For countertops, I recommend granite. It is very durable, not as expensive as quartz, and comes in many color variations. Find out if there are any granite yards in your neighborhood. If so, you should go check them out. Granite yards are big stores with an infinite selection of granite slabs. If you go, make sure to bring a picture of the "hazy sage" color and a picture of your cabinets. Then, you'll be able to see if the granite and the rest of the kitchen will match. Based on your description, I would recommend a sandy-colored granite with flecks of brown in it. This would work with the color scheme because the medium-to-dark cabinets will contrast with the counters, making the kitchen really pop.
Next comes the backsplash. To determine the type and color of backsplash, you need to figure out what type of kitchen you are going for (traditional, modern, etc). With a more traditional kitchen, you might want subway tiles or a very minimal glass tile. However, if you want to do a modern kitchen, you could choose a more "out there" backsplash. I've even seen some really cool stainless steel tile ones. Once again, it just depends on your personal style and aesthetic.
Lastly, you can choose all your fun accent pieces. With these, you should probably choose a main color you want to stick with and have all your accent pieces be in this color. (By accent pieces, I mean jars, decorative plates, place mats, etc.) Maybe hang a couple fancy plates on the wall, put a couple glass jars on your counter and fill them with colorful candy, and just do simple things like that to add a little personality to your kitchen.
Have fun :)
When in doubt, check the manufacturer's website - they usually provide accent color options that go with.
Another option would be to check out www.colorcombos.com. Since sage green is somewhere between gray and green, look at both.
My kitchen will be painted "hazy sage" by Glidden. It's a pale sage/olive green. My cabinets are a medium-dark wood. I have no idea what color accents to use. The rest of the house has a lot of yellows and blues, but I'm not sure that goes with the kitchen color. Help!
