We went with quartz countertops. Quartz doesn't have to be re-sealed every six months the way granite does. It's actually a manmade product, so it doesn't have imperfections like hidden cracks. What ever you get, insist on having a built-in drainboard in the countertop by the sink. They mill one into granite, and cut a slab out of quartz, then tilt the slab and glue it in.
We also went with stainless steel tile for our backsplash. It's a booger to work with, but great looking and dead simple to clean. Our flooring is solid walnut in most of the upstairs (kitchen, hallways, entrance, and around the outer 36" of the living/dining area.) Spendy but gorgeous.
