that island is so small, seems like a waste to purchase another style when you will barely see it. I would just use the same stone you get for the perimeter. (would you have to purchase the large slab or is there a remnant you could use? My fabricator has tons of smaller remnants of all types)

While I like the gray, I'm just thinking about the backsplash. will you be changing that at any point? Those 2X2 squares on the bottom line are really throwing things off for me. almost looks like someone messed up and tried to fix their mistake. I like the creamier quartz for the perimeter w/a different splash. Heck, if you are going through all the hassle and cost of new appliances and countertop, just redo the backsplash. you can get it done for less than 1K (if you do it yourself, 500 bucks)

Your kitchen is very pretty. If you like your darker countertops then I think you have made a good choice:)

Are you keeping your backsplash? I like it and hope if you are keeping it that it will not get damaged changing out the counters. You will need to talk to the countertop people about making the new countertop fit the old countertop thickness wise so there is no gap between the counter and backsplash.

I have an LG quartz and I am very happy with it. My neighbor just get her new LG quartz installed. I was surprised to find mine is 3cm thick throughout the counter and hers is 2cm. that might be important in getting the thickness right if keeping your backsplash.

I probably should have said we plan on adding to the island as well as changing out the cooktop to stainless as well. I've seen pics and one in real time of tables being added to the end of island for seating. As for backsplash we'd like to keep it and the bottom row of tile would need to be removed for the Quartz. My thought was to keep the island lighter and to add a little interest with Quartz that had a little more guess pattern to it. But I'm just not sure... that's why I'm here.... again:)

How do you plan to repair the bottom of the backsplash?

Beth what would you suggest for a backsplash with the creamier Quartz?

Oh geez you know what else I should think about... the fireplace on the other side of kitchen. (See this is why I come here--helps me think this stuff out). It's a Chicago brick. Hmmm do I need to worry about this too ?

I remember beth posting a pretty backsplash with wood cabinets a day ago - I hope she can post it for you.

I used a cream subway tile with my countertop which has some cream along with other colors in it:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325

Here is another pick of brick in fireplace in kitchen.

Jhmarie we were thinking with an even smaller tile same color and lot we have leftovers. I don't know. Now I'm thinking we can't because it might look like mistake. The laminate is not as thick as the Quartz so there would be a gap.

then with what you have going on in the room, soapstone. or a darker type granite.

I love the look of soapstone but from what I'm told it's a bit more maintenance and we have 2 areas by cooktop and sink where the lip (I think you call it) is smaller than the countertop people recommend and that Quartz is a bit stronger and thus that lip could be a bit smaller if need be. Also is it more expensive too? I also love a few of the backsplashes you posted. Have to talk my hubby about this. I think his concern is that once he gets the current backsplash off the wall need work then too. My other thought about the dark countertop is that I feel it kind of sucks the light out of the kitchen. Thus the lighter countertop on the island. So much to think about and I don't want to make a mistake. Too costly.

This is from my idea book. Don't like granite choices here but this is the idea for the table on the island. Beth not sure if this is what you have seen as well?

oh ok. now I see what you want to do. so is it going to have a little step up like that as well, or just one level surface? are you able to match that 'leg' to your wood cabinets? what if you painted the island to go w/the different top you wanted?

How do you plan to use that round part if you add it to the island? Do you envision it more for seating or prep work?

Beth yes we can match it to the cabinets. There is one set of cabinet fronts in our kitchen that is only 1 year old versus the rest at 22. Accident that had to be replaced but I don't think anyone could tell. Ted this table we want is more round than the one from my inspiration pic and it would be for seating for parties. Everyone is in the kitchen (unless we are entertaining outside). So I envision seating around the table. I'd be okay with all grey Quartz but I love that creamy one with the grey veining for a portion of the kitchen. However if it doesn't work I'd just do all one color/type.

So I really love this kitchen. Warm cabinets grey counters ( honed Jet Mist). There is another I'll look for. It has light counters. I'm torn.

Here is the other.

Dark is my vote including the island.

The other thing you could do is put white/cream paper down on the island and see how you like it. That should give you a good idea since you already have the darker perimeter.

Ted that is a good idea. Thanks.

Dawn, I love the first pic (dark counters w/the light blue/gray glass splash). that is stunning.

Me too Beth. My cabinets are not that dark. Do you still think I can go that direction with countertops and backsplash?

Jhmarie what was your Quartz. It appears to be white with not lot of your cabinet color In it. And it looks nice. I was afraid the creamy Quartz we liked didn't have enough of our cabinet color in it. It has the grey and taupe of our backsplash though. Kitchens to me are one the most difficult to get right.

My quartz is LG White Pearl also sold at Menard's as Riverstone Flaked Pearl. My Menard's has a sample of it on an island which is where I saw it and loved it. The little 4 x 4 sample did not show it well. My countertop before was blue, so there was none of my cabinet color in that one:) I loved my blue countertop when I first got it!

There is cream, white, gray and a hint of beige. I tried to find a pic that shows the counter realistically. There are areas that are pearly and tend to read like a light gray area in a pic when they actually have depth - like a polished rock. I found this picture which shows the warmer almost beige areas. These area are throughout the counter but it takes the right light to get them to show up well in a pic - click on the pic to enlarge it and look to the right of the flowers:

This pic also shows it a little:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~54988831

There are others quartz with less movement that have the same warm tones mixed with some grays. My neighbor has LG Aria which is similar to your sample. She has new dark brown cabinets and stainless appliances. Mine does not have the darker, almost black running through it that Aria or your sample does. The movement in my counter works well with my cabinets. If you thought it was too much, then look for similar tones in a less busy pattern. I do think the amount of movement in my quartz calls for a simple backsplash.

Jhmarie that is very pretty up close. Thanks for the photos. I was looking in your folders and you have great examples of light counters with light cabinets. I'm still leaning towards the darker color around the perimeter and a desk area not shown and then a creamy one for island and table. Just so hard to visualize what that would look like. Do you think my current travertine tiles are to busy for either granite. I've posted a pic of it near backsplash and a side cabinet panel that houses oven and then just the creamy one near my cabinets. Does the creamy one pull enough of my cabinets to work on the island? Thanks for all the help all. I so appreciate it.

Your darker choice looks very similar to what you have and I think that would look very nice on the perimeter. It would also look good on the island just as the present countertop looks good. The lighter would give you a lot more movement then you are used to and I think that you seem to be drawn to the darker counter. The darker is pretty and sophisticated and is a good look with your cabinet wood tone.

I am unsure about the island. I did not do my island which is butcher block due to cost. I considered doing it later, but I now think it might be too much movement in too little area if I did - I've got a smallish closed kitchen. I think the thought to wrap your island countertop in some white paper - draw some dark squiggles on it - might help you visualize the space. It is not a very large island, so I think the light there could work. The dark would definitely work

The dark looks really nice with your present backsplash. The light looks like a good color match too - the question would be if the two together are too busy. That depends on how muted in real life your backsplash is. In your whole kitchen picks, it does seem subtle - but only you standing in your kitchen can tell for sure. The pic you have where the table top is a different counter - that would look nice in the lighter.

Before you make these expensive countertop changes, make sure you are happy with your layout. Many are not overly thrilled with the stovetop in the island. If you are not, now is the time to move it. Then you would not need to add the table top to the island. I am not sure of the cost, but adding a stone table top may be nearly as expensive as moving the stovetop.

Pretty house and kitchen:) I like your choices but wouldn't hesitate to go all the way to the dark side with black;) Soapstone, absolute black granite, quartz...I think it is a timeless look.

These two kitchens are my favorite on houzz...I like how the second kitchen did a cream island with a mahogany butcher block. Probably not the best option for you as you have your cooktop on the island but something to think about:)

Kjoy1 you put soapstone in my photo! Thanks!! I love the first kitchen you posted. But it has tall ceilings and lots of natural light. I have 8 foot ceilings and some natural light. I had a large piece of absolute black granite home a while back and was not wild about how dark or shinny it was. I felt like the black could just suck the light from my kitchen. That's why I was leaning towards grey around the perimeter and something light on the island. Though seeing it in my space helps.