I like one granite with 2 cabinet colors or 2 counter colors with one cabinet color. I think it gets a little busy when both are switched, but I imagine you'll get lots of varied opinions.

I have done cabinets in different colors and it can look good if its done right, the last project i did was a shaker style cabinets with antique white finish on all the cabinets and a red stain on the Island and it looks great. I don't recommend using different counter tops though.

Thank you to both of you! That picture looks beautiful--I love the red trim by the window. If I do two different cabinets, do they have to be the same style? i.e. can one be a shaker and the other something else? Or do they have to be the same style?

I think I like the idea of the same style unless you are using a unique furniture piece for the island.

I've seen blended looks of white painted shaker and dark distressed walnut raised panel with heavy detail and it looks great, I like the blended look of modern and traditional, it has to be done right or it will look way wrong.

Here are the cabinets I am thinking of mixing. Are they too different?

The white ones are shaker doors. The dark ones have grooves in them

Not at all, great choice but be subtle with the darker color.

Don't understand what you mean by be subtle with the darker color....so you think I can mix these two?

I think that those cabinets will look fine together. Mixing granites, however, is very difficult, if not impossible because there is too much pattern in real stone and they will fight each other. To differentiate, however, think about using a polished and a honed (or other similar finish) using the same granite. The other way to mix countertops is to go with a stone on one and a solid quartz on the other. If you do this, I would tend to use the granite on the island, especially if there is a lot of movement in the color you select, and the quartz on the perimeter.

kstims, you are obviously going for a fairly modern look. If anything, I think the cabinets might be a bit too close (but no cigar, possibly). Does the wenge come in a flat panel door? I still think you can use them together, though. Are the borders pretty close to the same size? That would be the part I don't think you would want to be too far off if the wall and base cabinets line up, size for size, in some areas. This is really splitting hairs, though - I think they will look fine. Just pointing out the possible negatives.

Yes I think you can mix the two, what I mean by subtle is just use the darker color as an accent on an island or opposite wall or the lower cabinets, I would put the white as the dominant color.

Yes, that is what I am worried about. I don't want it to look like I am trying too hard. I am wondering if maybe it should be either exactly the same or very obviously contrasting, like what Underwood Painting wrote "blended looks of white painted shaker and dark distressed walnut raised panel with heavy detail". I am wondering where I could get that kind of distressed look cabinet that is not too expensive.

That would be custom built cabinets with a custom finish, we do custom built cabinets and can match any finish.

So you would go more traditional than modern with the dark cabinets? That shouldn't be hard to do. Every cabinet company is going to have that. You don't have to go with an actual walnut wood/veneer - you can just go with a darker stain on another wood. Are you looking at a particular mfr. or just at style right now?

Anna Balso, your kitchen looks beautiful. I am looking for a more modern look like that...but I see what you mean about it looking more similar and less busy. Especially with a more crowded kitchen, which I have. Thank you, everyone, for your input!

we are having our cabinet installed in January and did white wall cabinets and brown base cabinets. We went with the same counter top for the whole kitchen but I have seen wood counter tops for islands. I think you have to be careful as things might get to "busy" looking.

Anna, I love that look, it will never get old or boring. Great choice

Thank you! It wasnt easy... Renos extended to our living room as we removed the dividing wall... Added patio door to our back yard creating a galley kitchen and replaced existing back door in staircase with large window. Extended renos to back yard...a year later today... Finished painting last week. Now taking a break to complete living room lounge... Exausting... But rewarding... All DIY!!! Furniture selection is too hard for me now....can you say break time lol!

I will eventually create an idea book with before after during etc.... New discussion for next phase.... Houzz is amazing for ideas!!!! Creative !!!!

I struggled with the color choice too, but got a decorator who helped pick some great colors! I love the calming feeling of my kitchen...we are moving back in this weekend after having gutted and replaced everything to modernize a 30 yr old kitchen disaster...and having a good time! Will post more in before and after later