I grew up with a mirrow over the kitchen sink. My first house had a window. I never really cared for that as I didn't spend a lot of time at the sink, and it was a drag to open and close and clean. Second home (new) the kitchen was interior and had no windows - I put a mirror over the sink. Current home (major remodel) the kitchen is also interior but does have windows on one side. I am putting a tile inset over the sink that matches the one on the opposite wall where the cooktop is. It's not done yet so no pictures -

Thanks! rhome, your lower shelf setup sounds like what I'm envisioning...even if the shelf is only 12" deep, it will be pulled out so that it's flush with the 24" side panels (we'll have panels on both sides of the fridge). It's just the space behind that would be dead. I could just put some boxes or bins back there, though---maybe an easier/cheaper solution? @chris45ny, I've seen some super creative wine storage options for that space, including one (on IKEAFans, I think?) that even included a hanging wine glass rack. :) We don't need wine storage, though, as we have a separate storage area for that in our dining room (and DH is busy converting our basement into a wine and beer storage space, since it's a lot cooler than the house). Cookbooks are definitely the front runner as they're the only thing that's really unaccounted for in the kitchen layout (well, that and dog food, but I'm thinking over the fridge is not such a hot plan for that!) Just trying to get my head around the logistics of it all!

I do prefer hanging light over the dining table. There is something very cozy about it. But I see how semi flush or flush or sconces or even big overhanging floor lamp can be beautiful too, in some cases. I don't like flush mounts or so I thought; but when I suddenly saw one that I really loved-I changed my opinion in a blink of an eye, and didn't rest until I found place for it:) So it depends. What I don't like-a huge amount of recessed lights..they're okay in kitchens or hallways or where they are really needed, but I saw several rather pretty houses that had just these recessed lights all over the ceilings, a lot of them, everywhere. And the ceilings were perfectly high too, so I truly could see no reason for them..it just brings unwanted attention to these lights, and you can't look away somehow.

You could space the microwave forward the depth of the tile, by installing wood blocking, or a sheet of plywood the same or slightly thicker than the tile, and then mount the bracket to that. You should still place fasteners into studs where possible. See OTR microwaves not compatible with Ikea Sektion depth for some example photos. Alternatively, it also would probably not be too difficult to cut the tile back. I would try a Dremel tool with a diamond cut-off wheel. Work slowly, scoring the tile along your cut line. A helper holding a shop vac as you cut will reduce the mess.