A kitchen designer likely won’t do that as they’re money is made in actually designing a kitchen and possibly then selling you the cabinets. But an interior designer might? Maybe an interior decorator? Honestly, you can do this yourself... or ask someone at a kitchen / bath showroom to help. Most people in your situation post on here and gets loads of opinions for free. ;)

Yes, then I am likely meaning an interior designer/decorator...

Obviously getting nowhere attempting to do it solo, lol.

I suggest you make some phone calls to a variety of different businesses in your area--interior decorators, flooring, tile places. Tell them what you need and see what they say. The decorator may have a flat fee option, the other businesses may have someone on staff if you buy there or they may have names to recommend. Do you already have the cabinets?

You don’t need a designer/decorator to pick out your floor. Do you want to stand on hard tile, or wood? What’s the flooring in the rest of the house?

If you’re doing a wood floor, your contractor should be able to help you with that. Any contractor worth his salt, will have a wood flooring guy to recommend. Ours did. And, it was our contractor who mixed stain colors on white oak samples, for us to choose from.

Our contractor also gave us the names of a few tile places to go, to find tile floors for the bathrooms, and laundry/mud room.

As for counters, if it’s granite, marble, quartzite or engineered stone you want, your contractor should be able to give you the names of stone yards he deals with. Ours gave us a list of ten stone yards, all within 30 minutes from our home. This was for our bathrooms and laundry/mud room. For the kitchen, we knew we wanted soapstone. After some years of research, we knew to purchase from a soapstone specialist only, and so for that, we went to M. Teixeira, the largest soapstone dealer in the US.

Backsplash is the last element of a kitchen to select, and its best done after everything else is installed. Again, ask your contractor for tile stores he deals with. Or, Google for locations near you.

You‘re going to have to put in the legwork, to get the colors and textural elements YOU like...not those a potential “decorator” might favor.

Again, your contractor should be able to help with a lot of this...and, his contacts with these businesses might get you a discount. Ours did.

LOL, yes darbuka. I have been to multiple resources and am about 4-6 months into this - still in planning phase - trying to decide flooring. I'll think I have a direction in mind, then will hear opinions to the contrary, and second guess choices. There is existing wood in other areas. Wood is not on the table. Only replacing existing tile in entry, hallway and kitchen for an updated, lighter look. New countertops, new backsplash. Everything else - cabinets, appliances, sink and faucet staying same. Hence, options are somewhat limited.

Okay, so are you having trouble determining the look you are after? If you haven’t done this already, I’d peruse Houzz photos and create some ideabooks of kitchens that appeal to you. Try to determine what it is that is similar among all those pictures. Then, stick to your guns and try to find similar tile, countertops, etc that complete those looks. People will definitely give you opinions, but you have to weed through that and determine what is best for YOU. Not the designer, contractor or salesperson. If you are replacing tile with tile, then only look at tile and so on and so forth.

Right. Exactly what I have been doing. Then hearing you don't want to do that, it's dated. LOL!

Have you been reading in the kitchen forum for long? If not, go back and read some of the old threads. Many people have been disappointed by choices that didn't really go together in terms of color and/or pattern. Eventually you'll have to commit to one choice, be it floor or countertop. Then make sure the other material works with it. Try to get a big enough sample to judge from, not just a little 2" piece. And bring the pieces home to make sure they work with your cabinets. And in your light.

Meg 's suggestion is good. Collect pictures of what appeals to you and choose from there.

Yes. The color choices GO together, but it's been around for awhile. Mid-tones maple cabinets. Neutral limestone or stone look porcelain 12x24 tile. Taj Mahal countertop. Cream colored matte glass tile backsplash. Or similar handmade tile look. Existing kitchen shown in first pic. The second pic is only one example of the only look that I can see working with the existing cabinets. I have several other pics like that one in different price points, but that is probably closest to the existing kitchen.

Of course will change hardware, etc.

From the little bit you shared, I like your kitchen. I think Taj counters would look great with your Cabinets. I’d take a door with you to the stone yard And place it in front of the slabs you like. Like what you see? Go for it. I don’t even think you need to change your hardware. If you go with Taj counters, I’d keep it simple and get a subway or square tile that you like in a white / cream that goes with the quartzite.

Thanks megs! Yes, those were somewhat easy decisions compared to my main problem of what to do with the flooring. I was thinking neutral limestone (don't really want the upkeep) or neutral stone look porcelain - but that's where I was getting the most negative feedback of it being outdated.

Perfect, JuneKnow - you're hired! 😊

That is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

I suggest putting together an idea board with all of your choices. I think the pictures on Pinterest are better than the pictures on Houzz. Personal choice. Start with making a list of the items that you still need. Start looking at pictures. Once you find a direction for an idea, you can ask around here for additional sources.

Crowd sourcing can be frustrating, but I've seen some very patient people on this site work their way into a wonderful result. Lots of false starts, but good advice buried in the threads.

If that seems too daunting, search for Flo Mangan on this site. She has a presence at Houzz. You can find her in the decorating threads. She works with a lot of people who come here. She works remotely. She is a professional. She is reasonably priced. She does all types of design. A consult over the phone and I am certain that your issues will be identified and resolved.

Thanks, homechef. I'm somewhat ahead of all that. I do have a collection of photos, as well as, a collection of samples here at the house. Just needing someone to point me in the right direction and give the kick. I know of Flo, seen many of her comments on posts. I will reach out. I have someone coming in tomorrow, but remote guidance may be the best thing for me at this point.