Wouldn't do solid white quartz, I'd go for something with a few brown tones in it, like this:

Do you think the brown fleck will go with the existing granite?

Ah, sorry, totally misunderstood- thought all counters were being replaced. In that case, no fleck, but go off white/cream for sure.

So your vote is Quartz?

I think what you have is beautiful, and I don't see the point in replacing it with something that goes less well, in order to get a larger overhang that doesn't add any function...

Pretty kitchen! Agree with Claudia there's a lot already going on in the kitchen, visually. The safest bet is to stay as-is. I can't tell what color the wall tiles are, in some pics they look gray and in others a pale sage blue/green. If I did change the island top, it would be to a warm cream color with streaks or accents of that color and the caramel brown of the cabinets. Something like this from corian. (sea salt.) Testing with samples would be critical; the key is it would need to feel like it's unifying what you have vs. adding another element.

It already feels like there's a lot going on in this kitchen, so adding another element would not help at all. Leave it as is.

Holly, The color does depend on how the light hits the glass backsplash, but it is a smokey gray, not blue or sage. Would adding a different color countertop on the island make the room too complicated, in your opinion? I prefer simple clean lines overall. I disagree that the larger island won't add any function. We tend to use our island a lot and with the sink taking up space as it is, there is much less work area than I'm used to having. I don't know that I could get the same granite that would match perfectly because it would be a different slab. Do any of you have any experience with that? Not to mention that the granite guy said he knew how to do a chiseled edge and did not do what I asked. The first photo is what I showed him, the second is what he did. :(

Oh good heavens!!! I really liked your granite island top until you zoomed in on that "chiseled" edge. That's horrendous!!! I'm so sorry. I hope you post a picture of the finished kitchen... wish I had some good suggestions for you, but now I see why you want that top totally replaced.

skmom, the builder claims they can grind, polish and seal it. That remains to be seen. :O

Adding a different stone on the island will make the room too complicated. Also, I can't see bringing in a marble/gray colored island top like Bianca Quartzite - it will seem out of place with the perimeter counters and since the rest of the kitchen has such warm and rich colors. I do like the idea of a warm cream stone like Holly recommended but I think it would need to be on all counters. I think your best bet is to go to a few stone yards and see if you can find a new slab of the Black Forest. There are so many stone places in the area, I bet you can find a pretty close match and no one would know except you in the end. The other option is changing all the counter tops and that would be pricey and labor intensive especially with the back splash already being installed. I know it is a new house but I always think of resale and I would say skip that chipped edge for the next top...too hard to get done right and not good for resale.

I agree not to replace the granite with another, or even a quartz.
However, if you really feel the need to extend your island then a wood top in the same stain as your cabinets would work without competing with the granite.

Oh my that edge is disappointing for sure. If you get a new slab I wouldn’t do chiseled Edge with farmhouse sink. But I would do Virginia Mist honed granite. I think that would look spectacular in your kitchen. Hope things work out well.

Flo, are you suggesting the Virginia Mist honed granite for all countertops or just the island? I do love that look. My husband is more inclined toward traditional polished stone, but I like the rustic look of honed.

I would just do island. That stone is also called Jet Mist in some places. It takes a straight chiseled edge nicely if you want and can get someone that has the ability to do it right. I think I have a photo of it. Bbl

Wishing you didn’t have the double backsplash. Don’t need that 4” granite.

If you really want a different color slab for the island, I'd match the island cabinet color to the perimeter cabinets. I think your kitchen would be improved by a lighter island slab and use same cabinets throughout. HTH

You have a ton of space in that kitchen - why not add additional cabinetry under the new larger island? Make the cabinets back to back and then keep your existing overhang depth. I personally have a hard time seeing a lighter island. There is already a lot going on there, as everyone else has mentioned. Stick with the same color granite as you have all around. And even if you get someone to do chiseling correctly, I also don't think it goes with the clean subway tiles and farm sink. Beautiful home - congratulations!

Keep the granite the same and no chiseled edge. Too many colors otherwise. Maybe some light colored bar stools when you're done? The dark brown/black stools get lost with the floor is island. Agree with Flo to remove the 4" granite and replace with tile if possible. Any way to get additional panels to cover the side of your fridge or cut a recess behind the fridge so you can push it in farther?

Flo, thanks for the clarification. I think I would really like that. I'm not sure why the builder installed the 4" granite around the backsplash when he knew I was planning the tile. The house we rented in Richmond had the same thing and I thought it was peculiar. I was wondering if it was a regional thing as I had never seen that when living in NY for the previous 20 years! I would love a photo of that granite if you find one.

Val B, I wish I could recess the fridge further. Doesn't seem to be a possibility and the cabinet manufacturer doesn't make a deeper panel for this purpose. I was dismayed when I saw how much it sticks out, but it's a done deal until I need to replace the fridge, unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestion about the stools. The ones we have came with us and were actually very expensive, a much higher quality than the ones you see in all the box stores now. We have had them from before they became popular. I love them, but may be able to use them elsewhere. Thanks for the suggestion. Would I have to match the perimeter cabinet color if I replaced them?

And, please someone, is the phrase (used repeatedly throughout this conversation), "a lot going on," code for chaotic or too busy? It doesn't feel that way when I'm in the room. The only part that is really bothering me is the granite and it's just not an option to remove it all and replace it. This project has been hell to get done with our builder going well over 2 months past the date it was supposed to be completed by and us being displaced during that time. Not to mention that everything was piecemeal and I never had the ability to sit with samples of cabinets, tile, paint, granite, flooring, etc. and put them all together before making selections. I've done my best from a computer screen and memory for the most part. That all being said, I have to decide on cabinet hardware and need input on this. Here is what I'm thinking about (knobs on upper doors, cup for lower drawers, pulls for lower cabinets). Would it be better to go with all pulls instead?

Would this type of addition to the existing island (in a wood tone to match either the island or the perimeter cabinets) work?

Sorry, I just saw your request. Not getting notifications. But here is a photo of the countertop that would be great on your island. I also suggest you consider an extension table to slide under your overhang to utilize your space better. I will find photo of slide out or table extension for your island.

Here is photo of concept. I am doing this more and more for more convenient family use.

Flo, I like that idea, but would like it to be counter height as we already have an adequate space for dining in the adjacent area. How do you think the idea would be if I did a wood add-on to the existing island? Would you also mind giving me some input on the cabinet hardware and wood tone for the extension?

I would think it not necessary if you have the seating you need. I would need more photos of the area to give you more input.

As far as the hardware - I like what you have pictured. I vote for variety instead of all pulls :) I think it will be beautiful as well as more functional.