I m agree with other comments ,Marble is nice but too white and its really hard to keep it specially if you have a kid and entertaining kitchen,Second choice would be a good choice,I would change the backsplash ,I like the cabinet handles .

Hi- which did you decide to go with and why? I'm in the same boat as you, though I will probably be going with pure with cabinets. - thx

You should not get marble! Pick a black or dark granite or quartz to give a contrast to the cream cabinets. Those are combinations you often see in "restoration" style kitchens.

Love the London grey

Like option #2

London Gray has just a slight contrast. That would be my choice.

Another vote for #2.

I would serious stay away from the marble do a quartize it is very durable agains stain and heat. I think for a country or farmhouse look I woulg go with soap. Soap stones screams farmhouse, country, and french counrty. Your cabinets need a contrast next to them otherwise your kitchen would be lacking personality and punch.

I certainly agree that quartzite is fantastic. I recently did my island with it, but it's quite expensive. You can get natural quartzite in light or dark colors - it's beautiful! Soapstone is great too if you'd like dark counters. But for a light counter, your #2 choice is very nice too. I would stay away from marble based on what you've already learned with the spoon test, unless you like the look of stained, etched, dented marble. Some think that adds character.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I so appreciate the feedback. As of now I've decided NOt to do marble as I think it will just drive me too crazy worrying about every stain and spill - and since we entertain a lot and have 3 little kids, I would be worried all the time and not enjoy the kitchen. I've narrowed it down to the 3 xaesarstone a. While I agree that a dark color could be nice I'm really going for more of a restoration, lighter look. I found an awesome linen bench and new bars tools and what I failed to mention is that we completely made some big changes - we put a 30 Inch fridge and freezer separated by an appliance cabinet and added a new big hood in lieu of the microwave. I couldn't decide on the countertops early enough and needed a top for the appliance cabinet and we are having a beautiful wooden top made in that area which I think will add character and be something different that will go with whatever other top I do. I'm also adding reclaimed beams to our breakfast area. I will post pix of the changes as soon as they are complete. That being said, I've yet to make my decision over the tops. Most of you chose 2, dreamy marphol, which I love, but I'm worried my entire kitchen will just be cream. I don't want a lot of contrast but the pix I've seen of creamy cabinets like mine have a whiter - mostly some sort of marble of course - top - and that is what I'm gravitating towards. So, I think I'm narrowing between London grey and frosty carrina. I like the simple, clean look and i think one of these will give me that look! I will keep you updated as to my choice but if you have any additional thoughts please feel free to share! THANKYOU!!!

If it's between those two, I think the color of frosty carrina is just a little bit better than London grey.

4. Very neutral and timeless

@ejbmom: I think the reason that many people voted against the lighter whites for the counters is that not everyone likes the look of pure white counters (or appliances or backsplash tiles) against cream colored cabinetry. The pure white has the potential to make the creamy white look too yellow or beige by contrast. So what's important is that you go into the project knowing you will like this effect rather than being surprised by it after the fact.

BTW, the marble is Calacatta (Italy), NOT Calcutta (India).

Hi ejbmom,

Looks like I am a bit late on this but I will weigh in for the London grey as it is reminiscent of carrera marble which has the look you are aiming for.

Feeny is so right. Most of us average gals and guys don't know much if anything about undertones in colors including white. Maria Killam, a great color expert in Vancouver, teaches a whole system of "getting" the undertones right. As Feeny says, many of us don't like the look of white on white and usually the reason is that the whites don't work together. Sadly, once the project is done, you end of with a kitchen you hate and can't change, or at least one that always seems to be off somehow though you don't know why. You obviously can't afford a color consultation with Maria or have time to take her course, but you can check out her website at MariaKillam.com and look for the color white, white kitchens (which she loves), white cabinets, white countertops, etc. and you'll find a ton of info and advice. Also, do what Feeny did for you - collect pictures. You'll get thousands at HOUZZ if you just type in white kitchens or country white kitchens - pick out the ones you like (Just THOSE, otherwise you'll get overwhelmed) and study the countertops , etc.. I'm really eager to see your finished project because my goal for my kitchen down the road is the same, a white country French kitchen, and I'll be facing some of the same issues. Don't rush, but do, do, do post the final project.

Marble not good will stain. How about slate? It's inexpensive and has that country look. Or a travertine, would give you that look too.

I love those new Caesarstone colors. I am personally using London Grey in my bathroom (with white tile and navy blue walls), and Frosty Carina in may kitchen (with all white).

Have you looked at Curava? Recycled glass. They have a white with brown chips in it that I love.

#2 is definitely getting my vote.

I like #2. We just installed dreamy marfil in our kitchen. We love it. Soft and warm.
http://houzz.com/discussions/552673

ejbmom - such good points! Hope you haven't ruled out dreamy marfil completely and will possibly reconsider it. It really is great for your kitchen.

#2. Is lovely

I think an off white is your best option rather than a stark white which some of those samples appear to be. We have recently renovated our kitchen and used Caesarstone in Creme Brûlée, and we couldn't be happier. It bears up to heat, red wine, a grandson banging on it with heavy objects and more. With a light colour you don't need to worry so much about streaks and smears showing as you do with dark colours. I use microfibre cloths to wipe it dry and it shines beautifully. You won't be sorry if you choose Caesarstone.

2nd one lol

I've just looked at your old counter sorry I should of done that first no idea why I didn't.

I actually like the old better then all the others and easier to manage

Definitely #2! So pretty!

I concur with the rest #2 is gorgeous with the kitchen!

Your hear all but decide based on what goes with your Lifestyle..Remember if doesn't blend with your everyday lifestyle not color is going to good for you !

I had inquired about frosty Carrara price and I was shocked at how expensive it was, more so than most granite and Carrera Marble. Does anyone know if this is accurate? - thanks!

My understanding is that quartz is usually more expensive than the low to mid-range granites and comparable in price to the very high end granites.

I'm getting the paints made they are all tailor made. I'm on the case lol

So sorry posted on wrong thread so so sorry

What was your final choice? Curious minds want to know!

dreamy marphil but heed the warning about marble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I could never do marble. I am too type "A"!

I would stay away from the marble. The new Caesarstone options you have are great! I have seen installations of London Gray and Dreamy Marfil and they look beautiful - not your typical engineered qaurtz! I love the London Gray, but my first thought was that your cabinets look like they are a really warm cream - would the cool tone of the gray look good with the cabinets? I'm not sure from the picture. Dreamy Marfil is warmer so it could be a better option.

Well, I still have not decided! Our kitchen renovation, other than the counters which is the last decision (and hardest!) is almost done. Unfortunately I don't have before pix but the wall you see used to be a plain door that was a pantry, my oven, and then a desk with cabinetry. We ripped that all out and put in this wall with a separate fridge and freezer, pantry and appliance garage that had my microwave and toaster. The Reno also included taking out my over the cooktop micro and putting in a large hood (this still needs to be tiled), and moving my oven and adding a door that pulls out next to it. We are changing the light fixtures as I'm going less dressy, and also adding beams to our eat in part of the kitchen - again, we were going for a more simple, classic, resorationy look. So, that being shown, if anyone has further feedback on counters let me know. And to the person who asked, yes, xaesarstone can be and often is more expensive than granite and sometimes marble - depending on which marble you select. BTW, the only decision on the counters made is that I did rule out the marble!

yes #2 is Perfect!

Old post!!!

I finally made a decision. Despite the vote for #2 dreamy Marphil, which I did love, I went with London Grey. I was concerned my entire kitchen would be all cream and I really loved the look of carerra marble -
And this was the most similar to that. Most people who walk in the kitchen think it is marble. Personally, I'm not a fan of busy so Caesarstone was perfect for me as it has a consistent look and is very clean. We did a double laminate oggi edge island. I've bad it in for about two months and love how it is holding up. I can cut on it,
Put hot things and is holding up against my 3 kids under age 6. Highly recommend Caesarstone!

And a few more...

#1 or #2

I like the way you have the different edge on the island! Looks great, nice that you are enjoying your kitchen now after sweating all the details.

Gorgeous! Thanks for the pictures!

Number 1. Number 2 looks dirtied.

Thank you for the final pictures. I'm putting London Grey into my kitchen, but was waffling between dreamy marphil and London Grey and enjoyed reading about your journey

Thank you for coming back and letting us know what you did.

I am in the EXACT same boat as you, so thank you for posting!
"off" colored cabinets, and down to either London Grey or Frosty Carrina. I love the crisp clean pop of white in the frosty carrina, but nobody else gets it. they think that i just am using clashing white colors. Glad to see i'm not alone in liking the look. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the veining of the London Gray (more than the frosty carrina)... i just worry that it might not have enough contrast with my cabinet colors. I'm torn! This decision could take me a long long time. Your kitchen looks beautiful!

frosty carrina left, london grey right
(impossible to photograph!)