I just can't make a decision about kitchen worktops. Ideally what I had in my head was a cream shaker kitchen with oak/oak effect worktops, however I don't want real wood because of the upkeep and the fact that DH is totally going to forget a trivet and burn a pan ring into it at some point (not being mean, he has form for this!). Not really sold on laminate but was going to go for it because of cost and the fact that it's not as long lived as other surfaces, but then my (very lovely) mum has cashed in an ISA that wasn't doing much and offered to buy the worktops so I can go for quartz or whatever the higher end stuff is.
The only surface I liked at Howdens (who we are going with) was a white sort of marble effect (not a fan of sparkles) but that looked weird with cream cabinets so have quoted with a pale sage cabinets, which are nice, but I'm worried they're going to date and this kitchen has got to last a loooooong time.
Howdens quoted separately for the worktops as they said their range for this is limited so I should shop around, but I don't know where to start really.
What other sorts of worktops are out there? I'd like a sandy coloured one (so similar in colour/tone to oak, but made out of something stone-like?!) what would I need to search for?
Off out now, but will check any replies later this evening!