[houzz=] Here is another that uses the corner well. This also will help offset the lack of symmetry on the range wall as well. Your cabinet maker would need to work out all the measurements. The base drawers to the right of the range may need to be reduced in size to be the same as the ones on the left, which will also help balance the wall. This tall unit to the left of the range will help to balance the large pantry on the right. Where the below picture does not show it, you would have room to place a small matching wall cabinet to the left of the corner tower to balance and to balance out the space between the window. Then you can still have some type of unit to the left of the sink with the appliance garage, but it would not need to be quite as wide and would give some space next to the sink. Look at this more and see what you think. There are some very unique features to your plan. A very high level of customization and much thought has gone into it. It is going to be beautiful. Would love to see the final plan and pictures of the final product. Let me know if you want us to look further.

There are many examples on houzz of contrasting counters for perimeter and island. For example butcher block on island and stone on perimeter or a solid color on one and something with movement on another. I would only mix two stones if one had movement and one was fairly solid. The stainless on perimeter and something else on island sounds good to me. Here is a pic of stainless counters with what looks like a stone breakfast bar. (I hope I understood your question right). http://houzz.com/photos/3137660

Your layout for you kitchen looks really good and would fit well with the mixture of black and white cabinetry. With the lament bench top, we would suggest melamine (entry level cabinetry) or acrylic bench top, which can come in high gloss feature or matt. The matt surface would go lovely with your choice of bench top, and acrylic is also a affordable cabinetry material. Below are some examples of how Reno4u has incorporated both black and white cabinetry together, without making it to dominantly dark. We feel as if these examples would be perfect for your layout, and depending on if you want more black cabinetry or white you can go either way. This design above is an example with more black than white, can be made matt or gloss with different handles/splash back and wallpaper. With a u shaped kitchen similar to yours, however from the pictures you provided your style may include different design below the island bench. Another kitchen designed by us which shows more white than black, with a bar built in which may suit your design better. We hope this helps you, please feel free to call us on 03 423 9067 and we can provide a free quote for materials and kitchen design, and help you finalise your design further. :)

You are so right white is never out of fashion. I would set your budget and then look at your options. If you plan to stay in the house for many years then spend to the top of your budget (if that is going to give you a life time of pleasure), if you plan on being at the home for only a short time / few years then I would go mid range so it looks lovely, will have good resale value but you can invest your well earned money to go towards something else as well. Obviously Marble / Granite is the top of the range but there are so many cheaper and very attractive options these days that look just as good.