Another vote for Dekton and Sileston Quartz worktops, use them all the time in our projects as so much more forgiving and low maintenance than granite or marble. Agree that Corian is a good option if you have a large island to prevent visible joins, whilst it has other benefits you do need to be very careful when it comes to heat. Vast range of colours and textures in all types nowadays so the type of material shouldn't limit the effect you want to achieve - be that traditional or contemporary. I am always a big advocate that a worktop is an investment, there is no point spending a large sum on a beautiful quality kitchen and then finishing it off with a worktop that won't stand up to time as well as the rest of the room or cheapen the look - I always recommend to go for the best you can afford.

Would you consider a natural stone or a porcelain like Dekton? Dekton have some really beautiful colours that lean more cream and would work really well with your existing kitchen. Have a look at the options available. https://www.cosentino.com/en-ie/colours/?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gad_source=1 Quartz worktops (particularly white :/) are actually a lot less stain resistant than what suppliers lead you to believe, and also can chip quite easily on the edges.

That’s a valid concern! It’s definitely a fine line with matte finishes since they can get too shiny if you're not careful. The ultra-fine Scotch-Brite pad is designed to be much gentler than something like a regular scourer, though, so it won’t have that same polishing effect. The key with soapy water is to keep the pressure light and work in small, controlled circle it's like "softening" the pad's effect while making sure it’s not too aggressive on the surface.

I think for practicality I’d go for quartz on both.. i have given up on ChatGPT as it’s putting things all over the place and mottling everything! However i would add a jute runner in front of the hob and some chopping boards so it gives the wood element. I’d look at Little Greene warm greeny neutrals and complementary colours, I used putti on the island with a lighter shade on the walls. i hope you don’t mind me saying but i don’t think the style of the dresser sits as well with the modern shaker and crittall doors, I might go for an updated style