With white cabinets and charcoal floors, the sky is kinda the limit for counter choices. No one can tell you what you like without some samples of what you are looking at or thinking. If you are doing stone/quartz you need to go to a stone yard and look at slabs and see what speaks to you. Same if you are doing laminate - go check out samples and see what you like, then post pics or bring a sample into the space and see how you like it. Backsplash is very last - after counters are in.

Top of cabinets should have been addressed at install. If not doing some kind of molding, then they should be stacked to the ceiling and trimmed out that way - unless you don't mind the dust collecting up there since there is no soffit to fill the space in between ceiling and top of uppers, but even then, you can use some kind of molding to finish it out.

I agree! You could pick any color you want! It doesn't seem like you have a lot of natural light in the space so when you do pick some samples, make sure that you bring them home to see how they look in your space with your lighting. Back splash will be last. If you do a pretty tame counter top, you could get bolder or more creative with your back splash color or design. If you pick a top that is pretty busy or colorful, go with a more muted back splash so as not to clash or compete.

You can't see it but the wall to the right of the Kitchen is a Bay window..this photo was taken at night. I usually decorate the top of the cabinets with multi colored vases but looking for something different! The Quartz countertop i'm thinking of would go up as the backsplash as well....trust me I've looked for almost a year and seen everything there is...im just not sure what will give the wow factor!

new window coverings will come last

Have you looked at granite? If you are looking for that WOW factor you may find it in a granite. The quartz looks nice and continues that contemporary look you have going on but is it a special/wow counter top. No, as if you spend 10 min looking through Houzz dilemmas you'll see it being selected on a regular basis so to me it isn't that special as "everyone" has it. Listen to your gut. I know that you are at the end of this tiring process but look again for that special one that "sings" to you and leaves you with no doubt that this "IS IT."

I have looked at everything...at 10 different places including concrete. I don't see any granite that I like at all.

I like light countertops with the dark floors. Too many dark surfaces will absorb all the light instead of reflecting.

Not a fan of items on top of the cabinets, they just collect dust and getting up there to dust is a pain.

I love the Cambria Brittannica!! You might get the same look using Vicostone Arabescato and save a few dollars while doing it! A full height back splash will give you a WOW factor, for sure!!

https://vicostone.com/en/quartz-stone/BQ8912

oh thank you for the Vicostone reference...I haven't heard of it and YES the Cambria Brittannica is super expensive :( but hoping for the wow factor . Thanks again!!

You don't need to do anything at the top of the cabinets. As for countertops, we think Cambria Brittannica would be lovely. Then you would add color via a blue or red tea pot, stools, a bowl, etc. You don't need to make it all wow until it is done.

Your recessed lighting was not installed in the right place...it seems to be lighting the top of your cabinets. You don't need to add anything on top of your uppers, but you may need to have the recessed lights moved do they will light up your counters when you get some.
With white cabinets, you can use any material for your counters...laminate, Corian, granite, quartzite, Quartz, concrete. What will your budget cover? What do you like? Did you have a plan going into this project?

here's some granite samples

1. rocky mountain
   
   
   
   

2. black space 3. amadeus 4. white reef leather
   

link msi there was another one called "silver creek" on msi's website, really pretty but it would not let me save it.

the first two are close-ups but their website has a pic of full slab.

another link this is where the 2nd two were.

maybe u can get some ideas and try to find them where u live. the problem is granite does not go by the same name at the stone yards...

good luck... this is a difficult decision, but truly when u find "the one" you will know it!!!

Thank you for the assistance- the lighting was already there and yes my husband plans to move them. There is no budget constraints per say, it literally come down to trying to decide on a color/pattern. I'm not concerned with Quartz vs Granite, I just want the wow factor of when you walk into the kitchen. I keep leaning towards Cambria Mersey or Brittanica but I like the granite colors above. Thank you everyone!

IMO if you are looking for that WOW factor then you have to look for something unexpected. Imagine the below kitchen if it had the quartz rather than this Lapis Lazuli. What has more of a wow factor to you? You can do the WOW on the island and play it "safe" on the perimeter.

This is the counter & backsplash that I have chosen to go w/my new white shaker cabs. Not finished yet, but I love it.
Gives it my individual personality.
Very little wall space but they are a soft grey.

Don’t decorate the tops of the cabinets. Decor up there makes a kitchen look like you’ve got no storage, which isn’t what you want in a remodel, is it?

You don't need to do anything to the top of the cabinetry however if you feel it is unfinished you could always add a two step crown.

Dark island and light perimeter countertops (opposite of other photo) with Wow backsplash. Note both photos are with dark flooring, too.

I would go with granite or quartzite which has white and gray in it...not too dark because your floor is dark and you need some contrast between the white cabinets and the charcoal floors.

Vetrazzo perhaps? Recycled glass in a matrix. Lots of color options, and unusual. Vetrazzo.com

Top of cabinets? more cabinets. Why do so any kitchen designers lesve this storage opportunity empty? Of course if your can lights are in the way you will not be able to do this.

For the top of the cabinets you definitely need more cabinets, otherwise it's just unused space where only clutter can thrive. For the rest of the kitchen, think about a well-balanced contrast between countertops, cabinets, and backsplash.

Hello amy anderson, Brittanicca would be stunning in your space. If you are interested in a full backsplash as well, we recommend viewing this space by MiaMiaMine. We also recommend considering Clareanne, Annicca, or even Torquay paired with pop of color. Hope this helps!

Cambria, i've changed my mind and now looking at Bentley or Mersey. Bentley is my first choice though and i'm waiting for a sample to arrive before final decision but i would like your thoughts! Again Countertops and backsplash....

Why not do simple tops and a knockout/bold splash? Buck the trend.

Stainless

Mosaic with plain tops

Vertical

amy anderson, both gorgeous choices! Our example of Bentley shown on it's design details page is what we would recommend. A simple white in a fun shape will create a neutral backsplash that is still interesting. We would also recommend a similar style for Mersey.

I love Everest Granite! It was definitely a "wow" in this space (on the island). I'm personally biased but Brown Fantasy is beautiful, and the slab I put in my kitchen has a lot more grays to it as well! Cambria Summerhill and Galloway also have some pretty neat patterns to them as well as a little bit of sparkle!

(brown fantasy)

(everest on the island)

Hi Amy, I just came across your old post because I was looking for kitchens with Mersey quartz on the island. What did you end up doing in your kitchen?