So it sounds like you want to stay with light and white have you put your counter top picks with your tile? Make sure those whites are in the same colour tone (warm or cool)
I have 2 floating shelves in my kitchen. Measure and measure again to take in account items on countertop and thickness of shelves and items to be placed on shelves. Nothing worse then not being able to use your countertop and shelves as the items you want to use there are too tall.
What are you doing for a backsplash? Might I suggest that whatever you pick cover the entire area.

Your kitchen looks great so far!

I personally love the Calcutta Gold. It has a nice, subtle, natural movement to it. The Calcutta Vicenza is more of a splotchy pattern that I don't care for as much. The other option looks too manufactured (even tho they all are, haha). With that said, you can't go wrong color wise with any of your choices. I think this decision is really based off preference.

Good luck!

The Stellar White looks nice, I am not a fan of the Vicenza. It isnt a good imitation marble IMO. Have you looked at Calacatta Venice? It’s somehwt like the Gold, but softer veining. I love your cabinlet color. I think you have lots of visual interest from those and your shelf idea, so going understated pattern-wise on the counter makes sense. Good luck!

@Zimmer - I am a bit OCD so yeah. I actually drew up the layout inch by inch using grid paper.

The floor is a textured white/warm grey. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I really like it. It sometimes depends what light you see it in. They are also very large I think almost 17x17.

The Cabinets are Nickel Grey.

There was 29.75 inches between. I am using 1x10 boards (They are only 3/4" thick)... so that brings me down to 29. I have also decided to finish of the bottom of the cabinets. I am using a 3/4 molding along the edge and closing the inside up with a painted piece of thin plywood ( maybe 1/8 the most).

That leaves me with approximately 28.5 of actual space. 18" for the bottom 10" for the top. It is also the reason i decided to go with a 10 inch deep shelf and not 12 inch.

On the pantry side I am going to use thicker 2x10 boards. However, I will also have a space saver work table I can fold up and down.

OH Definitely tiling all the way up behind the hood!

Thank you

@ Glo - Thank you very much!!!

I feel you read my mind. And Those were my concerns with my top two. If I knew for certain the splotches/veining was very subtle I would like it. However, in some pictures the veining/splotches look dark which I don't like for the reason you stated. The sample I had has them more subtle - but not sure I want to take the risk - The place is pretty far from me to go pick it myself.

The speckle one I worried about the over manufactured look. However, Since I can't go pick my slab, I feel like it is a safe option. Also, I really like the glass specks. My kitchen is small so bouncing light off the countertop is a plus. Hopefully the wood shelfs will soften that manufactured look

LOL- I said the same thing in the store.. that I don't think I can go wrong with either. @.@ it is just driving me crazy. Even talking to you a bit and having you see the same things that held me back are a big help.

Right?!

Honestly, I would look up each type of countertop installed in multiple kitchens. Then, see which ones you are most drawn too. That's the route I would go if I wasn't able to see a larger slab.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Erin. I will take a look at your suggestion. I am definitely seeking a soft veining. I was just trying to avoid going straight white.

Everything looks great and it sounds like you know what you're doing. Either counter will be fine. The one thought I would add is, before you decide on your counter surface, think about whether you want an eye catching backsplash. Your inspiration image has a simple counter and from what I can see, a plain white tile bs. If that's what you want, no worries, but if you are considering a complex or marble bs, don't go for the Calacatta Gold counter.

Thank you.

I went back and forth with the backsplash too.

In the end I think I am settled with white subway tile laid in a herringbone pattern.

https://www.google.com/search?q=herringbone+subway+tile&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHisumotLfAhXNY98KHV93AcsQ_AUIDigB&biw=1381&bih=763&dpr=2#imgrc=6xma7PxTEoaeIM:

Also debating if I want to do one of those small mosaic squares/rectangles that people do only in front of the stove. I thought it might be cool since I want a subtle understated BS and countertop.

Love white subway tile! Good choice. you could also think about laying the tile in an offset pattern, then doing the herringbone pattern as the “square feature piece” in front of the stove. (Full disclosure that was my dream until hubby ex nayed white bs because we also Have white cabinets haha)

All seem to work. I would probably take those samples and place on floor to make sure they do not clash. I think that will help narrow your selection. Next take the remaining samples to tile store to see if you can get tile to complement ( again this might narrow down selection). Once narrowed dow bring all samples into room for last review with lights on and off during different times of the day. Good luck - I think you are close. FYI I like the first sample for counter but worry it might be to white with the floor

Me again I have seen pictures of doing a feature tile behind the stove. Just be aware that you have to add some sort of trim around the accent. I looked at doing that and ended up not doing it due to the trim pieces. So take a look at lots of pictures to get an idea of what the end results will be. Plus the trim pieces can be expensive depending on what you pick. Love the herringbone layout

Erin, I really like that. The moment I read your comment I could picture it!

So I will either do the herringbone with the larger format subway as Glo suggested.

Or Ill do the offset subway tile and the herringbone for the accent tile. Originally I was going to look for a nice mosaic with colors that would go well with what I am doing.

Thank you so much for all the great inspiration and ideas!

Have you seen a full slab of Stellar White? It’s VERY white. I’m doing it in my bathroom remodel, it’s beautiful, but in my opinion has a bathroom feel to it, especially with the sparkles, not a kitchen feel. I think something with veining would be better.

I have not seen it in person. But was also considering just straight white. So I am fine with it.

I did however, pass by this one while browsing the site:

https://www.msisurfaces.com/quartz-countertops/calacatta-botanica-quartz/

We think the Calacatta gold is a great choice if you decide to go with that. We also think going with white subway tile is a nice idea. Below we included a few of our kitchen designs to help you envisions what your kitchen might look like as well.

Keep us posted on what you choose! I still have not purchased yet... so much anxiety in making this choice!

Try looking at photos on this sight. Begin by creating a new project folder. Then filter by kitchens, cabinet color and style, floor material and color. This way you are focused. Now review each picture and save only those you really like. When finished look at the phones on folder again to see if you see a pattern. When viewing look at counters and backsplash in photo. Hope this is helpful.

Another idea I used was to go to a counter store which has the big slabs on site. Took floor tile and cabinet door in hand. Asked for help. Pick a couple and then ask to see large slabs. I took pictures of both with my samples. I did and the one I thought I wanted after seeing large slab was knocked out. The one they picked was a clear winner. I actually went back a couple hrs later with my sister to confirm. Once decision was made I stopped looking. I’m showing picture just so you can see. Note not recommending anything. The first was my original as I see it all the time and was in love with it.

Simmy, what did you end up with? I would love an update with pic!

Sure! I went with the Ceasarstone Classic Nuvo. I thought there would be more flecks, but I still like it.

I plan to use a large format white subway tile. Either 3x12 or 4x12.

A shelf well be mounted 18 inches above the counter and be stained a walnut color.

Lined up with the shelf I plan to put a tile accent - The one see in the pictures above.

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/elitetile-pharsalia-2-x-225-porcelain-mosaic-tile-in-bbluegreengray-eml3424.html

Thanks for all the help.

Going with black soft iron pulls and knobs (knobs only for pantry)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-Essentials-Francisco-4-in-102mm-Center-to-Center-Soft-Iron-Drawer-Pull-10-Pack-P29617K-SI-B/305756036

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Brainerd-Quatrefoil-Soft-Iron-Novelty-Cabinet-Knob/999921304

The blue accent tile is very nice will give you a pop of color. Nice selections

I love it all, the counters look lovely! It’s going to be very nice when it’s all finished! We are in the final stages too, just waffling on backsplash.

What did you decide? Your cabinet choices and kitchen are very much like mine, so would love to see how it turned out! (I'm still deciding on countertops...)

Very nice!