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

as a mum I agree worktop is priority, but also there's extreemly little cupboard storage so I would stick with the pantry cupboard and add a freestanding ikea Varde unit like attached pic ( I would have preferred integrated dishwasher too and a bit of moulding/ shape to the door style in a perfect world ) where's the fridge supposed to go?

So would something like this be ideal?

Hi, we have an unusual space where the bottom cupboards are actually head space for a stairway downstair. We are running the bench (700wide) over this along the wall (the glass door is being replace by wall) and looking at an on bench panty system. Has anyone used the Hettich Vertico mono system in a large 1200 wide 700m high (maximum extent) installation? We would have all the appliances behind it and potentially lit glass display shelving on the top 700 to the ceiling. I'm just curious as have only seen this in small appliance cupboard type installations to date. thanks