I think it looks quite nice and really visually lightens the space - go for it!

Love the cow print, BTW! And your choice of stool with the cow.

Can you post a closer up pic of the wall side counters that you are keeping so we have a better idea of this two surfaces together?

Looks good

@kendrah

I know it’s a bit expense but I would spring for replacing all the counters. The new island is lovely.

@westcoast trust me, I'd love to, but we have just installed a pool this past summer and this is probably the last project we will do for awhile! My hus

My husband keeps reminding me our kids will be going to college in 5 years😩

I get it. Two of mine are in high school and one at university. I would still work on him a bit. You are already going to disrupt the kitchen by fixing the island. This could really make the space. And let’s be honest it’s going to cost far less than college 😂

I like the way you think!

Haha!! Thank you!

What you propose is a vast improvement. You can always tackle the perimeter surface at a later date. That really is a hulk of an island!

One looks at that island and cannot help but wonder what they were thinking. Were the perimeter cabs always white or painted to sell the home?

The two counters look so different to me that I don't love the combo. I think it is the polished and honed next to each other that aren't doing it for me. But, if they work for you, that is all that matters. The island is a stunning improvement.

Tell DH I'm on his side. Pool plus college? Money doesn't grow on trees!

What an improvement!! I am a fan of different counter on island and kitchen. That island is quite the statement. Any idea the thought process that created that?

Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment and for all the positive feedback!
Our current island was actually custom built — it was designed by a popular local architect back in the late ’90s, and at the time, it was the “it” piece in many high-end homes. The third tier was meant to function as a bar area for parties, but honestly, it’s my least favorite feature — I can hardly see over it! 😩
I’m sure it was beautiful in its day, but it’s definitely not functional for us now. I’m so looking forward to the clean simplicity of our new island!

Looks great - i often don’t love different counters in the same kitchen (just a me thing) - i’d do a wood top for the island and on the plus side it can be very cost effective

ONe more reason for architects to not design kitchens the new one is awesome and so functional.

The new island is a breath of fresh air! I am not so sure about a black countertop on it, which doesn't make sense to me with the earthy, gold granite perimeter. Could you do the island top in something... browner? Wood was suggested (yes), and I've seen some dark brown stones out there. Or a cream counter similar to the cabinet color.

@julies thank you for your input. I tried looking for a light quartz that would match, but only found ones with veining. I will continue to look.

Are there any you'd recommend?

My granite is similar to Venetian gold

Or Santa Cecilia

There are definitely quartz with no veining. Ours wouldn’t match as it has a speckle but no veins to be found.

I'm sorry, I don't have a specific quartz name but there are speckly yellow toned cream/beige ones out there, and maybe cheaper than the marble look ones that are popular - we chose such a countertop for our starter home when we moved out as it looked great with the fairly yellow LVP flooring throughout. I wouldn't fight the existing Santa Cecelia counters with a "fresh new" style island counter as it tends to make the old counters appear tired and dingy in comparison. It turns out better overall when you steer into the look of what's already there IMHO.

I assume that the footprint of the new one level island will be the same or larger than the existing island's footprint - otherwise, you will have a flooring issue.

Are you reconfiguring/modifying existing cabinets + having them painted OR are you purchasing new cabinets? Do you know the brand + name of the white paint on perimeter cabinets? How old are perimeter cabinets (paint color may have changed - you need to have a near perfect match between the island and perimeter white cabinets or it will be noticeable).

You can take one of your drawers with you to a paint store (like SW) in order to have them color match the white color.

A pretty walnut butcher block countertop would look nice on your white island.

Walnut is fairly expensive - however, you also can stain another wood to look like walnut + seal it (use cutting boards on the island - don't directly cut on the island unless it's finished with only food safe products).

Love that idea Julie!

My perimeter cabinets were recently painted as alabaster white

New Island will be fantastic at one level, and go as big as you can, but I would give yourself a bit more room between Refrigerator....42" if you can...looks like you could? and the honed black is a great option - it's forgiving, and with white cabinets a very good tie-in to the existing!

Thank you all for your input! Here's a pic of my granite. It does have black specks you can't see from the pictures.

Here is a mockup with quartz. I'm worried the slab would clash with the existing granite. I think honed black granite or a wood countertop would be best. Granite seems the safest of the two options. I'm going to look into both.

I would live with a temporary plywood top on the "new" island and start saving to replace all the counters at the same time. Don't limit your granite/quartz selection to only the few slabs that will go with your 1990 granite.

How thick should the island countertop be? I love the look of a thicker slab.

There are standards, inch and a half is rather typical. If you go super thick just be sure it doesn't appear top heavy. Having a different/ coordinating counter top on an island has become fairly typical. Personal preference in the end.

The look of a thick counter is a build up and miter. Concentrate on something more important, I find "thicker " annoying. the disparity between thicknesses a bit pretentious and a waste of time, energy.

Before I had a pool, I'd have eliminated the hi/low of upper perimeter cabinetry: ) but that's jmo.

I'd throw Corian ( dupont original, There are TON of whites, seams invisible ) in something that blends with my granite/ cabinet white. Wait it out for tops I wanted.

You can order large size samples of a half dozen absolutely plain white Dupont Corian ( not Corian quartz) online.

I think if you are going through all the expense and mess of a new island with a new countertop, consider the marginal cost of doing the perimeter countertops at the same time. If you want to get the kitchen out of the '90s, then replace the speckled granite at the same time. Use the same material as on the island--it may be less than you think.

Also most thick looking island countertops aren't the same thickness throughout. They are mitered on the ends so they look thicker.

Looks good to me. Your husband is right, college is expensive, been there. My only other comment is that I wouldn’t even think about a wood countertop as some have suggested. Had ours removed, looked terrible even after having it refinished, looks good when newly installed , however.