What about option 3 with a marble top on the island and Eternal Statuario on the perimeter?

I like option 3 as it seems the cleanest/least busy

Hi mark_rachel Just to clarify you like the Taj Mahl counters the best but would use these more plain tiles for the back splash.

Yes :)

Why not add a darker color?

Option 3 is beautiful - clean & sleek and timeless in my opinion. Love the look of it all together.

I agree with mark Rachel. The taj mahal will perform better than the marble countertop, and it’s beautiful. I dislike the backsplash you paired with the Taj Mahal, and really like the ones mark rachel suggested. The silestone is fine but I find natural stone so much more appealing. Good luck and please post photos when you’re done!

it seems you really like the stone backsplash which would add the french romantic element you love. I would work around the stone and add a plain counter maybe in a darker color to contrast the cabinets and light flooring.

Taj Mahal natural quartzite is stunning and an excellent choice, even for a hard working kitchen. I love mine. Taj Mahal will look great with your Simply White cabinets. As for the backsplash in pic #1 with the Taj Mahal, I agree with your husband and mark_rachel.

But really, you're putting the cart before the horse here. I'd slow down. I would caution against any backsplash or hardware selections until you have selected and installed your slab. There is considerable color and movement variation from slab to slab in any natural stone, and you are setting yourself up for big disappointments by trying to do this with samples. Your best plan of action is to have the countertop installed in your home before you make any backsplash decisions. The natural and artificial light in your kitchen will greatly affect the undertones. You can then bring backsplash samples into your home and see them together.

Option 3 is for sure the one that I would pick. For the simple fact that it gives you some many more decorating options. You can choose to add so many different colors in textiles and with that said it is such a great palate to work with leaving you so many great options and choices.

I like option 3 personally.

Taj Mahal counters, stone back splash and simply white cabinets with brass hardware. Floor white oak gets my vote!

I really like the second option! I think it's simply and neutral. You could pair many different accent colors to this option! Good luck!

I also vote 3! "Clean look" never gets dated.

plan 3 looks the best

I feel that #2 is too matchy. The counters and the backsplash together have no contrast at all. I cannot see this being really a beautiful kitchen. I do like #1 but I love natural stone. #3 will probably be the one that can go through several trends without ever looking outdated.

This is another photo of the dining and living room( floor is being installed today) which have been painted simply white. I don't know if a photo of another area of the house would influence the kitchen finishing choices. The railings are being stained the same as the floor .

We have about half antique furniture and half more modern.

Here is what we recently went with.

Thank you Cfillaw that looks beautiful. What is the back splash and counter material? What are your floors in your kitchen? Your cabinet white looks like a cooler white. Do you have a larger photo of it with your whole kitchen?

Here are a few more pictures. Sorry for the mess as we are still building. The countertop is Silver Grey granite. The backsplash is a satin marble that we found at the Tile Shop.

We used the same color hardwood throughout the whole house including the kitchen. I only have a picture of it from another room. The floor is big horn hickory from Chelsea Plank.

The stone looks like the pavers I used for my driveway, so I don't think it will look good as a backsplash. I also don't think it will look great with Taj Mahal once you have a whole slab/counter installed.

You options seem to be a bit fixed and rigid. Why not Taj Mahal with something else?

I would love any other counter top choices, back splash cabinets, hardware suggestions. The only thing that is fixed is the hardwood white oak flooring. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I love Taj Mahal but am thinking the kitchen will look too brown/tan with Taj Mahal, brown hardwood and a plain back splash like the below photo. Therefore I am not sure if Taj Mahal is the correct choice for my space.

I Definitely don’t like the stone backsplash. Seems rustic not romantic.

Thank you I am so glad to be getting everyone's opinions. I for some reason thought the stone For some reason I feel like the backsplash looks like something a modern french style kitchen would have along the idea of these photos which I was inspired by.

Those are very different than what you chose. The first photo shows a flat smooth finish and one size. Behind the cooktop it’s different.

I vote #3. I like the texture of the stone in the photo with the brass hood but I don't think that is like the stone you have in the 1st photo.

Yes robinhome I see what you mean. It was the closest tile to what I could find that was "Rock Like" and they had it at Home depot. I am not a fan of brick really and what I also liked about the sample in option 1 was that it has various sizes.

If you like the TM you should go look at slabs. They are realy range in color & have very interesting greens, tans, whites & other colors as well. I don't think it will be boring brown/tan like you think.

I have been to look at the slabs and they are beautiful. What I was thinking was that they are brown tones and so is my floor. The Taj mahal doesn't really lend itself to a busy backsplash so I would have a cream or brown backsplash ( if not doing the rock one) and that would leave me with a brown/.tan kitchen. I had considered doing the TM as a backsplash .

I also like the top two stutuario slabs , the following marble "ivy" something ( I can't remember the full name, and the bottom bianco carrarra slab.

I feel like I totally get the vibe you're going for. What about a stack stone backsplash, in something like an ivory? http://otpcappcon.com/8587/stacked-stone-tile-backsplash-incredible-astonishing/lovely-lovely-stacked-stone-tile-backsplash-stone-backsplash-kitchen-home-designs-idea/

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MSI-Marble-Tile-LPNLQARCWHI624/205960149

The only concern I have is that it's going to be a pain to clean.

Yes I think you did get the vibe I am thinking of. Thanks so much for the two links they are on the mark for what I was thinking but a little different that the first stone option which has more greys. It would be hard to clean. Also it seems that that type of kitchen back splash is not that popular .

Yes that is the vibe ....I wish I lived in a french chateau ....That is the inspiration. I like the 2 links and stone examples you sent. I don't know if that look is very popular in kitchens at this time however and not sure if this is

Personally, I like your first stone that you posted. It's definitely a unique look and not for everyone, but I feel like once it's all together, it would be elegant and rustic. Are you concerned for resale? Are you concerned that you won't like your selections in a few years? If not, I say go for it.

http://encoreceramics.com/crackle-glazes/

Encore & Fireclay have some really great colors that could be incorporated with the TM, or whatever countertop you choose. MOP is also very nice.

why not do a dramatic granite and a plain b/s?? you are not stuck to TM., there are so many awesome granites.

i would not pair man-made counters with a real stone b/s. it never looks right.

with your cabs and floor, you can really go in any direction. your not stuck to a brown and white kitchen. on my monitor, your floors seem to cast a peachy tone. sorry to say, i don't like any of your choices. not a fan of carrara, i like calcutta gold for marble. like the TM, but not with the b/s u have picked out. #3, a no-go with fake and real (counters and b/s).

bring your floor & cab sample to the stone yard and go from there. if u have your paint picked out even better. pick your counters, then go for b/s. bring samples home and see them in your kitchen and lighting. as said above, its very difficult to pick everything from a small sample in a store.

Those back splashes are both beautiful. Does the first one come in a larger format as well?

I know we see it on Houzz photos, but one of my local high end tile shops did not recommend MOP (mother of pearl) for kitchen backsplash areas that would get dirty, like sink and stove areas.