I too was amused by that thread so I've been asking around and it seems like Quartz is the way to in my parts.

"the way to GO in my parts" ha ha

Amen Adivra.

I've seen some really good looking laminates, corian, soapstone, concrete, quartz, marble and granite. I like what advira said about being judged by the décor police. Get what you like the most. We looked at quartz, corian and granite when we were redoing our kitchen. We decided on granite because it's what WE liked best. I like the fact that no two slabs are alike and the fact that our counters will not look just like anyone else's. Pick what YOU like, not what everybody tells you to pick.

When we renovated our new to us home 6 years ago, we chose butcher block countertops, after living with a combo of butcher block & cheap laminate in a previous condo for 4 years. I really love the butcher block- it's easy for us to maintain (wipe up spills soon, oil a couple times a year) & it's soft on our dishes. I found any stone product (granite, soap stone, marble, etc) to be too loud when setting dishes down.

I don't cut on my counters (that's what a cutting board is for) and I have to use trivets for hot pots. No big deal for me.

Depends on your budget. My favorites are natural quartzite, soapstone and quartz.

Granite is still desired. Every person that came to my home when I was selling wanted granite. Regardless of what everyone else thinks is in, I would still prefer granite.

Granite is beautiful. But it also be gaudy. These days I tend to recommend quartz to clients - so many colours and patterns from which to choose. The nicest granites are also the most expensive. Lower priced granites tend to be rather boring and also you see them everywhere. With quartz, even if they love marble, there is even quartz that looks just like the natural stone. But without the headache of sealing or fear of breakage. I cringe when I see a beautiful kitchen with awful looking granite thinking of how much the owner spent just to have "granite". My two cents from Montreal!

I am leaning toward quartz for outer counters and the island to be butcher block.

Where will the sink be located? If I were starting fresh, I'd go with quartzite on my island and calmer quartz on my perimeter. Possibly with a small butcher block section.
[houzz=]

I love my granite. It's visually interesting and can be toned down depending on your backsplash. My granite is mostly white and grey with sparkly specs.

Granite is a good durable surface but usually quite dark or busy to the eye. Quartz comes in lighter tones. So I think it all depends on the style of your home and the type of cabinets being used.

J Design Group, Modern Interior Design Firm in Miami, Florida. http://www.JDesignGroup.com

I love quartz! But quartzite is also beautiful and natural....so many choices! Both quartz and quartzite are pricier than most of the granites we looked at, but that is my splurge:)

We redid our kitchen last summer and put in quartz. After living with it for almost a year, we are still really happy with it and would choose it again. I have nothing against granite, we were just going for more of a modern look.

I saw some recycled glass countertops recently at a home show. They are lovely and if I were in the market, I'd seriously consider them. [houzz=]

How about stainless steel?

Husband would not go for stainless steel, but that recycled glass is beautiful.