I think you need to respect the cream color of the cabinets with your counter choice. These choices just aren't working. What about a quartz rather than a quartzite, so you can get a warm toned rather than a cool toned option?

Lisa's Taj Mahal pic would be perfect. Make absolutely sure you pick your slab as they can vary so much.

They read a little more yellow, then the link you posted, visualizemaven. I wish it was more similar to the photo. I can get the cabinets painted, would be a 500$ upgrade, I was just trying to make it work with the standard.

The cabinets will be shaker style too, unlike the pic shown.

I do like the Taj Mahal as well, from my understanding it was pricier then the super white at the store I'm selecting from. I also need to find out what quartz options they have. The only one I was shown was Carerra Quartz and that has a ton of white in it. This is all great input though, thank you everyone. I know what I like, I'm just not that great at putting it all together :(

Super white quartzite is really a lot of grey. The cream could maybe make them look dingy. The white could brighten them up, give them a cleaner look.

Chelsea, there are lots of Houzz dilemmas where people are trying to figure out how to tie together warm cabinet colors with cool counter or floor tile colors (or vice versa) and it's always a big challenge. Often, they regret installing the competing elements and hope to figure out a way to make a backsplash link them together, where the challenge grows even bigger. You're lucky in that you are sensing the issue (and it is an issue and a problem) before the damage is done. I think your instincts are telling you to figure this out before a lot of money is spent on a situation you'll regret. Good for you for recognizing and considering this before it's too late:)

The cabinet painting upgrade price might be a very small price to pay if you love the white based counters!

This is a great discussion. When trying to decide on a good color story a paint store is a great place to look at color groupings they have come up with. I'm not talking about the paint fan that has 6 shades of one color from light to dark. I'm talking about "color stories" that designers have put together that work well. I actually think your first grouping of the gray/taupe counter, greige paint tone and creme can work well together. Especially with a tile backsplash to pull it together. I found some great neutral color stories in Benjamin Moores website that has similar tones that you want to use. As a side note I suggest staying away from marble for a counter as someone else advised. It will get stained from various foods and drink. Especially anything acidic like wine, coffee, mustard and ketchup. It's beautiful but best used on a vertical application than for a counter.
As you can see from these images, you can blend cremes, grays and Browns together if they have similar tones and tints.

Hi ctay - I think at this point, if you keep sending us pics of your options, we will be able to help you bridge the gap between what you like individually and what works excellently together!

Ann has given you some great advice/opinion. I think she bottom lined it for you. Good luck

Ann, thank you, definitely lots to think about. I'm trying to avoid white cabinets, saving 500$ would be nice but really I just don't love them.

I'm trying to get the marble look, and the warmth of cream and grays. Yesterday I went and looked and a couple of the marbles I saw were actually cheaper then the super white. Of everything I've looked at super white is crazy high. All that to say, yes marble is going to be very risky but I think it gives the look I love. They only had one marble like Quartz, it was very white and grey, cabinets would have to be changed. I'm open to it, just trying to see if I can make my dream of a cream/gray kitchen work first.

Another option was fantasy brown quartzite, super affordable too for our budget. It would definitely work in the kitchen, but I'd think it be a bit too busy for me, and not sure about it going up the backsplash. I'm leaning towards using it in bathrooms because I do love it.

I've attached an inspiration photo (which started this whole crazy train of wanting cream and marble veining counter tops/backsplash) and the two marbles I'm considering in addition to super white.

Thanks again everyone.

Boy, I wouldn't use marble in my kitchen because it would be stained and etched in minutes with the heavy use my kitchen gets.

Fantasy Brown would be super pretty with your cabinets. If you got that and used a simple taupe glass tile backsplash instead of the matching quartzite backsplash, it would be stunning!

A backsplash like this one with this fantasy brown counter. I'd forego the decorative part behind the cooktop but, otherwise, it's beautiful.

Wow, the match in your inspiration photo is one I could not stand to be around. But if you love it, then your own choices should be fine.

Just looking at the counter sample, I feel there should be an off-white out there that works. The one in your photo looks too pink, and the one in the inspiration photo seems too yellow, but if you get the paint samples and the stone sample into the same light (and test them at various angles, etc.) and they seem ok tonally together, then go for it!

Oh, here's a better example. Fantasy Brown counter with linen glass backsplash. I think it's a gorgeous counter/backsplash combo!

I have to agree with acm about your inspiration kitchen. I think it's a clashing combo.

I went with the paint color "It's a cream" and quartz counters with some grey veining. My cherry wood floors warm up the space and the glass tiles give a nice break to all the white. I definitely wouldn't do a white back splash. Just about any color you like would work.

I think the marble called Olympus has white, grey and tan in it. I've been looking myself lately. [https://www.houzz.com/products/olympus-white-standard-marble-prvw-vr~8546503[(https://www.houzz.com/products/olympus-white-standard-marble-prvw-vr~8546503) Shadow Storm Quartzite has some beige in it as well, depending on slab, of course. https://www.houzz.com/photos/the-grove-parade-homes-nashville-phvw-vp~19136602

Pretty kitchen, Susan!

Thank you Ann! It's tiny but we love it. We did it about a year and a half ago.

Well, it's looking like we are going to paint the cabinets. Took a cream cabinet sample out to the granite supplier today and it didn't really work with any of my favorites stone/granite. My next dilemma is finding a color to paint the cabinets, if I can ever choose a counter top. I love the super white, but we are looking at a couple marble options which I was surprised to find is cheaper then the super white quartzite. All the stories on marble in a kitchen are so conflicting, but my heart pitter patters at the marble.

Thank you again everyone from all the input, and steering me away from the cream cabinets ;)

I'm not surprised that you're finding marble cheaper than super white. Quartzite is such a wonderful counter due to its durability but it is pricey. Will marble work for you? Do you rarely use your kitchen or are you comfortable with stains and etching? I know some feel that gives marble character, but I'm not sure I'd be OK with it.

I do use my kitchen, but I'm definitely not cooking every day. I have young kiddos, and don't want to be on them for every little thing if we do go with marble. I understand from researching them, that I have to accept etching and potential stains, but I'm not so sure I know what I'd be getting myself into, as I've never had marble surfaces.

Here's photos of the three counter choices I've come down to. The colors are the wall and cabinet color, and the pendant and sink are just ideas for now, nothing is set in stone yet, pun intended.

1. super white quartzite
2. Calacatta marble
3. Carrera marble

I'd go with super white because I'd never use marble in a kitchen. I think your paint colors look fantastic and I'd go with a stainless, white, or silgranit sink - possibly in the cinder color.

Thank you Ann. We have been leaning towards super white. If I don't use it as a backsplash it's much more affordable. But I won't lie, my heart sings when I picture the marble countertops and marble backsplash ;)

ctay83, what do you think of the taj mahal? That would be very pretty with your original cream cabinet choice.

Let your heart sing when you walk into your bathrooms and see the marble.....not the kitchen! LOL

Kristi's combo above nailed it.

They had Taj Mahal in stock, it was beautiful, but more expensive then the super white so it won't work for our budget :(

Are you looking at 2cm or 3cm thick slabs? We ordered ours in 2cm and it was a fair bit less expensive than the 3cm prices I was quoted elsewhere.

Thank you Kristi, unfortunately we have to select from a particular supplier that our builder has a relationship with. The stock of Taj Mahal at the yard was more expensive. I'm unsure if it was 2cm or 3cm.

I think we are going with the super white, in hopes that it is more durable then the calacatta. I have to decide if I'm going to use it as a backsplash as well. My husband hates subway tile, so picking out a backsplash might be tricky. If anyone wants to sway me to use the marble, I'm all ears ;) I still love it! Here are the two slabs from the yard.

I really wanted marble too but I was too afraid of the staining, etching and having to remember to seal it. I went with quartz (caesarstone) and it looks like marble with no maintenance. Beauty and durability! I am going to use carrara marble in my bathrooms though. One day!

I think the super white is a good decision. I'm assuming you'll not be going with the cream cabinets but paying the extra 500 to paint the cabinets, right? If your cabinets are a great color with the super white, it will never be a bad idea to use the same material as a backsplash. BUT, with that said, my choice would be a glass tile for the backsplash, probably in a modern stacked format, rather than staggered. Since quartzite always has a good deal of movement, I think the glass tile will give you a lovely and calmer look than the quartzite backsplash. Would your husband be able to consider a glass tile option (I know it isn't his first choice)?

I won't try to talk you into the marble slab:) It is pretty but I think it would be a decision you might regret very quickly once it got stained pretty badly (which could happen immediately).

This is what I'd choose for a backsplash tile color with super white (both of these are super white). I like the tile color (but not the small tile size) in the first example and I simply adore the super white/backsplash combo in the second example.

ctay - just to complicate matters further - are you saying you would want the Taj Mahal if it weren't for the extra cost?

Have you thought about using 2 different counter top surfaces? For example use the Taj Mahal on the island and Quartz on the counters?

As far a back splash goes, I agree with your husband and vote for using whatever is on the counter up the wall as well. IMO

Is the price of repainting the cabinets the same as the price difference between the Taj Mahal and super white? You seem to like the cream cabinets with the taj. Which is beautiful. If you do end up going with marble, I suggest to go with honed. I can mostly take out any etching with bar keepers friend or bon ami. The Vermont Danby marble website says to use Ajax! Haven't tried that. Buts that's for Danby. And if you test any of your samples, seal them first.

Super White is a great choice. We considered this for our kitchen counter as well but it is extremely expensive here. Like you I love the look of white marble but that too are too high in price. If you love it and understand all the maintenance required, go with what you love. For backsplash, go with something calmer to allow your super white counter be the star.
I decided to use Carrara for our island and titanium granite for the perimeter.
Let us know what you decided and can't wait to see all the photos of you new kitchen.

Visualizemaven, I'd pick between the super white and the calacatta marble before the Taj Mahal. Where I'm getting hung up from a design standpoint, is bringing in warmth from other elements to those counters. I don't want to end up with a white/grey kitchen.... Which is why I was trying to make the cream cabinets work with the super white or marble.

After taking a sample of the standard cream cabinet (in pic above), it's just reading too yellow, so we've decided to paint the cabinets when they make them, I just have to tell them what color and they will color match it.

Obviously whites would be great, but if I can get some warmth somewhere (which is why I thought adding a copper sink would help) maybe I could achieve the look I'm currently losing sight off. Lol.

Thanks everyone for all the input. Im sure it will all come together, but wow it's a lot harder then I realized! We are set to be closed in July, so I'll be sure to come back and post pics when all is said and done :)

ctay83, these choices are really hard and a ton of work. Wood floors (I can't remember if that's the plan?) is your best bet for bringing in warmth. I don't think I'd do the copper sink with these colors. Your paint colors (cabinet and wall) will be really important too. Some grays will be quite cool and nearly blue, but others will work well with the super white but still be much warmer grays. Then there are accents. Red (for example) would be really nice with grays and warm up the kitchen a ton.

yes I agree with Ann above - bring in the warmth you want with a rich and dark (walnut) floor. If you aren't going for wood, you can still use a warm dark brown to off set the coolness of the grays and whites.

Don't forget to place some live plants around - they will help a lot.

I am so happy you have abandoned the idea of cream cabs with the super white.

Check out Dove White and Linen White as options for your paint color on cabs. -They are softer whites.

So exciting!

Do you like/love the Taj Mahal with the cream cabinets in the photos someone posted? I understand budget, as my home is currently (interior) doorless and it would be so easy & affordable to just go buy 13 D 'decent' looking hollow doors but I've decided I can wait and buy one solid wood door as I can (we are currently in the middle of a massive remodel due to a flood last summer - very long - and expensive). If you do not like white cabinets - do not do them. If you want cream cabinets and a light but warm natural stone (anything but marble!), keep looking. You are buying/paying, don't give a flip about your builder's "relationships". It's your home. I don't know if the Taj Mahal is right for you but it did go nicely and had a warm feel in the photos with the cream cabinets. As of yesterday I am the owner of 1100 lbs of White Macaubus Quartzite. It was delivered to our fabricator yesterday until I can get my (preferred) white custom cabinets. Don't settle.

I think you can have taupe gray cabinets with super white counters and it is elegant looking I have seen it. And that is what I am doing with my kitchen with glass backsplash and light porc floors!

So similar to the dilemma I had a few months ago! Lol. If you go with the quartz, check out Cambria. It is beautiful, and they have a Benjamin Moore paint match tool that chooses/suggests the most compatible paint colour to the quartz you select. I have the Cambria Berwyn and am thrilled with it. The backsplash is a greeny-grey glass subway tile, staggered. I matched my drapes to the backsplash colour for continuity. My cabinets are cream. Sink is stainless (industrial size) as are the appliances. Floor is real wood in a medium colour ash.

I'd definitely not go with a copper sink. It was 'on-trend' in 2017, but very much a dated option going into 2018 and longer term. Have you considered a warm grey on the cabinets, instead of white - like BM "Grey Owl", Farrow & Ball "Blackened No.2011", Farrow & Ball "Cornforth White", Farrow & Ball "Berrington Blue", Farrow & Ball "Hardwick White"? These colours add a lovely light, subtle warmth to the cabinets without the harshness of stark white. ~ heather, australia

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Design by @shayelyn_woodbery

F & B "Pavilion Gray"

F & B "Pavilion Gray"

F & B "Shaded White"

Sherwin Williams "Silvermist"

I’m interested in some help.
I’ve looked at quarts Cambria ironbridge for my countertops and also looked at Quartzite Taj Mahal. Once you’ve looked at Quartzsite it’s hard to go back. I’m interested in the cost difference no one will give me a
good answer. I have about 55 ft.² of countertop.
Both are in the budget I’ve heard pros and cons on both. This is my dilemma.

This is a pretty old trail. I suggest you open a new post to get the most advice.

Hey visualizemaven, you mention going with "White Dove" above, I have that on my cabinets & am attempting to pair it with "Shadow Storm" quartzite countertops & I'll have white subway tile. Do you think that these marble-looking grayish countertops will make "White Dove" look too dingy? Any experience with that happening? I'm worried about that.....though I love the Shadow Storm quartzite.

What does shadow storm look like?

This is what they suggest

I have the same dilemma with cream cabinets. A lot of quartzite just doesn't have a warm tone. Taj Mahal skews white/grey and muddy looking. I have been to many stone yards and I am sure there is a warmer slab out there, but I just haven't found it. I saw a quartzite called Nuage (also called Naica nd Tahitian Cream) that seems a little warmer. I'm going back to look at it again.

I finally found a Shadow Storm Quartzite (or finally acquiesced ;-) ) that has light brown spots on it. My kitchen will be a little cooler than I was envisioning...but I have plans to paint my island a warm gray and I'll have warm wooden shelves as well. So I think it's going to look fine. :-)