@essence Me too! We are doing a soapstone and honed White Carrara together this week! (soapstone on the counters, full backsplash in the white carrara slab).

Thank you to all who have taken time to comment! I don't feel alone in this! Based off of your feedback, my research and the amount I want to spend, here is where I have landed: I am replacing the tub with something as square as I can find to fit the space. I will not have to replace the floor. I'm doing a shiny regular white subway tile with a medium grey grout for the tub surround and I am taking it to the ceiling. I am adding a couple of niches too. The shower curtain will be replaced with white. I will replace all the bath and sink fixtures and vanity pulls with brushed nickle. I am keeping the vanity for now, yet may change it out for something in white and do a honed Carrara marble top. If/when I decide to replace the vanity, I will use the same subway tile part way up the walls at the vanity height. I liked the suggestion of a silver mirror (or I may do charcoal) and will add glass shelves above the toilet (which I am also replacing). While I know it's cliche, I will accessorize with shells. My father gave me an amazing collection that he found from his time in the navy doing deep sea dives over 50 years ago. From the shells, I am taking a soft blush color to put on the walls. I chose Fruited Plain from Benjamin Moore. I can't wait to share the "after" photos!

I just did this in my laundry I went to a craigslist granite guy equals cheap and got a slab of honed granite cut, shaped, and installed for less than 300 bucks. It was 24"x 70" just a thought. Formica is cheap and will work just fine but granite is not a budget blaster if you know how to cut out the middle man ex lowes Home Depot etc.

Seeing as your other appliances are stainless, I personally would choose a stainless countertop for the lower level of the island. That being said, a copper sink and stainless counter might look gaudy. Conversely, you could use the wood as the lower level and use the material that matches the rest of your counters for the upper level. Either way, good luck!