IMO polished granite is the only way to go if you want pretty indestructible the minute you start exposing the bare stone you run into issues .If you do the silver cloud in polished it will be baurtiful except I am not sure about using it with rustic hickory so I would stay simple and polished like milky way.

Silver Cloud. OMG. Stunning.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting the milky way is suede. not sure what that even means. is it honed? It was more shiny than the brushed.

@DCF-Z6A the silver cloud is stunning. I think I am wanting to go more neutral. Literally the floorplan is so open that I don't want anything too crazy but I did love it...

The island will be a darker stain so won't look as busy I think a rustic hickory typically would look..

I love the Silver cloud but doesn't seem to fit with farmhouse decor.

Can you get your fabricator to give you some samples? Might help to see even a little corner in your own light.

And you might want to take your hickory and white cabinet samples to the granite yard to compare your favorites.

When I was picking counter tops I was unsure but when I went back with the doors it became obvious which one was the best pick—-and it wasn’t the granite I thought was my favorite.

good luck.

OK Silver Clouds is out.

Milky Way has 1 vote.

Thanks.

Silver Cloud does not speak farmhouse to me.

You said you wanted to "pet" the Nero Orion, so I would say that is my first pick. Followed closely by Via Lactea Suede.

Here's a liess busy granite. Andino.

No to the Andino. Keep thinking of farmhouse. And you said less busy. That is not it. :) Not to confuse you any further, but have you looked at soapstone?

No to soapstone as don't want to deL with oiling etc.

Back to black. Thanks

I like any of the three black slabs. The silver cloud is pretty but seems too busy and too blue-ish for the other components in the kitchen.

Please send a picture of your kitchen ready for countertops! Thanks! (unless houzz isnt showing it as seems to have that problem for me lately)

No pic new construction cabinets going in tomorrow

I will vote for the Via Lactea.

I have a slightly better picture of the Nero Orion

And a picture of Via Lactea [its not that gray though]

it is darker than that picture...

slightly better Milky Way shot

I have via lactea around the perimeter — but mine seems darker with a bit more grey/white threads. Works great with white cabinets.

Nero Orion. Reminds me of soapstone

How about Elegant Gray granite?

All are nice but the lighter ones seem more modern, less farmhouse vibe then the black ones. A leathered granite can mimic soapstone. I have leathered Virginia Mist granite on my perimeters; very easy to maintain and go well with my soft white cabinets.

thanks all. I've chosen the brushed nero orion. i am excited.

It is exciting when you settle on a slab. I am so impatient to see mine in place.