I like the first combo as well. I and I have white quartz with a seam to the left of the sink. It's not ideal but I keep a dish drainer out so it hides a lot of it. I can't say it's invisible but I don't think it works prevent me from choosing what I really wanted.

Sorry for the typos can't edit from my phone!

I love the first choice as well (I feel the second is a poor substitute). The colours work beautifully. Seaming, done by professionals, and with the right colouring mean that you soon forget it is there (and no one else ever notices - unless they are kitchen designers!).

Stick with your original choice which is a more classic but timeless look.

I love everything about your first choice. I think that the tile selection in your second choice is a bit too modern for your cabinet style, and I am SO over granite.

One word of warning though ... with those dark stained floors, EVERY crumb you drop is going to show.

Thank you all for your comments. Just an update that the second choice backsplash would be done on brick style installation. The floors look much darker in this shot but they're a light warm brown maple. I agree on the first choice but my fear is that the seam may be done in an apparent way, despite assurances. Is it worth the risk for our first choice?

I like the ones on the left and who cares about the crumbs....get a swiffer and use it every two days.

Having just remodeled my kitchen I can promise you that you will regret not going with what you love. I'm with Brenda, go with the quartz over granite!

Goodness, I wouldn't let a little seam stand in the way of my getting the kitchen I wanted.

I think it would look good with the granite and the backsplash you put with quartz. I like the way the colors would all contrast. Hope I helped!

Crumbs do show on my dark hardwood floor, but I had a vacpan installed in the toe kick under the sink, and between it and the duster head on my Bona, that takes care of the crumbs.

If done well, a seam will be hardly visible. Your first choice is very chic.

Get a dog. Crumbs won't be on the floor for long.

The first combo is the one I like best also.

I just had leathered quartzite with a great deal of movement installed on my island and the fabricator and I tried every possible way of laying it out on the one slab. There was only one possible way to make it fit and I have a seam in the center of the most visible area of the island :) The quartzite was so expensive that I didn't want to afford two slabs for a bookmatched seam in the center - which would have been nicer. The seam was done well but of course it's rather obvious (mostly because my quartzite has a lot of movement unlike yours) and I knew that going in. To me it's worth it since I adore my quartzite, but everyone is different. You just have to weigh which is more important to you and how much you think the seam will bother you. I think your first option is beautiful and classic but I think your second option is nice too. The only thing that doesn't work with the second option is the backsplash - I'd regroup on that if you choose the second. Also, if you don't like shiny granite, you could do as I chose to do and have the granite leathered or honed for a completely different look. You could also do that with the quartz in option one. It costs around $600/slab to have a product leathered. It's certainly worth checking out leathered products to see how you feel about the finish. I love the floor choice!
Good luck - your kitchen will be beautiful!

Definitely the left. The granite is way too busy and the combination is not as harmonious.

Two comments, no suggestions: I would question why the seam is going there and the glass tiles will look blue when installed.