Forgot to post the pic of the fireplace marble.

Is the marble fireplace really close enough that marble look countertops would be compared that closely? And judged to be not a match? You could test this out by taping some marble samples to the edge and top of the countertop you had (could even buy some large tiles to test) and seeing if it worked. Pick some really not matching marble to see if it is even an issue.

If you want gray but not as dark as Piatra, what about Ceasarstone Oyster? It would be less contrast, while still providing some and might tie in with the gray in the marble fireplace. Or in Silestone Kensho, or the marble look-likes Lyra or Lagoon.

You may want to check out Caesarstone Raven. I have it currently but may lose it when my cabs come out. Sort if reminds me of a gray slate.Still gives you that contrast with the white cabs but a"softer" look than black. Piatra may work. I just ordered a sample and waiting for it to arrive.

Thanks @ JessHS and @BlackChamois. I like both your suggestions. Time to get more samples! At this point I could piece together my samples and make a lovely custom counter! Haha.

I will have to tape them all up and then re post. I've decided its probably less about the color and more about that peninsula. I think maybe that is what is driving me crazy. Not sure why-- back to the drawing board!

Really pretty FP surround. Just a thought, with all that lightness, you might want to go with one of the deeper greys just to anchor the space a bit. I think the piatra grey could be really beautiful on your peninsula, and compliment the FP surround nicely, if the greys are compatible.

I would paint the peninsula back to match the LR wall, and add molding as an extension of the wainscoting. The large white box is intrusive.

Caesarstone's Pebble and Atlantic Salt are nice greys with slight patterning. "Concrete" is darker grey but not darker then the fireplace veining.

And I'd add that Concrete and Raven are about the same color. What is nice about Raven is that, like Pebble it has some pattern ... I'd refer to it as a mottled or dappled effect - which to me softens it a bit.

Yes @ mlweaving_Marji I have gone back and forth on that. Thinking it might be too white (no anchor) if I go white but worrying it might be too dark if I go dark... I agree that Piatra is still a contender.

Now I will check out some of these others. Just got done oohing and ahhing the Raven in Ina Garten's kitchen. I like it and have to wait for a sample. Of course now I like some of these other suggestions too- more samples!

I agree @lazygardens. I do think the big white box is what is bothering me and I'm imagining the expanse on top-- worrying about the pronounced color on top. But perhaps its the box itself that is the problem. Had thought I'd add molding, maybe even beadboard, but more likely just some simple molding when I get the cabinets re-painted. Matching wall color is an option i had not considered. Thank you!

Thank you all for these great suggestions!

@ BlackChamois, how shiny is the Raven? I know quartz is a bit more matte than polished granite-- which I like. But I know quartz still has a shine. Wonder how the honed version of quartz holds up?

It has a shine to it but maybe not as much as a granite would. I don't have the honed and I haven't seen it in person so I couldn't say in terms of the quartz. However I think that there is an additional document that you must sign for the warranty if you go with honed.

One of the problems with the white peninsula feeling so intrusive into the living space is that there isn't enough white elements in the living space. The two rooms are disconnected from each other, like they are in different houses. You need to link them. Your living room needs a dose of white in it, maybe in an upholstered piece, and paint above the chair rail white. And your kitchen needs a dose of dark color like your TV cabinet and the table to the other side of the fireplace. Maybe a dark wood counter for the peninsula and some warmer tones from the LR for the backsplash?

Thanks @blackchamois.

You're right @ GreenDesigns. The only white in the living room is in the chair rail and mantle. The only wood in the kitchen is in the kitchen table - which was not pictured before. It's got a nice rustic top with antique black legs. I attached two more views below.

So basically I need to redo everything - not just the kitchen. Have known that this is my problem all along. I want a counter that will marry the two rooms - but perhaps I need to change the two rooms to make that possible.

from the kitchen looking into great room-- ignore my family sitting there :-)

I like the look of these two rooms together. See link. I see that they have pulled white on table legs and lamps into the great room. And wood into the kitchen via the barn door. What is the countertop?

Here is a link that might be useful: [sophisticated farmhouse two rooms[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/sophisticated-farmhouse-traditional-living-room-raleigh-phvw-vp~4470097)

No, you don't need to change "everything"! LOL! Just painting white above the chair rail in your family room and reupholstering the plaid chair in a white would bring the white into the family room. Using a warm wood, or at least a warm brown counter in the kitchen will bring in some of the warmth in the family room into the kitchen. And, because there really is very little wall space in a kitchen, you might also paint it a darker warmer color. I do mean dark. Like dark chocolate. The room needs the contrast and it will make the white cabinets even whiter.

Honed Antique Brown granite. Much warmer than a grey.

Sherwin Williams Leather Bound. See how it makes the white stand out and be THE feature of the room?

Thanks GreenDesigns! Love Gardenweb - so many great ideas. I was trying to bring the marble/gray from the fireplace and antique black tables into the kitchen. Had not even considered warm/dark brown but it makes sense considering the rest of the colors/wood pieces.
Will play around with all these ideas this week!!!!

I can't offer any countertop or design advise but just want to say that you have a lovely home. You are fortunate to have a kitchen & family room that are open to each other but still have a defined separation between the two rooms. I really like the glass windows in that doorway and your fireplace is beautiful.

What about painting the back of the peninsula the same tan color on your family room walls? I would also add the same substantial baseboards on the peninsula that you have on the rest of the kitchen and family room. You could also add molding to make those boxes (not sure what they are called) on the sides of the peninsula, leave the molding white, that might help tie it in and be in the same traditional style as the chair rail.

Here is a link that might be useful: