The sink will be noticeable no matter the counter color. The apron will be seen between lower cabinets in gray, correct? It's the apron that is most obvious. You may be VERY disappointed in any attempt to match/blend a gray counter top with gray cabinetry. I'd do white with gray veining. Trust me, you and everyone else will see the sink.

So true Diana!!!

IMO ORB and gray do not work together and Edison bulbs are very poor for lighting anything.As for the sink they always stand out

Since you are keeping your cabinetry, consider the Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" cast iron farmhouse sink. It can be installed on a standard sink base with minimal modification so you would not need to change out your sink base cabinet. The Whitehaven also comes in different colors.

I have light counters (with quite a bit of gray in them) and a white farmhouse sink (the Whitehaven) and the sink stands out just fine and is a focal point. Pictures are in my idea book, but my kitchen is a very different style than yours.

I also have some concern about the gray counter gray cabinet combo. We get a lot of questions from people who have over used gray and now feel their kitchen is drab.

I have an Edison bulb over the sink in my basement kitchenette - very cute, very bad lighting with a yellow cast to it. I would not use it in my main kitchen and may change out the one I have.

Diana, thanks for your advice. Due to the shine that's why I said I would do the Silestone in what they call suede texture. It's basically honed finish. I did consider soapstone, I love the look but kept reading about it not being very hard. Easier to crack or chip. I really don't want to have to worry about that. So would like to know if you've had experience with soapstone?

Yes, Jan Moyer the bottom cabinets will be painted gray. And you are correct about matching grays. I'm discovering it's no easy task. Already bought 10 different shades of gray paint samples to try out. (guess I have another 40 to go?! Haha). Also I'm noticing that the Altair Silestone sample I'm trying to use to match seems to have a green tone to it next to the gray paints. Don't like that. So now rethinking whole thing. If I do choose a gray counter I think it would be Piatra Gray by Ceasarstone. (Pic below). Or white in Silestone Blanco Orion (see pic below) included paint samples I may use. Thanks again for your advice.

Thank you, jhmarie. I am getting Kohler self- trimming tall apron sink. My contractor is very good at modifying existing cabinets below sink. And I was worried about drab look with gray on gray so I will take your advice and pretty sure I'm going to do white with gray veins for countertop. As for the lights, I am installing recess can lights and so the Edison bulbs over the bar are more for getting the mood/look I want than for light output. But I appreciate you telling me. I figured they would not be very bright but nice to have someone confirm it. Here's a pic of look I'm going for. Remodeler will be using some old railroad ties we have on property to make a box (hollow) the lights will be hanging from.