Maybe change the backsplash and put down a colorful rug. I would not paint unless you've always wanted white cabinets. It's your home now don't feel guilty if you do chose to paint.

And decluttering the tops

Wow! Thanks groveraxle! It helps so much to be able to see what it could look like! :)

I love the Adnet Mirror sold at DWR.

I used georgette light tile from Floor and Dacor in Atl.

You did a great job on the bathroom.

Gorgeous

Clean

Functional

You likely could if you put it back when you leave.

I thought you were getting an ivory shag rug?

I'm not the only one making the decisions now so it won't be moved. I did get an ivory rug and it sheds so he doesn't like it. Thanks for your comments.

Is your room big enough for an 8x10 because a 5x7 will look small in the Anthropologie rug.

I have that same Spice Warehouse loft saved in my ideabook :-) That rug is from Pottery Barn.

The black table I put in is from Homedecorators. It is on sale, has mixed reviews. The black Suzani pillows I found on Overstock.com.
When looking for a coffee table (I like all your choices above), keep the height of the sofa in mind. Rules are there to be broken, but it's just convenient if there isn't too much of a height difference between sofa and top of table.

I don't know if it's this rug, but I do like it http://www.potterybarn.com/products/sumner-hand-braided-jute-rug/?pkey=cnatural-fiber-rugs&

I love that bathroom if you saw my rental bathroom you would rethink your opinion of yours.

It's beautiful! I am just putting in a new one, that looks like this sans the black pattern. You are giving me ideas for the next one...

Love that bathroom! We had one like it in our condo in Harvard Square. Buy a fabulous shower curtain in black and white toile.

Take a look at this idea book!

Pottery barn had them. Don't over look craigslist too

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/park-mirrored-pull-bedside-table/?pkey=e%7Cmirrored%7C16%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C4&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/park-mirrored-pull-bedside-table-small/?pkey=e%7Cmirrored%7C16%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules

I love what you have so far.

Thank you aggie. If not mirrored, what would you suggest then? I'm just at such a loss as to what will "go" with the finish of the dresser but I don't want to be matchy matchy. That's why I was trying to find something that would bring out the silver nailhead trim on my headboard.

I posted a couple links there, let me know what you think!

I believe mine came from Target but it might have come from Tuesday Morning.

Absolutely not. Couldn't be bothered straightening that out as well as plumping seat covers up.

Two grey velvet throws that blend in to match our seating.

#2 I like the contrast. 4 matches too well and looks plain

2 can't vote on 1 it may be the lighting but it seems cool toned, which wouldn't have won my vote

What number did you pick?

Taken as a finance question. If I had 8x-12x my monthly expenses in saving, plus a fully funded IRA for the year, no consumer debt, reasonable retirement fund for my age on top of an extra 10k in saving then I would go for it. If you don't have this, in the words of Suze Orman, you are denied, you can't afford it.

Thank you all who took some of your time to come here and help us with the decisions, your advice and suggestions were very much appreciated and helped get to where we are. Thank you!!!

Congratulations! Nice and bright!

Craigslist and estate sales. You can search major brands through craigslist. Your timing is probably good because a lot of college students sell all their things before they move. Sometimes you can find a good deal through ebay. I've seen good stuff go cheap because the buyer requests local pick ups only.

We went with the IKEA Hemnes Wall unit. Honestly, part of me regrets the decision because I see areas of it that are made pretty cheap (the bookshelves in particular) but at the same time, we love how it looks. Get what you pay for I suppose. It's a good starter piece for our home and much better than what we had before.

For lamps, check out Overstock and Lamps Plus Open Box (same stuff as Lamps Plus but discounted because the box was opened, i.e., after a return). I agree with living in the space for a while before furnishing the whole house, but I know how it is to just need to get some of it done, too!