Your beautiful inspiration image uses black cabs with white counters. Are black cabs not an option?

I would pass on wood counters, and ask about having the black quartz honed.

sounds like a euro look that you started with white gloss slab cabinets.....pretty standard for that part of the world...however you are adding the "glam" factor with hardware, wallpaper, etc. I would go back to your white slab choice-gloss is okay, but maybe a basic white counter and textured white backsplash and get some solid wood flooring for your contrast. I'm not so enthusiastic about the hardware you picked...... it's got a sheen that plays up the champagne color and on hi gloss white, I am not feelin' it. ......stainless finishes, maybe semi- luxe black on the white gloss, if you ask me.

I know your inspiration pic kitchen..it is breathtaking

What the floors are/going to be?

We don't really have any other options for the cabs if we want one of these "nicer" countertops. If we upgrade to shaker cabinets then we will have to downgrade to laminate worktops. I would rather have a solid worktop and glossy slab cabinets than matte shaker cabs and a laminate worktop. I just really don't like stainless finishings. Silver metal just seems so harsh to me.

The floors are a medium toned brown wood.

Can you choose the tone of your white quartz? As in, can it be plain solid white, if you go for the marble backsplash?

Initially, I was for wooden countertops, but I think your flooring will provide enough richness and contrast and texture. Another wood, with a different stain, might be too much if you're going for a look that's more glam than rustic.

Glossy white and shiny black can fall a bit flat. If it was a honed stone, or something like a soapstone, then the black would be my preference.

So, it gets me back to an option number one, just tweaked a bit..white countertops, but no speckles maybe?--too much with the marble..and marble as you planned.

Or. Another option-to take some very pretty ceramic tile for the backsplash instead of marble. Maybe still white, but of an interesting shape..maybe ogee?(lantern-like)..maybe handmade to get these slight irregularities, to keep the whole look both glam and modern-but nodding to the old tradition of craft, and giving a feel of warmth and coziness, like in your inspiration picture.

Of course I don't know whether it's a possibility at all, given you have to choose within certain parameters.

You can add some dark elements either with a veining in marble itself; or to go with a slightly darker grout if you like the idea of shapes in the tile. But even if you buy black granite cheese board by Michael Aram(or something along these lines; I know this one because I received it as a gift several years ago, and it still embellishes my kitchen)-you'll have your dark and gorgeous element, just by displaying it somewhere.

It will also play well with the wallpaper, since this designer loves floral motives..)) A lot of them.

His collections are huge; here are only cheese boards and such..

http://www.michaelaram.com/nsite/productlist.aspx?cid=75

In short-accessories, whatever you'll choose to have, will play their role too, in how your kitchen will ultimately feel. A bowl of walnut wood will look no less gorgeous, and will be useful as well.

You can't do a flat door cabinet in a matte finish?

Taking from your inspiration kitchen, you have the wood in the floors, the white in cabinets and countertops and the gold in hardware. You need to add some of the black. You can do that in a pretty ceramic tile for backsplash (similar to the floor tile in inspiration pic) and perhaps a black or dark stained island (if you have an island) or black hood.

have you considered brass vs gold?

I'm not really sure the difference between gold and brass. please explain. I actually went out yesterday and purchased a slate colored porcelain back splash tile. I think I'll go with the white counters and dark back splash and like the last commented said then I'll at least have the color combo. thanks!

The inspiration pic pendants appear to be aged brass. It's darker and has more dimension than gold. However, if you are sticking with the wallpaper you posted, then gold would work better.

here is the next question- at suggestions for the light over the dining area? it is adjacent to the kitchen. our front room will be painted dark like this picture. With dark lounge and dark back splash I think a dark light would tie it all in.

Can u post pics of your space?

Gold has more yellow or red or pink in it. Brass has a bit of green. I think. That's actually a great question. I will continue to think))) As there is also white gold..))

I much prefer red gold over the yellow one for example. And I prefer antique brass over the polished one.

The preference for finishes, as the preference for any color actually, is very personal. Some like shiny, some like dull, some like cool, some like warm.

I think it's cool you know what you like and what you're going for. I think it will be a pretty kitchen.

Is the slate porcelain tile a bit textured, or is it flat?

Pics of the dining space will be very helpful, I agree

I love the wallpaper!!