Cut off! Here’s a close up of existing counter. We don’t really like it - but it does tie the wood and floors well!

Beautiful wooded site! Glad you’re not painting the cabinets. No help here, but just wondering where you relocate the electric outlets after creating a single level peninsula.

Soapstone would look awesome! And maybe one of the hand made looking backsplash tiles in earth tone colors (think teracotta) This one is cool xoxo terracotta

I know you said floor is staying which I totally respect but you could probably float an engineered floor over it if you wanted to change the look - just a thought!

Please post after pics when you are done!

If the durability of granite appeals to you, take off one door and see if you can find River White. It’s not as “white white” as most quartz and has warm does of burgundy and browns. It sounds worse than it is.
Keeping a door in your trunk may help you make unplanned stops at countertop/stone places. You never know what might work.
If you have a piece of the flooring, take that with you.

No help either, but you have a great house.

thank you RedRyder! That's an option I'd like to see in person. The second photo you posted is particuarlly appealing, as it seems a little more muted. Maybe just the lighting. I have a spare tile, and I'll grab a cabinet door and take a look for it when I'm next able to get to one of the stone places in our area.

Flopsycat1 - the outlets have crossed my mind too. We don't use any of the ones on the penninsula, so our use isn't an issue. Not positive yet if there are some codes we need to factor in.

Cynthia - I will keep an eye out for soapstone when I'm browsing! Our last home was Spanish style and I used terra cotta there! I'll keep that in mind after we figure out the counter.

It looks like your countertops go well with your kitchen. The only thing we'd suggest looking at removing and updating would be the backsplash. The backsplash should be simple, so do a light cream or taupe color that goes with the countertops.

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Thanks Randy! That’s actually an option I’ve been seriously considering. The existing counter colors do coordinate well. While not my favorite stone, I think the new backslash could help.

One idea I’ve been considering is also taking the bar down lower and replacing it with wood. I think it may help reduce the amount of granite. But worried might create a hodge podge look? Any feedback on this would be appreciated. Someone else posted this idea a year or go on a forum and it didn’t seem to be well received.

I hope you are taking down that backsplash second tier. I inherited the same arrangement and when I refaced the kitchen and changed the countertop, I used one level and extended it out. I find it’s a great place for guests to sit and keep me company when I’m cooking. They’re out of my way but close enough to talk to.

I’ll find some before and after photos.

Here is the before.

Here is the after.

@RedRyder - yes! That’s a main objective here. I’d like to eliminate the bar. Your update is beautiful!

Just trying to decide if I truly replace all the counters…. Or try to have a carpenter fabricate a wood overhang. I’ve seen photos with the concept but admittedly many that I like are from very modern spaces and ours isn’t that.

Have you taken a door to the stone yards to see what will complement the cabinets? I would also ask if they have a piece of any stone you’re considering to bring home.

I am a big believer in “do it once, do it right” and just lowering the two tier area may not look as cohesive as all new counters will. I understand the difference in expense, but new countertops are a huge visual upgrade.

The color difference in your current countertop and the River White would dramatically change the kitchen.