I have dark green limestone countertops. I love them. My kitchen looks vintage - painted off white cabinetry, dark walnut island on legs and these countertops that have a soft look - no shine. HOWEVER, you have to be willing to take some stains. Lemon is actually the worst offender. Wine hasn't been a problem for me as long as it is wiped up. Water is no problem at all. The good thing about dark limestone is that it already has "inclusions" in it - fossils from the bottom of the ocean. So when it is brand new it has spots that are darker and lighter and I think my "stains" just look like more inclusions so they don't bother me. But limestone is a soft material and in a couple of places the edge has chipped. FYI, my counters are 12 years old. Good luck w/your decision.

Are there pictures of your kitchen on houzz? I'd love to see it! Thanks so much!

I used to clean house for a woman with limestone floors. After about a year she hated them because the absorbed every stain that touched them. I've never dealt with them as a counter material but I'd have to believe they'd be the same. Ryegardener obviously speaks from experience, so listen to them. As for wood, any time it's near water, trouble will follow. I think it could wear beautifully if you don't mind imperfections. Just be prepared for people mistaking your island for a gigantic cutting board.

Here are my pix. Sorry it took a while. And pls excuse the mess. :-)

Also, here is a close up of "inclusions" and "stains" See if you can figure out which is which. (The pencil is natural, the pen is the stain)

Have you thought about quartzite, natural stone hard like granite but can look like marble? Or honed granite, I had this and loved it because it was super durable but not shiny and had a more relaxed natural feel.

Thanks rye gardener for sharing! The limestone I am thinking about is a lot lighter shade of gray. It is beautiful! I am thinking of using it on my large island and then possibly a calcutta or some other shad of marble that has gray in it. I have looked at quartzite, however am not that crazy about the slabs that I have seen.