It would be helpful if you post pics of these countertop options and paint options, etc. Although, there may be some folks who will spend time googling and researching what you’ve listed. Also, pics of the actual kitchen would be helpful, as well.

Here's a photo of the kitchen in the model.

I like that viatera encore. it reminds me of super white dolomite. I'm also building, using a developer who makes you choose from their limited choices. We ended up using his free builder grade on flooring and counters and instead of paying for his 'upgrades' to get what we want, we will be bringing in our own counters and floors after closing.

@SJ Allison

"Btw, the paint options are limited too, so opinions would be appreciated! (I’d prefer not to have to paint after closing.) "

I'm not any help with your color choices. But having to paint soon after moving in can be a real thing,

If they're charging you extra to get a different white, I would be wary that they're using a cheap contractor grade of paint. It will feel like chalk, won't wash or touch up, and will need all new paint in a year!

Example: If the paint has to be Sherwin Williams, I would pay the upgrade to get the best your budget will allow. (For walls, maybe Emerald or Cashmere. Bathrooms - ?)

The only way to know is to check the TDS sheet for each paint, including the sheen. You will also want a separate coat (or 2) or primer, and at least 2 coats of paint, with all the details in writing! Labor is the most expensive part of painting. I don't understand trying to save on the product.

Hopefully, someone who likes SW paint will post their thoughts.

what counters are in the model?

@Victoria I don't know; I don't care for them, so I haven't asked.

I like the Ironbridge best

ironbridge looks fine. I'd pick that. Quartet is 2nd pick.

I would ask about staining with the countertops. Lots of people posting about their white/gray countertops that have stained. I prefer a countertop with a small to medium pattern that is consistent rather than large veining.

As I stood back and looked at my glass setting on my newly installed and paid for solid surface counter tops in my kitchen, I said to myself, "Self, you know a plastic laminate countertop could hold that glass just as well as that solid surface countertop at one quarter the cost. I could replace the plastic laminate countertop with another plastic laminate countertop three time before I spent as much money as I did on this solid surface countertop."

But my wife was happy and that is what counts, I guess.

I too like Sugar White for the reasons Diana Bier said. I also like Cambria Ella if you want a bit of pattern. I would stay away from too much gray.

I also like Sugar White because it isn't pretending to be something else. Also it has a bit of a retro vibe, kind of like the vibe that the boomerang pattern in laminate gives.

Sugar white - it won't age like the "trying to be something it's not" grouping. and you can take it ANYWHERE with your decor.

Agree with Sugar White.

you mentionned these were a cluster from all the avail choices. If there are more choices why dont you post them/....counters are expensive ....I'd be insecure about sugar white standing the test of time ...and I'd want to avoid pulling it. its okay..... but with counters if there is something that gives a little more into the space I think you should consider possibilities of a wide range.....

I think the Ironsbridge has a classic look and would stand the test of time. It’s understated, simple, and just fits anywhere. The Viatera Quartet is also nice - but I would not want it everywhere. So if there were an option to do a mix - I would consider doing the plain, white, Cotton White on the overall counters, and the Quartet on the island - to mix it up and lend some visual interest. You could do similar with the Brittannica, just on the island - if you like a more dramatic look. Or the Cambria Ella, just on the island - for more subtle drama. And, imo, having the Cambria Ella just on the island could possibly give you a pretty realistic look - in terms of a veined marble look surface. The Ironsbridge I would just use throughout, if I chose that one - i.e. on all the counters, plus island.

IMO choose the plastic counter that tries the least to look like real stone so probably the Sugar White it does not pretend to be anything other than what it is. As for wll colr once you know the counter then choose the best with that choice

Yes, the Sugar White looks a bit like terrazzo!

I'll put a vote in for the cotton white. I did Corian Glacier White (also a solid white) a couple years ago and love it, so I may be biased there. Some people want the counter to be the star of the show, but I have wall art and a striking color of wall paint so I really just wanted the counter to say as little as possible. The Sugar White is nice too; it will look solid from a distance but offers a bit more visual interest up close. I think with the texture and accent colors you are talking about using, a solid-ish white counter could be just the ticket.

Of the ones that seem to be trying to mimic stone, I like the Ironsbridge the best. To my eye, Cambria Brittanicca and Ella don't look anything like real stone while clearly trying to evoke marble, and I really dislike them as a result (apologies to the many people on these boards who like them and chose them). In general, I don't really like the marble-look quartzes that have been so popular for the last few years (I was surprised to see so many respondents echo my feeling on that; I thought I was the only one and have just been keeping my mouth shut on the subject).

Do you have access to physical cabinet and counter samples? I would definitely want to see the counter samples up against the cabinet color before committing. Competing whites can bring out the worst in each other.

Sugar white

Ironbridge or Ella.

It's a no-brainer...Sugar White.

I like the Sugar White, it's a terrazzo like pattern. It's not trying to look like something quarried out of the ground.

@cawaps I ordered samples of all the quartz; I still need to look for a local retailer who carries the cabinets. I'll definitely make sure all whites have the same undertone. Thanks for the advice!

@herbflavor I really don't like the rest of the choices. Most are very colorful and blotchy (i.e., super dated looking) or too veiny (I'm not a marble person). I really just want plain gray concrete, but they don't offer anything like that.

Planning on white tile backsplash—whichever one looks good with the countertops and cabinets. (There aren’t many options.)

SJ, do you HAVE to put in a backsplash tile? white subway tile is so overdone, especially the 3x6 version. If they ahve a hand made look in a 2x8 or 2x10 like this, great

But if you must choose some cheap 3x6 tile that they're prob upcharging you for, I'd wait. backsplash tile is not mandatory for a kitchen. tell them you don't want it.

if they offer you the 4" countertop piece, tell them you don't want that either. (although, it's easy enough to pry off the wall after you move in)

So white cabs, white tile, white countertop and white walls?? really? That is a whole lot of white.

I think I like the Sugar option since you say you're coastal. With that I'd bring in some other tile splash that takes advantage of the beach look:

that white tile above also comes in this color. This is very pretty. (bring in your own hardware after you move in. I'm sure they will upcharge the crap out of you to put in their version)

With all that white, you really need some color. if you can't get color in the countertop, then please hold off on your backsplash selection

Countertop is Brittanica w/a soft blue subway

Brittanica Matte finish w/a thinner, glossier subway tile. also notice the black countertop, the black pendants, bluegray island and all of the wood accents in the kitchen to keep it from look too blah.

marble herringbone backsplash. light oak floors, marble quartz.

Viatera w/a gray tile splash

Might look pretty with this marble and glass tile splash.

Here's the sugar white.

it's rather simple. if you pair this w/a plain white tile, it's going to look like a surgical room.

Ironsbridge

There is an upcharge for wall paint? Because they have to tape off the trim to paint the walls a diff color, rather than going in there and painting all one color? That is so cheap! they're going to charge you more for a diff wall color (and why are they only giving you white colors?)

The sheens should be diff. trim should be a satin or semi, and the walls an eggshell. Do you know what they're choosing for those?

I like Sugar White first, and Ironsbridge second. I think Sugar White will last longer as a “modern” countertop because it’s kind of like terrazzo and retro. Easy to keep clean with that pattern too.

If you like a beachy vibe, don’t get the backsplash and ask for a credit. Have them just paint it and then you can come back here when the house is done and we can help you find a “beachy vibe” backsplash. (I’m thinking a cool blue tile would be gorgeous.)

If they install a backsplash you don’t like, it’s a pain to remove. Having it tiled later on will be worth it.

I am not great at suggesting paint colors so I’ll let others help you with that.

@RedRyder Those are my two favorites countertops too. We do NOT have to get the backsplash. Thanks for your advice!

@Beth H. :I don't know how I missed your answer earlier. Thanks so much for all the advice and the photos! I finally received the quartz samples today. I love the Sugar White, but I won't know if it will go with the available white cabinets until the day I have to make my decision. Quartet, Brittannica, and Ironsbridge are my backup plans.

"Subtle" may stand the test of time better.

We see patterned slabs similar to Britannica shipping from the slab showroom next door daily is seems so my concern would be its says "2022"

These are your choices for your kitchen, correct? Are you also using the same counter tops in baths? Same cabinet style for the vanities in your baths? Just asking. Also, if you follow Beth’s advice, note that if you go for the most inexpensive pulls or knobs that your builder provides, note that if you decide to change them later, you need to replicate the hole configuration. Don’t go with cheap knobs and then upgrade to pulls with two holes. (I know I am asserting the obvious here, but with all the choices you need to make…understand that you are committing to a hole configuration when you choose.)

Followup! I received my sample of Sugar White (aka Iceberg) and just want to make sure it will work with white cabinets and white backsplash. I think it has an off-white undertone, but I'm second-guessing myself because I realized the designer for the model home used it with cream cabinets. First photo was taken indoors (with white tile). Second photo outdoors. Third photo is the model with glazed cream cabinet. (Not cute IMO.)

Honestly you don't need to know how it looks outside, you just need to know how it will look in the room it's going in under those lighting conditions. And if there is natural light sometimes and artificial lighting at others it won't look 100% the same under both. Do you have it against the actual cabinets in a photo? To me it looks a little white with the cream cabinet.

I think it will work with the white cabinets.

@Primel Palim Palim I was just trying to get a decent photo of the colors. I am on the west coast and the house will be on the east coast but doesn't exist yet. I have to make all decisions without knowing what the light is or what the cabinet colors are.

@ptreckel Yes, I'm planning to carry the same countertops and cabinets throughout. No hardware until after closing.

@RedRyder Thanks! :-)

I think it looks great with the tile and the white cabinets. The cream cabinets not so much.

Agree with @Diana Bier Interiors, LLC. I think your items are going to look much better than the cream cabinets from the picture.

Sugar White counters and white cabinets

It’s hard to make these decisions from across the country, but I think that countertop will work with white. Next to the cream vanity, it makes it easier to see how white it actually is.

Very exciting for you to get a new home!