Hi! I would like to get some opinions on our kitchen remodel. I

purpleflowers :
3rd image for the win!

purpleflowers: I'd go with the light countertops and all recessed lighting.

purpleflowers :
I like the 3rd one best too.

purpleflowers : If you like #3 best, I would DEFINITELY go with it, but if it is the price that you are basing it on, I'd say either look further until you find something affordable that you really like, or go with the one you like best even if it is pricier, and wait to buy the other stuff that is changeable until later with the money you put into your countertop. This countertop is going to be around a loooong time!

purpleflowers:
Wait a minute! Is this your house that you are reselling? Now I understand your price consideration. Heavy veining as in #3 is very popular right now, so that could be good! But the thing that makes that good, also makes it bad. Being trendy is more like to get dated looking quicker. I personally would opt for a more traditional look, even if that turns out to be none of the above.

What about using quartz? It will offer better prices than many other stone counters.

purpleflowers : I like the All Gray Forward Fantasy Brown Countertops.

Txbutterfly :
Omg, I just said to my friend the other day, I've become a scrubber. Lol I mean the counter just needs a wipe off. Here I am, heel dug in and using every muscle on my body to get that spot off. It's in the counter design. Lol
Now I'm mindful of it, what I used to float around with duster and mop, I'm going all angry marine on it. Lol it's the two of us old people. What kind of dirt could we make? I didn't sweep for a week (I'd been sweeping and mopping daily), at the end of the week I didn't have enough dirt and crumbs to fill the palm of my hand. Yet I scrub now.
Tomorrow is shutter dusting day. I have 34 interior shutters on the windows. I got it down. A swiffer dry mop pad in one hand and a damp microfiber rag in the other. I'll have to whisper no scrubbing to myself.
I like clean sleek surfaces. Not black and i gave up chasing keeping glass tables clean in the early 2000's, lol.

purpleflowers :
The second one with the grey countertops leave enough contrast to make it interesting!

purpleflowers :
Another vote for number 3. It's personal preference.

purpleflowers : I like the All Gray.

purpleflowers : Love #3

I'm at my sister's house right now and she has grey marble with a really busy pattern in it. It is awful and looks dirty.
Also a really shiny surface shows streaks when you wipe it.
#4 for me.

Looking at countertops for a possible remodel too. Much of the research about dark countertops has cautioned about how easily you can see watermarks especially if the water is "hard." Also read they are tough to remove so a constant fight and worry to keep water off of them. That alone has turned us away from the dark top. Agree with the recessed lighting comment. We have recessed in one kitchen and hanging lights in another one. The hanging lights are just another fixture that needs cleaned frequently. Also only light up what is directly below them so you may need recessed too. Bottom line…a big investment so pick what you love but if a move is in your future, I'd temper that with what will stand the test of time. Good luck with the project!

Chow : That's because we're guys and tend not to be as nitpicky as our wives can be.