If it where me, I would go for an oak worktop, it would look lovely with the cabinets and wall colour and then maybe a light creamy colour tile/ tile effect all the way through instead of the two different floorings :)

Helen, I really would not worry too much about weak joints. As long as the base units are fixed, firm and level, with lots of support it will be fine. Do not choose from a small granite sample, unless it is utterly consistent and uniform. I almost always/whenever possible get my clients to choose the slabs. Then rather like choosing a picture, each one is unique. If you need more than one slab, make sure it is the next in the block. Depending on the granite/marble you might find - one at 3.5 metres, but I would not worry about it. As said by others above otherwise you can go for a man-made material such as Minerva. We have recently used Carrara White Minerva a fair bit as you can make seamless joints, its cool to the touch like natural stone and looks like Carrara. A picture of a recent kitchen by us using Carrara white Minerva Granite with two joints in front of the hob Green painted kitchen with two under-mounted sinks and a joint onto the other worktop run

Hi Cloughie, A number of my clients have wood with wood and it works well IF you choose the right woods. Since you have your floorboards in situ already I assume their colour is fixed. Whatever it is choose a work surface that contrasts with them, not blends with them. You don't want your work surface to look like your floor. If you have an oak floor choose a really dark work surface or a really light one. I think you will understand my meaning. So long as it's completely different you shouldn't need to worry about clashing. Best of luck. Yasmin

Maybe an opportunity for a company such as Formica to offer something new?? I am sure there would be lots of interest from architects / interior designers / consumers for something a bit different but with a decent price tag too? Flooring brands like Forbo really showcase how their products can be made modern and contemporary, without having to necessarily mimic another type of finish (although they offer these too I think..?). Wallpaper designs are almost limitless, so why not start designing more creative laminate worktop designs? Printed surfaces are limitless when it comes to creative designs. They don’t have to be complex. Simple, commercially viable to produce, but filling this market gap.... If someone could start designing and producing something for next year I’d appreciate it lol!!!