"I'd like grey/silver with variance in color throughout, rather than one flat tone."
The photo you show is lovely. I agree that color variance makes it. The cabinets, backsplash and counter look fabulous together.
IF you added the butcher block from below to that mix, I don't think it works as well. The reason that the butcher block top works in the second photo that you show, is that the backsplash has colors that are also in the butcher block top.
What do you think with the top added to your first photo?
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dark island counter top
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