I love the granite. For me it's no contest between the two.

Best wishes!

Thanks! I'm afraid that the granite is too traditional and the quartz too trendy. when I look at kitchen photos, I generally gravitate towards quartz, but in person, I think it's too matte and lacks depth.

The lighter one

Not really comparing apples to apples in appearance. This image below is Pebbles designed to look like concrete from Caesarstone. I don't see it in any of your images above.

Here is Pebbles in a kitchen.

I think these quartz samples from Caesarstone are better options. IMO the Atlantic Salt is a good choice.

This is Atlantic Salt in a kitchen

Here are the two samples with a backsplash tile held up.

I still vote for the Atlantic Salt for the consistent appearance and no maintenance.

Thanks, Beverly. Unfortunately, that's not an option due to lead time.

Personally I love the movement in the granite. I like that you are going with the white slab and floating shelves, gives your eye a break from bulky cabinetry. Since you are going for white (cabinetry) on white (backsplash) I would suggest the granite as a focal point. White on grey (pebbles) would be nice but also very neutral, nothing will stand out at first glance. Nothing better than seeing a nice clean white kitchen with a beautiful counter top. It's almost like artwork. You just stop for a moment and appreciate the detail. I think the granite would make a more luxurious impact! (and forget about traditional vs trendy, you are going very transitional so either works, just go with the one you lovvvve!)

Thanks for commenting! A few weeks ago, my husband and I walked into a slabyard, gave the lady our criteria, and both agreed quickly and easily on a slab. there was no label on it and she had shown us one that was triple our budget. We were both so sad! It was honed illusion quartzite.
So, after many slabyard visits, I've narrowed it down from two other granites, one with too much black streaking and another that was too sandy and down to this one. There's just enough in the slab to so the full kitchen, and it's the same price as quartz. I didn't fall in love with it, but it's growing on me. My friend has Pebble caesarstone and it's ok but very matte. I can always see streaks after cleaning or dirt/crumbs before, which bothers me. Also, every quick flip in my area has quartz and it's starting to seem overdone. We plan to be here for 7 to 10 years...not flippers. We are in our mid 30's and want something timeless but still hip. I don't think I have the grace for real marble, so I veered towards light granites.

Sounds like you are doing it right. If you can do it in 1 slab and its the same cost, no brainer. Especially if you have quartz in other areas go for the granite! By all means, I'm a fan of quartz. While it's very trendy right now it's also here to stay. It's definitely not a kitchen fade you will look back and regret but for the sake of design the granite will add so much more dimension. The right granite really is art in your kitchen. A beautiful slab will always remain hip and timeless. Make sure and post pics after install!

Well, I gained a couple of days to think because of a delay at the house and I've narrowed it down to Virginia Mist honed granite or the white thunder polished granite. Have to decide tomorrow. What do you guys think?

I still like the one in the upper left. I think it's White Thunder. It's also the very first photo in this thread. I think it's just beautiful.

Oh, I love Virginia Mist and I like honed better than polished, so that might be my vote but the white thunder is very pretty. I sure don't think you'll go wrong with either choice.

Here chatting with my husband over the architect's top picks today: 1) Carrara marble, 2) honed Virginia mist OR soapstone and 3) thunder white. It's so tough! #1 is the cheapest, then 3, then 2.

Ah, and the new peninsula in the kitchen pic will be white.

Not marble unless you're OK with staining and etching. If you're one that feels that just adds nice character, then marble is fine, but otherwise I'd avoid it in the kitchen. I like option 2.

Slate? Stone?

Here's what I'm thinking. We (husband, architect, and I) all love the marble and it's the cheapest choice. It actually comes in under budget. We like things that age and patina, so I think we will try it! Worst case scenario, when we move years and years from now, we can have it re-honed or replaced if we go to sell the house. Even then, it's cheaper than the other options. Fingers crossed we won't regret it!