount of light you get in the room, If it's dark anyway, you might want to think twice about introducing the Absolute Black, which will kind of suck the light.

Claire RB Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions. The kitchen is roughly 14.5 x 19, but not a complete rectangle: the south wall runs 13 feet, then bumps in 3.5 feet (there's a closet in the adjoining hall) and then continues for 6. That creates the nook for our breakfast table. I hope that makes sense! We have a double casement on the west wall over the sink, and three windows on the north wall, so the room is neither dark nor super sunny. We have ceiling can lights, two 3-light pendants for over the island, a 6-light fixture over the table and under cabinet lighting. The paint is Ben. Moore Edgemont Gray.

I'd say I feel very committed to my particular slab of kashmir white, which is very pretty, so if I were to choose just one granite, I would use that all over. However, I do like the idea of contrast on the island, to add interest. Do you think it would work given the details I've laid out? Also, I was thinking I'd do polished all around; do you think honed on the island would look better? I haven't chosen the stain for the floor yet.; the man is coming today to create a few samples for me. We are refinishing the orignal floor, which is variable width oak. I was thinking of using a natural, which also would blend with the adjoining dining room. What do you think?

Kathryn Peltier Design First of all, I think you should try to blend your kitchen floor with the dining room floor, since it is the same material, so that decision is done :-) I - personally - like the idea of the honed black on the island, but if what attracts you to it is the polished look, then I think you can go with it. You already have the wrought iron fixtures, so you have black as a finish in the room already. The st.st. appliances and the nickel pulls work nicely with that, too (i.e. if you'd said your metals were oiled bronze, I don't think adding the black granite would work as well). Do you have samples of the granites? See if you can get several of each color so that you can lay them out and live with them for a few days. I think it will work, so try the colors out, and if you like them, do what makes you happy!

Claire RB That's exactly what I'll do. I just requested the counter guy to bring me a few different types of black granite samples, some honed, some polished, and I'll see how I like them with my kashmir white sample. And I have always loved honed granite and soapstone, so I'm excited that that might work. I really appreciate your help.

Kathryn Peltier Design You are welcome! I hope you'll post photos when you're done, or at least let us know how it turned out. Post again if you think we can be of any help :-)

Claire RB Thanks! I sure will.