Here is a lighter tone quartz that has subtle golden veining

https://www.msisurfaces.com/quartz-countertops/calacatta-valentin-quartz/

You are trying to make this kitchen into something it is not. The warm wood clashes with the grays.

In my opinion, honey oak looks great with green. Or, you can’t go wrong with a black granite.

I really like the beige swirly counter sample. For backsplash, I'd go for a warm cream/off white. Not white.

I get that you are trying to use a quartz with veining that ties into your cabinet color. It’s a cool idea, but I think @eld6161 is right about the gray, and about the green.

Start by collecting inspiration images of honey oak kitchens you think are beautiful, then analyze the images or ask us to help. You will learn a lot about your own likes and dislikes that you may not be aware of.

Also, keep in mind that you have 1980s partial overlay raised panel doors. They will never look good with glass tile.

I love my gray with oak and I'm sorry but I do not like green paint with oak at all but it's a personal choice and I think lighter is better

@eam44 Green is not an option I think I would want but am always open to looking at a different idea. I much prefer a neutral color that I can accent with items that are easily changeable. I know my cabinets are dated, but I think black countertops are as well. I am trying to somehow modernize a bit but keep it neutral. I have green in my bathroom and I’ve never been a fan of it. I had started looking into gray after I realized beige just wasn‘t working for me and I already don’t really like the stark white I currently have. I felt the gray didn’t just blend in and get lost. What would you recommend as a backsplash? I’m not a fan of small designs or anything that is super busy and too many colors. I feel like my cabinets are already super busy with the graininess.

The choice on the right in the first pic looks nice. a big no to the glass backsplash in the second pic

@User What is the issue with glass tile? Is it too modern? No glass tile in general or just not that style? I’m totally at a loss what to do for a backsplash. I like the simplicity of the glass tile but had some concerns about glare. I also like herringbone style.

I’d do the copper mist in your first pic ... black or dark hardware and a whitish plain ceramic backsplash. You have great windows w light a plenty and the bit darker w light appliances... light backsplash and dark hardware will be fabulous . Interesting details for the oak and you’ll like the elements w the light streaming in. Just rid yourself of the stripe wallpaper . Let the light hit that copper mist and you won’t want to leave your kitchen.

@freedomplace1 That actually isn’t bad. I looked at a few samples like that but it wasn’t doing it for me. It’s so hard to judge based off a small sample. This does look nice when you see it installed.

It’s a great look. Love the thickness and the sort of marble veining. With the simple subway tile and darker grout + black hardware, it’s a classic look, I think. I love your wood cabinets and wood is very much en Vogue now. If I were doing quartz counters in your kitchen, this is how I would do it.

And get under cabinet lighting if you don’t have.

I might be in the minority here, but I really like gray with warm wood tones or gray with gold. And with the honey oak, it kind of gives off the gray with gold effect. The Silestone Copper Mist looks gorgeous to me.

@freedomplace1 It’s so hard to picture things. I do think that counter and stainless steel appliances might also improve the overall look.

I like either one! Hold off on the backsplash tile until AFTER the counters are installed.

are those tiles white or light gray. If white:

If you like the white glass tile, I would be very careful. you can't tell from just a few tiles, but once they're all up, the white glass takes on a very cool, minty tone. It's just the nature of clear white glass. If you want white, do a ceramic. if you want glass, do something darker.

if you want a gray tile, I'd still wait until everything is installed.

You plan on doing some type of hardware? hopefully?

I think the darker, Copper Mist, and maybe a slate blue/gray tile would look great!

with the lighter option, I wouldn't do that gray glass. it's the wrong tone. you want something warmer, creamier,,,or something like these options

@burtnyks, show me what is beautiful to you, and I will happily help you dissect the elements and bring them into your space. The image I posted with the orange walls has a green granite counter. That doesn’t mean a kitchen that is inspired by it has to have a green anything. The tile in that image is actually a light grayish brown - that might be the takeaway. Now show me an image with honey oak cabinets that you love. Give us an idea of where you’d like to end up and we can help you find a half dozen routes to get you there.

@Beth H. :The glass tile is actually white, but looks like a cream. It did photograph gray for some reason. I hadn’t really considered hardware but i think that’s an easy DIY. I really do like that white herringbone backsplash you shared.

@eam44 I have to say that the marble look countertops are growing on me. It’s light but not stark white. I like a simple backsplash but am drawn towards the herringbone or subway tile. Color wise I’m not quite sure but if I did a light countertop I would be fine doing a darker backsplash. The first pic is what I don’t like.....the beige. The only neutrals left are white, gray, or something darker. I’m a little hesitant on the marble look because my home is 20 years old and it’s not super fancy. I worry it might look out of place. I’m doing the upgrades for me to be happy but also want to consider resale. I probably won’t be in this home forever, but at least the next 5-10 yrs.

This is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older refreshed kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/plans/wood-kitchens-pp~543268?stepId=saved

In my own kitchen I used a quartz that looks a bit busy in the sample, but not so much when I step back.

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58831076

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~120928771

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

It is not technically a "marble look" quartz, but I often get asked if it is marble.

Before you do the backsplash, consider if you want a hood rather than an over the range microwave. If you think you might want a hood eventually, make sure to reserve enough tile to fill in the space.

burt, I'd be very careful with any white glass tile. it ends up looking minty and quite cool. Doesn't matter if it's back painted w/white. the front of it will read minty green once installed. you can't tell from a few tiles either. If you want the white/cream, stick w/ a ceramic or porcelain.

The one w/the herringbone is a soft white in a matte finish from Tilebar.com.

You could even do it w/this Fawn color tile (in the herringbone layout)

https://tilebar.com/manchester-fawn-3x12-ceramic-tile.html

You can order 5 samples for $5 from them. I have at least 40 of their samples! see what you think of these and grab some samples for yourself. (once you decide on the countertop choice)

what do you think of the Byzantine Latte? I love this coloring w/your cabs and the lighter quartz

https://tilebar.com/byzantine-latte-ceramic-tile.html

this one is also nice for the lighter quartz. and it's a 2x8. perfect size comes in a 4x4 too

https://tilebar.com/montauk-sand-dune-2x8-ceramic-wall-tile.html

ivory

https://tilebar.com/lancaster-3x12-vanilla-ceramic-tile.html

I like this one too

https://tilebar.com/bohemian-brick-sand-clay-1-2x3-mosaic-tile.html

There are many ways to update an oak kitchen without painting the cabinets. Personally I don't like any of your counter options so far, but that's just me. Try googling "updating oak cabinets without painting" and you will find all kinds of pictures. Look at the ones you like to see what you find appealing. https://inbetweenchaos.com/2017/09/29/updating-a-90s-kitchen-without-painting-cabinets/

Here is a kitchen I recently completed with msi quartz. This is the calacatta, but the marbling is in a more silvery tone. The Valentin I posted above has more gold-tone veining. I think either would work in your home.

In any design, always start with inspiration photos and consider how the rest of your home looks (or how you want it to look in the future). Don't start with shopping at stores and brining home samples.

This house has warm tones throughout and you can see the silvers and greys and whites can work with warm tones.

Hope that helps.

@jhmarie Thanks for sharing your look book!

Thanks for all the great info. I think the best tip I received so far is that I’m going about this the wrong way by bringing home samples without having a vision of what I want to create. I don’t see exactly what I want but can pick different items and see how they would mesh. Once I get an idea I’ll be back for input.

@burtnyks, bravo! With some clarity of vision you can do great things in that space. Sometimes waiting, collecting, and analyzing your images is the bold choice. Don’t feel like you have to do it alone. Maybe ask others to show you their favorite honey oak kitchens and sort through those first.

@eam44 - My emails to you are not going thru - No decisions yet as I'm working on the architects drawings first. Hope you're making progress.

Hi @Design Girl! I tried to send you one too. It looked like your messaging was turned off, but I mean, things change daily here at Houzz! I am double checking my measurements today and making the call to order the cabinets. Huge step for me.... I hope all is well and I wish you patience. In the immortal words of Tom Petty, the waiting is the hardest part.

@eam44 - I got a message from you about your decent into appliance porn and laughed so hard I nearly fell off my chair. When I tried to respond, it would not go through. You are hysterical. I'm glad you're going to pull the plug. I'm sure it's going to look great whichever layout you landed on. I'll keep you posted in any way I can about my choices.

What about darkening up the stain of your cabinets? similar to the pic Freedomplace posted.

@Design Girl, I’m glad you found it funny. The minute I’d sent it I realized that some might find the reference offensive, but golly that oven was gorgeous.

I would start with the colors and effect you like. Some colors are going to be higher contrasting and some will subdue the stained oak cabinet colors. Here are great options to consider Kylie M Interiors Best Paint Colors To Go With Oak Or Wood

Also check out Champagne Bronze hardware on honey/oak cabinets. Warms it up, but it is not as yellow as gold or brass finishes are.