Possibly slabs of the same material which you can envision layouts that let the island be the star. I don't feel that material requires another perimeter material. It's not that dramatic.

Not soapstone the green one is granite, Why do you need to different materials for counters? If you already have a different color for island cabinets all the counters should be the same. I would never hazard a guess without seeing the kitchen or at least cabinets and a whole slab or two of whatever I would like.

I am a fan of all green stones, including Golden Lightning granite. It would look fabulous in the right space. Aren't you wanting to do a plum colored island? If so, I don't think the GL would be a good match.

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Patricia I know it is granite. I saw the picture and liked how it resembled soapstone and would consider it if I like it in person, however, I do not want the green to overpower my entire kitchen if that makes sense. That is why I was thinking I would not want it on all my counters as I feel it would be too much, too busy.

Zsmith I agree, It would not look good on a plum island. I have decided to choose my countertop first. My KD, who is also a designer, told me to make that choice first. I would like a plum island but I am not dead set on it. I could bring the the plum color in somewhere else or with accents. Green and plum go well together but definitely not with this slab! In the top picture I see way too much green. Id like it for a statement piece but not my entire kitchen.

green and plum? not sure...TRY instead greenish with reddish toned stains...more like it. beware of the shades you are contemplating. I find the first one..COSTA a lot more flexible..you can work with whites..grays...neutral browns...DYNAMIC. The second, green one, is deadening to me. We all see things differently .

I think it depends on the plum color and the green but the stone is definitely not going to go with any plum color for sure. herbflavor what do you mean deadening?

Then there is this: Rainforest Green "brushed."

Becky, the island's stone countertop.

If you want the stone countertop to be the star, then I'd keep all the kitchen cabinetry, including the island, the same color. You were going to have white cabs around the perimeter and plum island, right?

And this pains me to say, since I loved the idea of a plum island (I'm the one with a plum front door) : / .

I'm not sick of your posts. I'm waiting for the one where you find yourself head over heels in love with a particular slab and your vision all falls into place. Magic eight ball says: Soon!

ps-how large is this kitchen to be?

I also have to add that I think green and purple/plum together are a lovely combination, and one of my favorite color combinations for autumn and the holidays; Annette Holbrook has a current thread with her bedding in her cottage, and it looks gorgeous. But that's one print used judiciously with several solids. And I think you need to do something similar if you use a colorful stone with lots of movement.

Maybe it's me being slow after the holidays lol, but NEgal, what's the plan again for the cabinets and countertops, perimeter and island? I think a reminder would be helpful, for my grey cells at least : ) .

Becky I may see these stones in person and think "yuck." I LOVE the marble piece I found that has just a touch of plum and think it would look stunning but know the price is going to be ridiculous, it is calacutta. I am awaiting the price but looking at one more stoneyard just for the heck of it. If something screams out at me that I love and goes well with plum I would absolutely choose it. I want to love my choices and am afraid if I can only choose countertops that go with the plum it is severely limiting to what I am looking for, a wow factor on my island. I do not want anything plain looking. I do not like solid or solid looking for my island. The fun part is I could see something that I have not posted and fall in love with it.

Holly thanks for saying you aren't sick of my posts. I am having such a hard time making decisions. Being ADHD does not help and probably why I am all over the place and cannot focus.

My kitchen is roughly (do not have plans in front of me) 13.4x18.1. That includes some room between seating of island and living room.

Are you considering a a contrasting island and two different countertops? With the purple island I would consider a marble with some purple in it like Breccia Violetta? It might be a little much, but it sure is dramatic.

Or maybe Paonazetto marble:

I like the Paonazetto best- but I would not have two different counters and two different cabinets, though.

Rita I am having this priced out for my island but found out after the fact it was Calacutta marble. See the little bit of plum color at the top and a tiny bit on left of slab? I can only imagine the price I will get on this.....

The Breccia Violetta is gorgeous!

Oh, that is a gorgeous slab! It's perfect. My fingers are crossed that nobody likes it because it's too stinking colorful!

I think with a Calacatta marble you could still do a plum island.

NEGal, hope you mentioned the giant plum flaw in that gorgeous piece of marble....why the stoneyard should almost pay you to take it off their hands ;-)

Rita I have it on hold for two weeks!

Becky It would look stunning for sure. I am afraid to hear the quote from my fabricator. I think if I want it bad enough my husband would agree. It really depends on the price. I have a feeling it will be very expensive. Also, I heard leathered is better than polished because polish etches more.

Holly I'll tell them you said so! lol

I heard leathered is better than polished because polish etches more.

Etching and scratching show up less on leathered/honed marble. We have honed Carrara, which is sealed, and it still shows some etching, though I don't mind because ours is a working kitchen.

I also like the look and feel of honed much better, more like what you find in an old European kitchen.

Right, so that particular slab is polished. I could see if it could be leathered but it would change the look and how would it look leathered? I prefer leathered to polished.

The rainforest green slab above in my pictures is leathered but I am not liking the granite I see online in images for rainforest green, although this slab doesn't appear as green so have to see it in person. Hard to go from marble to granite....

I like the Paonazetto best- hood arzan

" . . . what you want to be the star of your kitchen . . . "

Hopefully the cooking will be.

WE have leathered Golden Lightening in our kitchen. Everyone who sees it, is totally mystified by it's beauty. While it has many colors in it, it is predominantly green. It is very organic and earthy and we absolutely love it. Nothings shows on it what so ever, no stains, no marks, nothing!!!!

Love the look of the marble with the slight plum in it.

The marble with the plum veining is just beautiful!

The marble with the plum veining is just beautiful!" I agree!.. but waiting on the price...

Mark-without a doubt!!!

Vev mom looking for my second choice because am guessing marble piece will be ridiculous, like a family trip to Bora Bora. Looking and hoping to find my second favorite. I love the Golden Lightening in the picture! It is supposed to rain/sleet here tomorrow. Hoping it wont keep me from going. The place is over an hour away.

Thanks for all the feedback!

I like the Paonazetto!

I'm SO glad that my kitchen is NOT "open concept". I don't need to worry about what part is the "star", or how it works with the sofa in my LR. I don't want my guests in my kitchen when I'm cooking. Family members, yes; guests, no. So no "starts", no "statement pieces". It's SO much simpler for this tired old woman. Hopefully, the food is very good.

LOL Hey I am not far behind you lady! I am thinking in my older age it will be easier to maintain. Guests? What are those? Very rare. Usually only family. My last home was not open concept so while I cooked for everyone at Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve everyone else was in the big family room and I was mostly by myself in the kitchen. I hated missing out on talking with everyone so feel like this will be more fun. Of course my food is good Anglo was there ever any doubt? :0)

My last home was not open concept so while I cooked for everyone at Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve everyone else was in the big family room and I was mostly by myself in the kitchen. I hated missing out on talking with everyone so feel like this will be more fun.

Closed-concept kitchens are my absolute favorites, especially in homes I visit, during big parties. No one EVER hangs out with the hostess, so I slip in and chat with her, doing dishes, gathering trash, and fetching ingredients while she cooks. I love, love, love it. <3