It is a beautiful stone, but I think it is too white and has too much movement.

Before I selected a countertop, I'd have a marble professional come in and address the poor quality of your flooring. The color might be completely different.

I think your selection of countertop is too cool and white to work with the floor and the cabinets.

This is not the most optimal combination, but you can try. Show the entire kitchen and adjacent rooms that are visible. The main problem of this combination is not only too white, but also the equally active texture (pattern), which argue with each other. Therefore, the volume of materials and their location are very important. The apron must be replaced - such countertops will need a side made of the same material as the countertops. And then select material for the apron with the same white base. An even better option would be if the entire apron was made like the countertops. But, I repeat, you need to see the entire space.

And specifically for the tabletop material shown, I would recommend a different type of edge - less rounded (to visually combine with the clear geometric pattern of travertine on the floor).

Here’s more pictures of the full space. We’re going to reconfigure the island slightly to square off the end that’s currently rounded.

Beverly - I’d love to better understand what you mean by poor quality of flooring? Certainly the color/style is not to everyone’s preference (even mine) but I wouldn’t call it a quality issue…

Sean, what kind of new countertop shape do you want? Do you have a sketch? Of course, you would be better off doing something more concise than now. And considering the new photos, I’ll probably support your choice - such material will greatly refresh the space, but some conditions are needed to fit it well. And this combination will not be too traditional and familiar - you need to be prepared for this.

Also, Sean, this tabletop should be paired with a different, cooler/neutral lighting temperature. Now the yellowish light makes the countertop look dirty. And if you are ready, then it’s worth starting with the selection and replacement of lighting.

Although I'm sure the floor has been washed, your floors are scratched, etched and dull. Marble floors require restoration from time to time.

Of course, this is quite approximate, but you can get a general idea of what it will look like.

Here the tabletop material is whiter than in your photo of the sample (this is related to the question of temperature and lighting brightness)

Love your floor and the space is so charming! The floor commands much of the attention in the space which is a done deal. So I wouldn't look to have a different countertop style that doesn't mesh with the color ambiance going on (the white/grey just seems off with being cool toned). Consider looking at solid surface options, deep grey for example, for countertop as a deeper color from floor. That would give you better options to do the backsplash (more visible) in something that truly compliments both flooring and cabinets.

you can find whites without the gray veining. I prefer the creaminess of the upholstery on dining chairs ..thats a nice tone w floors....saying that the white of the walls is working fine and keeps things light in your space. so if you want pure white maybe w very fine tone on tone whites and creams....i think its a matter of browsing and looking at the different materials and finding the few that will work. Gray veins would be the least desirable but okay to work w various whites and creams...that 's a big range of possibilities.

if you are certain the floor and cabinets will not be replaced /changed , you may find granite that works.....there are so many with warmth of tone I'd look seriously for a gorgeous stone.....the top you have altho okay doesnt have much interest and I dont find the floor all that busy...it's a pattern yes but simple and the tones are few . go to a stone yard .

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I like the sample on the existing counter, but I wouldn't like it with the floor. Try putting sample on the floor...too white?

No, your choice is much to "stark" and "cool" for the warm toned floors you have. If you are keeping your flooring, that will dictate your choice of counters and that quartz you have chosen does not compliment your flooring.

IMO what you have is perfect with those floors why do you want fake stone on the counter with real on the floor.Maybe a nice cream granite and check to make sure all your lighting is upgraded too > I like LED 4000K but you could do 3500K in thta space .

The floor and the cabinets are limiting what color/pattern counter top you can pair with them. Unless you're going to change the flooring (which would be the first thing that I would do), then try to find something in a beige/brown/tan colorway. Or just leave it as is and save up for a more comprehensive remodel.

Try Caaesarstone Taj Royale, https://www.caesarstoneus.com/countertops/5212-taj-royale/

Silestone by Cosentino has some nice warm colors that may work with your cabinets and flooring. Brass Relish, Coral Clay, Rougui and Blanco City might work:

https://www.cosentino.com/colors/

I’d leave your creamy backsplash as it suits the wood tone and especially the flooring and is a classic/simple choice. Reference when bringing home counter samples.

If you add cutting boards, they will help pull in the cabinetry and the darker parts in the flooring.

FYI The cabinets are not oak, They look like maple.

A medium to dark gray countertop will work best with the floors.

The marble-look quartz has been trending for 10 years now, but that doesn't mean that it belongs in your kitchen with the fixed elements you want to keep. It will not "update" your kitchen.

I would find a cream Corian or quartz that matches the backsplash. It will lighten the kitchen, but still make it look like it might have been part of the original design.

Is this a 1960's modern ranch in CA?

We also have travertine in a second home and chose to replace the very dark brown, copper, and black granite with Taj Mahal quartzite.

The floors do need a professional cleaning.

Looking at the photos of your entire kitchen, your house already reads very light and sunny, with the darker kitchen tones just a nice balance, not oppressive.

So, I wouldn't change either your counters or your backsplash. Your counters read as a solid brown which, given the floor, is preferable to a more highly patterned granite or quartz that would compete with your floor. I don't see how a solid gray counter would be an improvement over the existing brown. Cream would also be my suggestion if you are just over the counter.

Maybe as suggested above, have the floors 'brought back to life' and enjoy your lovely space.

Definitely clean/refresh the floors first before making any other design decisions.

It can be complicated getting advice from strangers, but it can also help you see the things you are missing.

Several folks have pointed out that your floors need cleaning. What they mean is that the floors need to be polished by a stone floor restorer. Depending on the size of the space and your location, this will cost you $2-3K. Without polishing you don’t know the color of your floors, and your floors are driving every other decision you will make.

The other thing that I see is that you may already have the right counter top. Whoever chose those floors made a decent selection.

Whenever the right choice is brown, you should reconsider the decisions that got you there, but there you are. White counters will make your floors look yellow. Herbflavor‘s suggestion of cream will lessen that effect by making your whole space more yellow. Bottom line, Beverly and chispa are right, address the floors first.

You need creamy, warm tones, NOT grey. Not grey anything, and not cool-toned. You should be able to find something creamy without too much trouble. I've seen beautiful creamy-white stones with caramel veining -- don't know names, sorry.

Another option would be to go with Travertine counters, but they will need to be sealed and have similar maintenance to marble.

I had Travertine counters in the bathroom of my guest house, which didn't get that much use, but I never babied them either.

I’d go with something slightly warmer and I’d stay away from anything too patterned since your floor has a lot of movement. Here’s a couple of selection that might work for you.

You mentioned squaring off the island. Did you mean the cabinets or just the top? If the island footprint will be different (smaller / different spot) then you need to consider whether your flooring goes under your cabinets. If not, you may need to patch and matching will be hard. If the flooring is there, then it may look a different color than the rest of the floor that has been exposed. Hopefully the pro cleaning will shed some light on this.

Good choice to wait since you just moved in. My personal opinion is that the current countertops are perfect for the kitchen as it already is. If youre considering changing the shape of the island, youd need to check to see if the travertine is installed under the portions of the island which will end up exposed. The one change I would make is to change the current island color, which is way too stark of a white, to the creamy color of the dining room chair upholstery, as someone else mentioned above,

Take one door off and put it in your car. If you have any of the tiles in the house 🤞🏻, put it in your car. Shopping “from memory” is hard. You’ll be prepared if you see a sign for countertops when driving around.

Have you looked at Silestone? They may have a perfect creamy color. Or Corian? Even Formica is 100 times nicer than you remember. Lots of options to make sure you get a great match for your cabinets and floor.

The color of the floor will always restrict your choices.

You have SO MUCH pattern going on with the floors, cabs and backsplash that if you get a countertop with veining, it will just look crazy with the criss crossing floor pattern, the cabinet details and the backsplash pattern. The only reason the current countertops look OK is that the pattern is tiny enough to not register as a pattern and your eyes get to rest on it a bit. You have a pattern problem more than a color problem.

What about a Crema Marfil marble counter or a similar quartz counter?

I'd do it in a honed/sueded finish rather than polished.

Shaun - what did you decide on the countertops and backsplash? I too have high gloss travertine flooring with similar cabinets and countertop as yours. Looking to update my kitchen with new countertops and backsplash. Would love to see what you selected. Thanks.