I also posted over in kitchens — but I've posted mostly over here. Any thoughts/opinions will be appreciated.

Our home is 10 years old. We bought it new - but it was a spec, so we couldn't choose anything except for wall paint.

Our initial plan was to do a total re-do of the kitchen, but for the sake of the budget, we decided to go the "update" route.

Here is what we plan to do:

1: I hired professional cabinet painter who will paint all the cabinets, install soft close hinges, install drawer pull-outs in all cabinets and build new cabinets to take them all the way to ceiling. The kitchen is quite dark.

We chose white for the cabinets and navy blue for the island.

2: Granite backsplash on cooktop wall and glass backsplash on wet bar wall will be removed and subway tile installed. Contrasting grout in some shade of gray

3. Update appliances:

New double oven with warming drawer beneath (minor modifications to this cabinet and electric work necessary) - Thermador 30"

New cooktop - Thermador - 30" gas

New stainless hood - Proline PLJW 108

New dishwasher - free with purchase of 2 thermador appliances

New Microwave installed in wet bar area - hung in place of where the wine glasses hang

4. Update Island Lighting — something in steel - Like the restoration hardware styles.

remove pendant lighting over the bar top - replace with recessed lights

5. All new hardware

Here are some questions that have:

My granite is Volga Blue. I like it, but prefer a honed look. I don't really want to take on the expense of new granite. My tile guy can buff it to give it a honed look. What do you think? I have not been able to find any samples of a honed Volga Blue.

I would like to replace the granite on the island with a white quartz. I will also add a 12 inch overhang so we can place two stools under for extra seating. Here is my inspiration photo as for color choices:

If I do not treat the black granite and leave it polished, will a shiny white quartz look ok on the island? Can you get a honed white quartz? Most kitchens I see with black on the perimeter and a white island have a black honed granite - typically Absolute Black (I think that's what this photo is)

My biggest decisions right now are lighting, hardware and the granite dilemma.

The lighting & hardware can wait a bit - but the granite is more pressing.

My overall style has become more transitional (used to be more traditional). Clean lines and bright. I like a beachy feel too.

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts!