I like the middle one. its a statement piece, goes great with backsplash. i just got one like it called Bianco Antico

I agree…the middle stone, for sure..

I think soapstone or marble also.

I'd let the back splash go too...... nothing wrong with subway, but lighter grout : )

" I'd let the back splash go too "

May not have a choice as the substrate deck the tile is on will be coming out as well and the new tops will not be as thick as the substrate, thiset and tile most likely.

Yup, my first thought was soapstone or honed Jet Mist granite for a 100-year old home. If you want light countertops, go with Danby marble. Not a fan of speckly granite.

Agree with soapstone and getting rid of the backsplash. The dark grout is not attractive.

Definitely soapstone or honed black granite. No manmade materials and definitely no speckly granite - ever! Agree on upgrading the backsplash, which should be a modest expense given it's a small area. I'd stick to subway tiles, but do something handmade with more dimension/variability.

I think soapstone would be perfect and I agree the backsplash has to go . Have you looked at the green sapstone it can be quite nice .

Consider slate, as well - and they have a green that is luscious - unfading, durable, etc. and certainly period appropriate.

https://www.countertopspecialty.com/slate-countertops.html

High quality - DOMESTIC slate

are there no other granites you like? I'd be okay w ith some gray but maybe some coppery browns mixed in w the gray would warm things up a bit. I'd leave the backsplash/ look at a few other granites / spend on a great sink and faucet instead of a new backsplash. I'd insert butcher block to the right of the stove just cuz the warmth of wood w some warmer tones in a granite would appeal more to me. Otherwise I'd take the middle of the three you show.

100 year old home? None of the above. Go for soapstone or a honed finish on marble. Also make sure to have them undermount a nice sink for you. The subway is a great choice the grout color is not. A grout to match the tile color is the way to go here.

Thanks for all the comments! Unfortunately soapstone and marble are out of our price range. Right now, I’m leaning toward trying to lighten up the grout and going with a honed black quartz or granite so it’s not quite so sparkly/shiny.

Honed absolute black is really durable and also very cost effective. Leathered uba Tuba is also nice (which is surprising considering how over exposed we all were to Uba Tuba in the 90's) . There's also honed silver - gray:

https://marble-granites.com/silver-grey-granite/

Honed lower level granites can be durable, cost effective, and mimic higher cost (more popular) options.

If cost is a concern tile, stainless steal, butcher block or Formica are actually more appropriate for what an original 20s kitchen would have had even over soapstone or marble which were not common in the 20 average homes.

Because your kitchen is so small, I'd go with honed granite so you can set hot pots and pans on it without worry. (It's too bad soapstone isn't an option because it would be perfect.) Are you sure quartz isn't as expensive as soapstone?

I don't think that Formica was available in the 1920s, but I could be wrong. Even so, you could get one that would work.

If cost is a concern, I agree that butcher block would look great, but it's not good around water. Have you considered solid surfacing (AKA Corian)?

Honestly......... for the size of the kitchen, even a "more expensive" top material is going to be a negligible difference. Go to stone yard...look for a half slab leftover. Take a VERY accurate drawing of the kitchen layout with you. with ever inch of top and appliances accounted for.

Look for:

Honed Jet Mist granite

"Absolute Black"

better yet?

"American Soapstone" which indeed IS granite, and hard to tell from soapstone unless you touch it.

Divide the price delta between Something great and something 'Meh" by the number of years you will live with the result.

I bet it's less than 200 a year , if you stay seven years.

Plan to change the splash. By the time you try the "fix" ? That won't make you happy either, notably bottom edge.

I'm on record...... No to gray unless it's marble - sorry. Feels totally wrong . The kitchen is charming and deserves equal charm. .

Jan is right. I've seen plenty of remnants that were large enough to do your kitchen.

Soapstone or marble remnants would be my choice.

I found this honed black granite that looks soapstone-ish to me! And will be fixing the backsplash to have a light grout. Thanks all!!