Can you take a photo with the samples at the cabinets for a better idea of how they all appear together?

What are the two gray strips samples of? If I may suggest, since your island is massive, I would suggest a different counter material for the island. Your kitchen may look like a sea of granite, so how about a hone leather look quartz for the island and the granite on the perimeter, or vice versa? The backsplash and granite look a little busy to me. So, how about the island granite, then the perimeter counter a more uniform or solid surface?

I see what you mean about the island maybe being too busy. We thought about doing that granite on the perimeter and then a solid color for the island or even butcher block. the two strips are paint colors

misdemeanor are these the pics you mean? don't mind the dog nose lol

ugh now I don't think i like the counter color with the cabinets. i feel like giving up !

ikottw..on my screen your counter and cabinet color look darn good together!

It's this a single story house? If so, I would suggest Lighting. You can do, fairly easy, under cabinet LED. By adding some up Light LED above the cabinets you can visually extend the ceiling. Also, assuming this is a single story house, have you considered a Daylight Light Fixture. This can be a semi flush Mount, or pendants, over the kitchen Island. A Daylight Light Fixture, would give you natural sun light during the day, and also secondary, energy efficient LED Lighting for day/night use.

I like the counter with your cabinets. Not so much the backsplash, to me looks too busy with counter.

I agree with condomary. Perhaps something more subtle with the backsplash.

agree with condomary... The mutli color slate backsplash is a bit much.. You should condsider trying to find a ledger stone for the backsplash. or consider travertine. the ledger stone will probably be pricey . The travertine will run around $4 a sq. ft which is a good price for the aesthetic. The travertine will give you that rustic yet modern look as well if cut in the right dimensions. ( 1"x2" , 2"x4", 3"x6" and so on).

Yes, that is what isn't working for me - the busy backsplash with the granite. If you love the stone look, I'd go for a neutral cream with a lot less contrast. Maybe something like this?

solar - it is not a single story. we already have the under cabinet and on top of cabinet lighting, which looks good. And the track lighting above the island also has to go. thank you for the links on the lights. i will look into that!
Lockman - thank you for your insight. I'm not familiar with ledger stone or travertine (newbie diy-er) but i will definitely look into that thank you!
Darzy - thank you for that picture. I do really like the stone look and that with less contrast would make more sense with that counter

Just a thought, although I love the look of the both example of back splashes the second would be very difficult to clean. I would go with your choice of slate for the back splash and put the granite on the island as Darzy suggested.

I'm going to dissent here and say I don't like the countertop material with the cabinets. It's really busy, and you said you want rustic modern. This countertop definitely takes the modern aspect out of this particular kitchen. I prefer the backsplash to the countertop.


This is soapstone but darker could look great:

http://houzz.com/photos/5280741