I wouldn't choose a marble look for your kitchen. I would choose black counters and a stainless backsplash.

You one picture is not showing enough of the hardwood floors to make a suggestion about the kitchen floor.

A better picture of the transition. Really trying to go for the latest look that will last. This is a new to us house

I would try tear out the tile and continue the oak throughout the kitchen, do San Luiz Granite and then top it off with a very simple tile like a creamy subway tile with a mushroom colored grout. Let your granite tie everything together. (Oh and make peninsula all one height- no raised bar)

is the raised height on the peninsula out of style now??? We are working on a new construction house and I was debating whether to do that or not??

I wouldn't do it. It visually cuts off the space. Leave it all one height, get counter height stools and find a granite with movement to lead you into the space :)

If you are in Minnesota come see me :)

In SC, so a bit far! We are planning to get rid of the tile floor, we have not had good luck with hardwood in the kitchen and plan for plank tile or possibly cork flooring. Yes getting rid of the bar. We might repaint these cabinets in the future so we are hoping to make the granite and the backsplash be the exciting part of the kitchen. Also getting a new sink and appliances. We have Venetian Gold granite now and we are sick of it and the choppiness of it. I'm trying to push my husband toward a more black toned granite but he wants something more white. We both like Antique White leather granite. I will take a drawer with me to match it all up before we actually pull the trigger. But if someone had good ideas on the mushroom/taupe and giving the kitchen more pow with the color. Obviously we want to decorate for long term and to be able to resell eventually.

Im with Astonia on making the eating area one level. Where in SC are you? It would really look nice if you continued the wood floor into the kitchen....unfortunately it all ads up and you need to decide how much you want to spend, considering the fact that if you dont push a extra couple of dollars on making it all nice that you might not be 100% satisfied with only doing parts of it. Ocean series silestone pacifica ( little more expensive than some granites) could look really nice with the cabinets and the floor....good luck with your project, it should be a fun exciting experience.

I'm near Charlotte in Fort Mill.

Go to see Amanda and Guy with In town Design in Charlotte

I am a fan of raised counters, especially in open spaces because it blocks from view what ever mess may be on the counter. This was my kitchen space (until last month when we sold the house
).