Option #1, all the way.

I think replacing with a beautiful white countertop all the way around and white subway tile will be gorgeous! We replaced a dark counter with LG HiMacs Ice Queen and it lightened up our kitchen immensely. The online sample looks like it has grey flecks but in person it is white on white with some sparkle. Personally I wouldn’t do the white cabinets but I have dogs and wiping stuff down at their level regularly doesn’t sound fun.

I would change the granite or the backsplash , just paint the wall behind it white . Then have an all White Island ..top to bottom and put some chairs ...enjoy !

Matching a rippled subway tiles, which pick up and bounce light, the exact palest shade from your granite will save you $$$ and lighten the look. Don't use dark grout. Add under cabinet lighting. Then try to match the granite on your island, but paint it the color of the tiles, which your walls should also be. (I see a green tinge on my screen in your wall paint whereas you granite has more gold.) Notice in this pic how the subway tile isn't white but a pale shade of the lightest color in the countertop background.

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Thank you for the picture, Housegal200! I love the rippled subway tile idea to bounce light. I also see how these is a cohesive look, but it starts trending to the cream/tan palette which isn't as fresh a look as I'd like. Then again, I fear that putting a brighter white subway tile might be too contrasting. I'm trying to find the lightest white color in my counter as you suggested and go from there.

Teddytoo- thank you for the counter color recommendation. Did you only replace counters (and not cabinets) when you changed your kitchen? Are your cabinets wood as well?

I think the idea from housegal is beautiful. It would be a shame to waste such fantastic countertop like you have now - a great matching bright backsplash would just be the thing to do. And since the island doesn’t need to match, find something that would complement what you have.

Bring home samples of tiles to put up against your countertops with the lights on off, daytime, nighttime, etc. Even better is if you have a good sample of the countertop to bring to the store. That granite background looks like an ivory in the gold direction.

Oops. I just noticed you have an extended piece going up from the countertop, which will need to be removed if you're tiling a backsplash. Maybe you should just do the white countertops? (I'm a use-what-you have Houzz amateur most of the time. The pros have the best ideas, but sometimes the Dilemma posters don't have the budget, so I'll weigh in on how to make a feature work better without tearing everything out.)

Your existing granite will always dictate your choice for the tile. And the tile will have to be minimum warm cream or tan. Your instincts are right-white will seem somewhat odd next to it. Like it's patched upon, but without the quirk that comes with it. Like you're just adding newer trend , without consideration for your current stone.

You need to decide-either to stay wih a current granite and have a pretty cohesive and still light result as in Housegal's example.

You can find perfect pale tile. Won't be real white-but can still be very pretty, and make you happy. Some stores/manufacturers carry plenty of shades.

Or you completely change the stone, everywhere, to go into a different pallette you prefer.

If you decide to leave the granite-your choice for the island counter needs to relate to it too..to be warm enough. And I'd look for a stone with very little movement. It can be found of course, will take some time. Maybe not stone at all, maybe butcherblock. Depends on your needs of course.

If you go for another stone everywere-I'd keep counters the same everywere too, you'll have already stained cabinets and white island, no need to complicate things with different countertops. It can be done, of course, but is harder to pull off.

Good luck..it's a pretty kitchen. Always look at is as a whole rather than sum of elements, when deciding to tweak/remodel.

Make sure what you love more-your current granite, or the wood plus white direction (I really love the second pic too. I must add that te most gorgeous element there is wood). And then pursue your choice. Knowing well what you consider, and respecting it, in order to get a cohesive result. Both can be beautiful.

As for fresh and bright you see on many inspiration pics ..don't forget that professional pictures are done with optimal lighting.

And a tad different equipment too, usually.

I have a photographer friend who asked me to shoot my place. Let's just say that her photos and mine-two big differences(c)). Colors read deeper, pictures have more dimension to them, etc, etc. Interiors are not easy to shoot, at all.

I don't think you can get the look of your inspiration photos without changing all the counters. Only you can decide is you're okay with a creamier look like housegal shows (in which case you can keep and coordinate with your current granite) or if you really want the white (in which case you should replace all the counters.)

One more thing to consider - your inspiration images all have lighter floors than your current wood tone. Are you changing the floors? Restaining? Adding rugs? I think it would be just fine left as they are, but it's worth noting the difference in what you're liking in pictures and what you have.

This is my wood kitchens idea book. It has both newer and older, refreshed kitchens - perhaps you will see something your like:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Be careful not to go too cool on the countertops - you have a warm kitchen kitchen and you don't want the only cool element to be the counter. That does not mean you can't go lighter and some are versatile between cool and warm. I've seen my light countertop paired with white, dark wood, and warm wood cabinets.

When you do your backsplash either take down the microwave, tile behind it and put it back up or reserve enough tile should you ever change to a hood. I am short and your microwave would be too high for me.

Also think about adding under cabinet lighting if you do not have it. I only did between the sink and range - it has been so helpful - especially when the days get shorter and I am getting dinner when it is dark out. I also love mixing white/ cream and wood.

My kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052