Back in the day they did real linoleum counters. I'm assuming you don't want to go that hardcore.

Butcher block could work.

I can't think of any sound-absorbing countertops (maybe a pro can weigh in with that), but I can relate to the open concept being too loud. Our house is too loud and if we ever move, I want at least a less open kitchen. What we did in the kitchen/family area is use large rugs, upolstered family room furniture, upolstered cushions on the breakfast room chairs, a runner in the kitichen, etc. We chose honey-comb shades, but if I had thought about it more at the time, it probably would have been better to choose insulated roman shades in a nice fabric.

And our formal living/music room (with grand piano!) is open at the top to a gameroom that has a pool table in it (ugh, so loud when the kids have their friends over). In there we have very large Persian rugs and floor to ceiling insulated curtains. We need to replace the shades in the gameroom, and we are going to put in insulated fabric roman shades. When we bought the house, the sounds were boucing all over the place, but after we fully moved in and got the rugs in place, it quieted down a lot. Good luck!

I can't recommend countertops but have other tricks to deadened sound. Do your cabinets go up to the ceiling or is there space? If there is space, putting acoustic panels on the tops of your cabinets or egg crate foam will help. Also area rugs, thick curtains, and cloth furniture will help. Leather furniture helps sound bounce.

layer window treatments.....and textiles[upholstery...carpet...etc] . Pine has air pockets and any pine surface in lieu of another wood can be helpful.....carry those softer wood cabinets up higher[if you are doing cabinets]... Wood in general is good.....wood floors if you don't want carpet with a thicker pad. Larger upholstered pieces considering you have an open plan might be the best bet...kitchen surfaces aren't the best place to expect echo -less. But there can be a few things you may be willing to do . Counters? butcher block /corian or laminate or a combination..... if these things work for you.

Corian, or wood would be my choices. Formica could work too.

Butcher block for sure I sometimes had 6 people working in this kitchen i ran a catering biz from there and the nice thing was the sound of pots and knives and spoons hitting the counter was actually muffled. Make sure the surrounding spaces have nice thick rugs drapes as much soft material as possible it will gobble up noise.

thank you all so much! i appreciate the thoughtful input.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I *love* the look of that kitchen! Do you happen to know the type of cupboards/cabinets you have? I'm interested in both the shiny red wall cupboards and the frosted glass overhead cupboards at right.

@bikewalkbarb- long ago Ikea.