yes, the backsplash is going! It's awful! I did order the torquay for the backsplash area. Maybe I will have it all installed, and post a new picture. If this were our forever home I would have ripped up this bathroom, but since its not, its just not worth the effort and stress. Thank you for your replies, I REALLY appreciate it.

Yes, we use AC here from April through September. This year we even used it some in October. We will need to replace our electric heating system, also. The one we have now is resistance heat and we would go to a heat pump. There is no gas line to my house. Well that stinks. I would call the gas company to see if they have any plans to bring it to your area. At my last house we had electric heat which was a big turn off, we immediately changed it in the spring adding central air. We just replaced our gas furnace 2 weeks ago. The whole job was around $5,000. We called a few places, it was ranging up to $7,000. Be sure to look in the phone book to see if there are any coupons, also call the electric company to see what they offer. We priced cultured marble counters yesterday at Home Depot just to get an idea of price. For the master it would be about $300.00 plus the faucets. For Silestone, which we have in the kitchen, it would be about $600 to $700 plus the cost of two undermount sinks and two faucets. It might be worth it to get Silestone since it certainly is a more WOW look. Even in lower priced homes people like nice kitchens and baths. What do you think? We just did custom counters in the bath & kitchen, the price you got sounds good. Pretty sure it cost us about $3,000 total, we didn't get anything fancy.

Are you painting the cabinets yourself or will you have them painted? It is an arduous task to do it right and expensive to have them painted for you. Do it wrong and you will have paint chipping and need to replace the cabinets. If you think you may do a total remodel in 10 years, your cabinets, if done right, might hold up to give you time to save up. Are you planning and can you afford to change the overall color tone of your home - with the gray wall color and white cabinets, it looks like you are leaning that way. The white alone is neutral, but start bringing in cool tones in paint or other surfaces, your floors will need to b changed - one thing follows another. You need to think of the big picture and the long term plan. I kept my cabinets, but changed counters, backsplash and sink. My cabinets are oak, but not the exact same style as yours: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 I would consider changing the ceiling light and installing under cabinet lighting before spending money elsewhere. New lighting will affect the way the wood looks - you may or may not like it better. The present lighting is not helping the wall paint of cabinets. I have a "wood kitchens" idea book and some (not all) of the kitchens are refreshed oak kitchens which may give you some other inspiration. There is no "should" in how you do your kitchen - there is what would get you to your vision in your budget. Sometimes, painting older cabinets does that, other times it is a disappointment because it is older cabinets painted white with still older light fixture, counters and backsplash. There is noting wrong with an older kitchen either, but white paint will not change that it is an older kitchen. You can make it prettier than it is without painting the cabinets.

This is a close up of a tweedy type rug that might work for you - I just think a darker rug will cozy up the area and complement the ottoman so much better.... This rug has been discontinued and the remaining sizes are probably too big for your space, but it might be a direction to be looking, if it appeals to you: Something like this might work, too. I can't tell for sure about the colors but Pottery Barn has samples available in store if there is one near you, refundable deposit when returned: