I like the idea of black honed and white subway tile.

I would not go with a light subway. White or beige will get lost with the cabinets. There won't be much contrast. You would want contrast as the entire kitchen will look like a larger mass of pale. I would go with a darker backsplash and a darker counter. That is the reason it was done like this. Sounds like it doesn't appeal to you, so choose something that feels like you!

If you use primarily black on a large surface like the counters, this kitchen will definately say contemporary because of your contemporary cabinet style.

Take into consideration that dark countertops are like dark cars.. they show every scratch and seam.

I would look at a warmer tone for the countertop. Black will absolutely look contemporary. You have good contrast w the floor so you can go w a lighter countertop. Try incorporating some of the brown. Then bring in some interest w the backsplash. Adding some color w art or window treatments will help tie it all together.

I would not go with a black countertop in here. Way to much contrast, I think it would feel out of place, almost commercial like...

Thanks for the input Houzz community! We had black polished granite in our old house and I forgot just how much dust it showed, so thanks for the reminder! I forgot to mention that the furniture came with the house so that will be replaced as well. Do I need to consider the rooms surrounding the kitchen to make it all flow? The dining room has dark chocolate paint and there are built-in cabinets that are dark with an asian influence. The family room is just past the kitchen table and the previous owners covered the fireplace with a dark green granite.We recently refaced the cabinets in there with a dark cabinets, which looks very nice (much better than the 90's laminate). I could tie in a darker backsplash to pick up some of the darker features in the other rooms. Any suggestions for what type of countertops? Grantites that are too busy make me dizzy but I do want some contrast and color in the counters. I saw a color called White Sky and a River White. Is that the direction I should look? The walls are currently an Italian Plaster, very shiny. Does anyone know if we can paint directly on top of that material? Thanks in advance!

I have a dark charcoal leathered quartzite and it's not a problem for dust. So maybe leathered or honed rather than shiny is the key with dark countertops. Soapstone is becoming quite popular for countertops and the Houzz people that have it, love it. Also, engineered quartz (like Cambria) could be considered. Lots of great choices. If you go with granite, I think it's worth considering having it leathered or honed even if you choose a light color. Leathered or honed granite is such a nice trend right now.

I don't know whether you can paint on top of he plaster but are you sure that you want to? Seems to me to be a terrific surface for a kitchen. I think if this were my kitchen, I would use a relatively light quartz and paint the windows some kind of white. Get some white linen shades or curtains if you prefer or wood blinds and be done with it. I really think you have quite a pretty space here. You could get a dark, traditional round carved wood pedestal table and chairs, and hang art or mirrors or dishes in the alcove and put a great oriental rug on the floor. I really think you have something terrific here!

I'd definitely vote for a chocolate stone counter over a black. Gives a less formal look, which makes more sense with your floor. For backsplaash,look for a mosaic that incorporated a dark brown stone as well as varous glass tiles. White subway tiles are a bit clinical for this room (in my opinion!)

I agree with Ann. Dark counters are only like cars (in showing everything) if their finish is as shiny and highly polished as a car's. Honed and other matte finishes on dark counters aren't the least bit difficult to keep looking clean. So I think matte-finish dark counters should still be one of the choices you are considering (maybe brown, to go with the adjoining room?), though medium-toned granite or quartz counters could look great too. Subway tile simply refers to the rectangular shape of the tile, so there is nothing wrong with your using subway tile (whether ceramic, glass, stone, whatever). But I agree that using it in white in an offset brick layout would look too traditional for your contemporary cabinetry. A more modern stacked pattern of subway tile would be more appropriate for your kitchen. I too think your kitchen has great lines, BTW, and wouldn't tinker with it too much.

Ann, could you explain what you do not like about the existing countertops? That will help define
which direction to explore for your new counet top. I am surprised no one mentioned paint!
That is such an impactful way to personalize and warm up the space :-)
When you mentioned changing appliances, what finish are considering?
A basic white kitchen can be updated in so many design directions, good luck with your project!

What about a grey quartz with a marble backsplash? The marble will warm things up (you should get some variation with browns or rust in a carrara and definitely with a calacatta) as well as add a little traditional flair to your contemporary cabinets. Not necessarily the pattern in this photo but just to see the white, grey counter and marble mix.
http://houzz.com/photos/571998

Even a polished quartz will be less shiny than polished granite and you will have a lot of solid color options

Topline - I wasn't saying I didn't like the existing countertops. The poster was looking for suggestions for new countertops.

I don't have quartz but, from what I understand, you can buy quartz with a non-shiny finish too if you prefer non-shiny.

Sorry Ann! I used your name and meant to direct that question to the poster- my mistake!

No problem Topline - I thought that might be the case.

@HERE said what I thought when I saw the photo. You have beautiful modern cabinets, and need a very modern approach to backsplash and countertops. Not granite, subway tile, or the things you'd see in a traditional kitchen. Also, the countertop should be thinner than "usual"; check out European cabinet lines to see examples.

What about something like this. It's between too dark and too light. Nice compromise.

Backsplash

Here's a link to a modern kitchen I really like that was warmed up with wood shelves and a travertine backsplash (you can find porcelain tiles that give this look as well). Here they did a white counter but I have seen some pics of brown quartz that is very nice.
http://houzz.com/photos/520975

Love the kitchen, but it needs some color in my opinion. How about a nice wood (or wood look) counter top? Would go really nice with the cabinets and add some contrast and texture. Except for the countertop I would say add color, not more neutrals.

Thank you for all the great ideas. @Topline Home Staging I don't like the counters and backsplash together, they are outdated and don't really go together to me. It might have looked great in the 90's when they did the kitchen. I would like stainless appliances. In the short term maybe something that would give impact would be to change the two ovens (however they are dacor and work well) and the dishwasher. I haven't wanted to paint until I know what direction we are going in with the counters (or hang any art). Ie bought a house with great bones but it needs some updating here and there. I have another design dilemma that I will be posting soon! thanks for everyone's help! I will post pictures when it's finished. @sam0705 that grey guartz is really beautiful!

If you like a more transitional style then I would agree with Sam0705's recommendation of gray toned counters and Carrera marble tile back splashes which would be a beautiful compliment to the Venetian plaster walls. No one else has mentioned it but I think the dark brown window casings really are too heavy and out of place with the white cabinets. I would paint them white. Another option would be to paint the window casings (outside trim) white but the mutt-ins (trim around the multi panes) black or gray.

I like the wood windows - I think they help to warm it up - once the counter is out from around the window I think they'll look better. I'd even add more wood accents to the room (butcher block or a bowl) to warm up the modern white.
This kitchen is more vintage looking but just for the windows in a relatively white kitchen
http://houzz.com/photos/56748

I would go with a cream and a slight golden granite veining. There are so many to choose from. The lighter the granite the more expensive it is, beware prices change drastiscially. Marble would look great with gray veining. You can change the handles to change from contemporary find a more traditional handle. I would do FULL granite or what ever you decide to use. Back splash and counters to match no grout to clean, with oils and cooking grout becomes a mess and stained in time.. It's really just a little bit more then tiling it. Usually if the cabinets are white or light you go the opposite color on counters. Dark cabinets, light counters. or white on white would look great, and you could add any accent colors in accessories and change those to completely change the kitchen any time you would like. When you add one color like say, Blue, you have to stick to that color year after year, that would bore me to death :-) I prefer keeping it clean and neutural so I can change it if I'd like in a couple of years without it costing a fortune. Good Luck in your New home!

I was trying to make a similar decision and to help me I covered all my countertops with black towels and tablecloths just to get the feel of the dark. That may help you. I myself found it just too stark and loved when I pulled the towels off so I intend to go to a warmer tone. Good luck. I do love a white kitchen -timeless