I have a relatively small kitchen with about only 20 square feet of countertop area (that's minus the sink cutout). I got this house new about 9 years ago, and have lived with the ugly rust/orange colored formica the builder put in all this time. I plan on painting the pickled (yuck!) cabinets a creamy white and adding new hardware, and I am changing out the old appliances for new (black fridge and DW, black/stainless range and hood). I would also like to add a nice tile backsplash, and the walls will probably be a gray/blue/green (currently BM Azores, may change if necessary).

I really want to spiff up this little kitchen, and due to the really small size of the countertop area, I'm considering even granite or solid-surface as an option. I live in the New Orleans area and it seems there's a glut of granite and other materials here from all the Katrina renos that have been wrapping up the last couple of years, so I've heard there are really good prices to be had. I even thought with such a small size, I might luck out and find a nice scrap piece?

Could anybody give me a ballpark figure for countertops in a granite or silestone-type material? I don't really need the top of the line, I am really thinking a non-busy patterned stone in a goldy/cream or maybe a whitish/marble-look stone.

I have no idea how to even start looking so tips for a newbie would be appreciated. Budget is very tight, this reno will be done one piece at a time, slowly, as funds are available. I'm in no rush! I would be quite happy to get the counters changed and paint the cabs on my own and then tackle the backsplash later down the line.

Also, any color suggestions? With a black and white and blue-green scheme, I was thinking a goldish cream (which would tie in with the attached living room painted SW Ramie). I really like the vintage kitchens with an updated look.