I can't visualize what the dark bevelled edge laminate floor is... do you have a picture of it? or a link to manufacturer's website?

I almost went with Antique Brown Granite, but it was in a "suede" finish.. I personally thought it had an urban feel to it - sort of hip and modern in a way. I really liked it a lot, but in the end chose something more in keeping with the other elements I had chosen.

In terms of wall color and backsplash selection , I think we'd have to know a little bit more of what sort of vibe you are going for. What look do you want:

traditional
arts and crafts
modern
old world
whimsical
cottage
etc
etc

The flooring is as follows:
http://images.ifloor.com/products/562045/ifloor_trans-70-75x75-se-5x5/300x300q75.jpg

Heres an example of avery similar cabinet (mine are a little but more honey) with a lighter granite
http://www.merit-kitchens.com/gallery-pages/images/Kitchen3_75475.jpg

Cabinets are as follows (Im not doing crown for a cleaner look):
http://www.merit-kitchens.com/gallery-pages/images/mprairie.jpg

However, the color of the flooring can still be changed as it is not going in for 2 weeks. Pretty sure I want to stay on the darker spectrum. I am open to a dark brown if it would go with the granite better.

I am going for a contemporary look. Clean lines, square edges...yet a little bit hip. Some features are 3 pendant lights over the bar, and a built in 52 bottle wine fridge. I want it to be for me...yet easy to resell.

Cheers

I visualize a contemporary look using stainless pulls not oil rubbed. Is that a consideration? Same with the lighting.

The reason I wanted black lighting and pullouts is to tie the very dark counter tops and flooring up and throughout the room. I also feel that stainless lighting looks "cheaper" than oil rubbed?

I am open to any and all advice however!

Thanks again

Those 2 things are easy to change when the time comes to sell.

I happen to be a "stainless" person and have a contemporary house. ORB would not go with a contemporary look. JMO.

My cabinets are almost the same color as yours, a little darker though. We went with a darker green granite (Verde Butterfly), stainless pulls, stainless applicances (except stove top is black and sides of frig is black), black lighting and my floor is more of a neutral brown tile. My backsplash is light yellow with the same accents in it that we used in the floor. All that to say, I think my kitchen is beautiful. I stressed about every decision till I was tired of thinking about it. If you want oil rubbed lighting and stainless pulls, use it. Nobody is really going to notice. I even consulted a friend who is an interior deco and she said they same thing, if you like it do it!
My only question is how much light do you get. Will it be too dark with dark flooring and dark countertop. Are you installing under cabinet lighting? And I agree with another poster, I don't picture oil-rubbed as contemporary. But I understand about the stainless lighting, maybe black finished lighting?

Pictures:

I would check out the cabinet hardware of Doug Mockett. I think it is more contemporary and will give you a little bit of hip. The shaker cabinets in honey could go traditional very quickly depending on the hardware you choose. I would agree with others than the ORB is more traditional than contemporary.

Here is a URL for mockett:
http://www.mockett.com/furniture-hardware/drawer-pulls-knobs-door-handles

I love your flooring choice. I think it has a clean hip look to it.

If you chose this tile backsplash:
http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/tile_web/pdf/shell/V84-03.pdf -- I'd use a white marble countertop, something like Thassos - no veining, but has a subtle sparkle -- very gentle hint of bling. Would look great with the backsplash.

if you like something like this for your backsplash:
http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/tile_web/pdf/shell/V84-05(i).pdf --- I'd go with stainless steel countertops.

If you went with this:
http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/tile_web/pdf/stone/V43-46(i).pdf -- again, I'd go with the Thassos

If you went with this:
http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/tile_web/pdf/metal/V16-V123.09.pdf -- I'd go with a slate countertop such as this:

With your cabinet choice, you have to be very picky about the countertop and backsplash choice as you could easily end up with a kitchen that looks like it belongs to a middle aged woman, instead of a 20 year old guy. btw, what is a 20 year old guy doing with a 52 bottle wine fridge ;-)

mamadadapaige, his profile shows he is Canadian - different drinking age up there ;-)

I'm very impressed that someone 20 years old is remodeling...

Anyway, with your color choices, it actually sounds like you are going for more of a transitional or warm contemporary look rather than a pure contemporary/modern style. I'm partial to granites with lots of pattern, but I think the antique brown will look very nice with your other choices.

Oil rubbed bronze can look contemporary - it's just a little more subtle :). How about something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: handle

Wow Strud, I'm impressed, especially for someone your age it looks like you are doing a wonderful job on your reno. I would like to offer this regarding the "beveled" edge of your flooring.

We DIY'd our flooring installation a couple of years ago, I didn't know better to ask about the beveled flooring and that's what we installed (in oak) throughout all of the downstairs except the kitchen/dining area. In the kitchen and dining room we did Brazillian Walnut w/out the beveled edge so I do have something for comparison. I have to say that the beveled edge is harder to take care of because it catches dirt in the bevel and it's a pain to clean when there is a spill. I'd highly recommend you just rethinking that part, in the long run you may be happier without it. Lots of luck though and I hope you post pics when your reno is completed! -- Lukki

Just FYI, go buy a Swiffer and plan on using it regularly. Dark flooring shows EVERY dust mote! Lovely stuff, though!

Also watch your lighting, since using a darker countertop will soak up the watts.

Hard to advise on your backsplash and paint - is your kitchen open plan to other rooms? Closed off? Is your apartment large or small? The smaller it is, the more you'll want to keep walls within a tonal range, because abrupt color changes will make the apartment actually feel smaller.

Pick your countertop, then you can select paint and backsplash more easily. Tile is always a safe choice (and easily cleaned), you can add a lot of "bling" for a reasonable cost because there's such a wide variety available.

jkom51, I don't want to offend when I say this, but I don't necessarily agree that the dark floor shows a lot of dust. The Brazillian Walnut we have is 3/4 natural so it's dark all the way through the plank (not stained) and I have not experienced any more problems regarding dust/dirt than I do with the oak flooring we have. To be honest, I've noticed the dust on our oak flooring more. Granted I wasn't sure what to expect care wise when we bought it, we fell in love with it and were going to install it regardless, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I think it has to do more with lighting and the size of the room.

I have done alot of running around today and made a few decisions (along with purchasing a very nice proffessional 52 bottle stainless wine cooler with stainless shelving)

I have definately decided on the Golden Beach granite. After seeing the entire slab again today, I really love it.
[img]http://www.carolinaculturedmarble.com/images/Granite/New%20Granite%20Colors/Golden%20Beach%20Slab.JPG[/img]

I am also having a new cabinet guy take a look tommorow and give me a quote on an off white shaker...which I think would look more appropriate for someone my age (however, the honey is still my fall back)

Here is a photo of the pendant. It looks black but is actually a very dark oil rubbed bronze.
[img]http://www.farreys.com/i/lighting_kichler/sm/3330OAU.jpg[/img]

Skip the swiffer and get a nice microfibre mop - you can just detach the microfibre mop head and throw it in the wash and you won't have to worry about filling up the landfill or what the chemicals in might do to you down the road. Dark floors are not usually great dirt hiders but darker midtones are awesome if cleaning isn't a favourite activity (and it certainly isn't a favourite of mine).

Glazes on maple can look very opaque and are usually cheaper than painted finishes - also a little more forgiving in terms of movement around the panel and the mortise and tenon joints of Shaker doors. Are you going with custom cabinets? As one Canuck to another make sure the cabs are made in Canada.

I don't think I had enough cash for a pack of gum at 20 let alone $$$ for granite, more power to you.

caryscott,

I am in Real Estate, and worked my butt off over the last two years to pull this off.

I am not super concerned with dust..as I do not have kiddos or animals to make it dirty...and running a mop over it doesnt take too long.

BTW the apartment is South facing and is approx 1100sqft. Also, the main area is open plan with the living room, dining room and kitchen. Fairly bright for an apartment.

Cheers

strud,
The granite is GORGEOUS!! Congratulations! and keep up the good work. Keep us posted and if you need more help, just ask. It must be so nice to see the fruits of your labor coming together like this.

btw, just teasing about the wine.

UPDATE:

I just received a new quote on cabinets in a "cloud white" shaker. I am going to go with it.

I have the natural maple shaker style with Yellow River granite. I love the combo. My Yellow River should be close in color to your Golden Beach.