LL, is that a raised eating bar on your prep area bar? If you want granite, but are afraid to have it near the fry zone, you could put it just one the raised bar part, and formica on the rest of the bar.

Hi LL,

I am confused, I have been gone a few days only popping in
for a quick check in and have not read your past posts.
I knew you had changes but did not know you were thinking
a different counter material.

What about blue? Are you still thinking about blue?
And I thought you did not like granite. You liked formica,
corian, cesearstone, cambria... I could be totally lost.
Forgive me.

I like your floor plan, and I do get it. I wanted huge
changes in my space. Taking down wall so that I could have
an island rather than pennisula. Changing my range area
so that I could put in a large hood. ...
But NO, life got in the way. DH reminded me this is not
our forever home. We need to pay for college. We are not
here for the long haul. As soon as my youngest is gone to
college we are off to Europe to try an experience living
abroad. I know all too well the constraints. Dreams vs.
reality.

So, fill me in. What is going on as far as colors?
Ideas? And materials?

Thinking of you and loving your project. It will be
beautiful just wait and see.
~boxerpups

with your colors-are u going countryfrench or the like? perhaps a warmer white than your cabs-there are lots of biscuit and linen shades of corion, silestone, quartz, etc.
or if you have a med hardwood floor-maybe a little rustic, you could do a darker toned counter-fairly even pattern-to blend with the floor.could go any direction-looks like a pretty space.

Marti- That's a good idea...I have thought of mixing countertops a bit, but I'm not real fond of granite...although I have seen a few that look very much like marble!

Boxerpups- Living abroad? That sounds wonderful! :)

I still like the same colors, but now that the kitchen is smaller and only open to the dining area (not the seating area and woodstove) I may stick with more neutrals and add color with accessories. I still like butcher block and marble and formice (LOL...what a combo!) but I'm not sure yet, what I want to use in this space. Any ideas?

Herbflavor- I do like the warmer white for the cabinets, but I'll probably have white appliances...of course, that's not such a big deal, now that the peninsula is hiding them a bit.

The other thing is....I'm still not sure about the dishwasher. I really don't like it right next to the fridge. Now that I have the prep area on the other side of the stove, I might move it to the right of the sink...any thoughts?

Thank you all for the input! :)