Really hard to see the pics .... what color are your stools? That will make a big difference.

I don't own any stools, because the counter is incredibly high and this is just a temporary loft.

None of these work for me particularly but if I had to choose it would be the glass green. I would add wood like your cabinet or an aluminium or stainless steel instead.

None work for me either, I was trying to put lipstick on a pig. I just hate the bottom left two colors most definitely .... How would you add wood?

Add tin panels. Silver, metallic, bronze, copper and more colors
http://www.homedepot.com/s/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?keyword=tin+backsplash&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=SEARCH%2bALL

I like the top left, but if it's temporary enough to justify not buying barstools, why bother painting it?

Temporary as in, until February. Only two people live here- and I'd probably need to buy at LEAST 6 stools for such a ridiculously large island. My rent is already 3k a month ..I'm in school I think 6 stools would be well over $1000 However, I do have to look at it everyday so I'd like to paint it.

And I agree, I like the top left. but is it too dark?

For me the best is the grey if paint is your only option or the white

Thank you

Hi Kelsey if you want to add wood you can use wood veneer

What's really throwing things off is the color of the walls.

I would go with the glass green and paint the walls the same.

I think the darker the color the better, what type of flooring do you have?

I think most of those colors don't look right because there isn't enough contrast between them and the other walls. The top left provides a lot of contrast with the other walls so it stands out and makes more of a statement. I don't think it's too dark with all the light in your loft.

If painting, I think a lighter or darker color than the wall color, (can't see wall color) but.. light enough in color in relationship to the dark flooring. I would paint a color that is not too close to the saturation of floor color. I would want to see enough of a contrast with the floor. I think I like the saturation of color and the feeling of the gray one at the left bottom of the pics. If the contrast is too much, it becomes too focal. (white or real light color is too focal)

I like the top left too.

The only one I like is the white. How about matching the cabinets and pulling out one of the colours from the painting like burnt orange? Or a bold wallpaper with some orange from the painting.

WOW I went to send in my essay to my professor and came back to SO MANY suggestions, Thank you all!
LB Interiors, I would add panels but it's too much $ I looked at the site( I love them all ), and I don't have tools etc etc.
Jacob, Good question, I wish I knew what type of floors I had also so I could clean them correctly ( the office says bamboo but I'm not convinced)
and As for Orange, I just can't I live in the city and it's really modern, Orange is exhausted. I think I will Prime it with white and see if I like the light shade, if I don't I will go with the top left.

LB yes, It will be the focal if it's plain white and I want that Huge island to somehow disappear lol but it's not working. I will try light grey and then dark grey ( with blue undertones)

I would use a midtone color :) That a lots of painting :)

Not sure if you like these. May work with the floor and the cabinets. I don't like to suggest color from computer to actual. They can be so different in actuality.

This is a super light green I started today.

Whatever color you choose, I think the same or lights and darks of that color palette needs to be repeated in the room to make everything connect. Used again in accessories or art, or furniture.

A high gloss finish in whatever color you decide, may fit the design aesthetics best.