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Deborah Butler, Brickwood Builders Lot of wood tone in this room that is similar. I would go with a darker granite countertop but not one with a lot of movement given the slate looking tile. Look around in your area and see what is available - we have used Black Spice with slate backsplash and it looked nice.

Stoneshop I agree with Deborah--way too much wood. Forget the butcher block and go with a granite or quartz. If you'd prefer granite, try Absolute Black, Black Pearl, Verde Labrador, or Verde Butterfly. If you like quartz, a uniform gray would look very nice.

KBDesign I agree with Deborah, too much wood tones with the floor cabinets and counters. Your contemporary cabinets lend themselves better to material will less movement in them. I would recommend Quartz countertops for their ease of maintenance and durability. Eco, by Cosentino, which is a sustainable product made with recycled materials, has some wonderful colors that will pull the earth tones from the slate backsplash. No need to seal this material and it comes with a 10 year warranty.
Take a look at Riverbed and Terra. Both also have a bit of the wood tones in them as well. http://www.ecobycosentino.com/usa/colors.html

windingcreek_creations Agree with Deborah and KBDesigns. Dark counters, with very little pattern and I like the recycled materials idea! Lovely kitchen btw.

AMN medium to darker gray quartz

TRS Designs, Inc (Kitchens, Baths, & More) Silver Asterix granite would look sooo amazing in this kitchen.

mrswolf A shade or two under the backsplash color. We have medium maple cabinets with black countertops and it shows every little crumb or dust. A medium color will be more forgiving.

babyblue1588 id def go with a solid stone surface.. maybe light/medium color whitish/grey.. i think the contrast of completely white quartz would look fantastic as well

Immersion Design The wood grain is pretty busy on the cabinets, so if you go for a granite that has that as well, it could be overwhelming on the eyes. A more simple piece, such as quartz engineered, would set it off and clean up the look to be brighter. I'd go lighter like a white with sparkles to really stand out against the gray backsplash. You will have a stunner kitchen!

Kreative Kitchens & Baths I agree with everyone's input above. A uniform quartz is always a wonderful clean, durable look.

Immersion Design Please post pictures after you're done! Can't wait to see :)

ddmellow wow! thanks so much for the input!! will repost once done!

ddmellow one more pic..

Stoneshop Such a beautiful space! New countertops & you're good to go :) Can't wait to see photos once you're finished!

reginacpa I chose quartz over granite because it was absolutely no maintenance. That was 10 years ago and I still love it.

KBDesign Like the slate on the island. Definately Eco Riverbed!

Immersion Design I'm also in love with my quartz countertops...never have to reseal them. So easy and beautiful!!

Immersion Design I'm also in love with my quartz countertops...never have to reseal them. So easy and beautiful!!

Immersion Design It's hard to see but it has a beautiful silvery speckling throughout that is drawn out by the backsplash tile.

loved0414 I would suggest a concrete counter top in a gray finish. Easy to maintain over the years and can be molded to do whatever you want.... It will give it a very modern look

Immersion Design I love concrete counters; however, you need to have the proper structuring for them to support the weight, as well as worry about settling which can lead them to crack over time. Originally I wanted to put them in my house but the above reasons ended up ruling it out...

Da Vinci Concepts Has anyone considered LAVA ROCK counters?

Ceramic coated, durable, wear resistant, scratch and scuff resistant.
Available in almost any color from natural grey to high gloss pigments.

Something different and new.

Jonathan Bobrow
Founder and CEO

lizmccarty I really like the butcher block counter tops!! I'd re-finish them and update the cabinets, just my opinion everyone else idea for a nice dark countertop would look fantastic too!

basque64 If you really love to cook I would keep the island countertops as they are and put in grey granite or a natural stone (well sealed) on the rest.

Leaf Design Studio I think a stone would be fantastic or even a stained and stamped concrete is beautiful as well. Check out the following pictures for stained/stamped concrete! Also check out the following site(s) for stone counters!!

http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Countertops/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmf2/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&Nu=P_PARENT_ID&langId=-1&storeId=10051

jjwhittle Have you thought about painting the cabinets, keeping the butcher block island (stain it darker) and replace the countertops to coordinate with backsplash? I don't see that the cabinets are a high grade of wood? The result will be that the floors will show up (which are gorgeous) you'll have two different countertops which is always beautiful, and you would have a truly custom kitchen.

feeny I'd keep the cabinets and everything else exactly as they are, but replace the butcherblock counter on the island with either charcoal gray quartz or possibly soapstone. Either would look great with your gray backsplash.

Beneke Interiors I could see a black granite working well with all the wood finishing.

Gabberts Design Studio A black granite or quartz would be the best tone for the color of the woodwork, and to break it up a bit. There is a lot of wood with the butcher block. Gorgeous kitchen!

Immersion Design Although there is all that dark charcoal gray tile...could be a bit dark. I'd recommend not painting cabinets... more often than not a "simple" refinishing job can go very wrong.

Immersion Design But in this case, if you do, at least the doors and drawer fronts are all perfectly flat, so that is MUCH easier!

Reico Kitchen & Bath Yes, go medium to darker, quartz over granite!