Thanks all. I think I really am looking for something simple, not outstanding and something that will blend nicely without shouting, "Look at me!" Subtle is best in my book and I think the countertop speaks loudly enough. I couldn't think of or find any other "colors" or "textures" beside the darker gray that would do just that. It was late when I posted so I forgot I had pictures of the tiles, duh, that helps huh? I think the minimalist idea but not harsh and stark and cold is what this kitchen needs. I wasn't thinking in terms of feminine just with so many darks I didn't want it to appear at first glance that many men lived here, (although three out of five do!!). They really could care less anyway, just strive to make the mom happy. What a blessing! Anyway, try to imagine a 7x20 tile laid lengthwise with about 1/8 in tiny bit deeper color grout. Now what do you think? Without the tiny tiles inlaid. Remember: Place them lengthwise in your mind and keep in mind that EXPO uses flourescent lighting and I have lots of overhead lighting plus zenon undercabinet lighting. Thanks again!

Thank you for this. I don't post often as I have four children under seven but I always read. This is close to my heart. We are in our mid-thirties and moved about a year ago. I left many roses behind (including a 30 ft Peggy Martin trained on our chimney that will probably swallow that little house now that I'm not there to prune it) but I dug many and brought them here, to what we hope will be our home for the rest of our lives. It is a discipline to stay in one place, to look again and again. Amend the soil, dig out the plants that spoil the scene and plant something you plan to tend for decades. This is the garden I have the privilege of caring for. I might look around and wish for less humidity, changes in elevation, better soil, that the Norway maple in the back were a mature Cedar of Lebenon (haha) but ultimately no place is perfect and there is something rich in a commitment to a particular piece of earth with both it's flaws and occasional moments of beauty. There is so much in our gardens that isn't quite how we want it to be. The rabbits, the mildew, the weak rootstock. The picture is never quite finished but I am happy to know that I can look and look again instead of paying admission and moving on.

These considerations above are the same I go back and forth and can't seem to make up my mind. Gosh, I didn't know deciding on handles would be so difficult! :) @ Mayflower: I am actually leaning towards the dakota wire pull in antique pewter. I like it because it is dark, but not "too" dark, like ORB. I looked at tons of white kitchens on pinterest and while I like black and ORB there, here in my home I feel it pops against the white cabinets and the overall feeling of the kitchen too much. @Herbflavor: Thanks for the compliments on my kitchen. That is what I was going for/wanted - a airy, light kitchen with a farm feel to it. But not too "farmy" if you get my meaning. I feel like a light hardware finish would make the kitchen even more "airy and light" (polished nickel) and love the look of it on pictures. Matter of a fact, I was almost certain I was going to choose the bistro handle in PN, but then, when I put it against the the cabinet in my kitchen, I didn't like it. I thought it was too chunky/big and shiny. @Pippabean: Thanks:) My little helper is great and has lots of opinions - she thinks herself and artist and because of that, her opinions is the one that should matter....lol Actually some of her opinions are good - she told me the kitchen had too much blue and need some other colors:) The backsplash is a portuguese tile I took forever to find and I am so happy with it. It makes me smile every time I look at it because it reminds me of my home country and, mostly, of my grandma (she was Portuguese) who was fantastic! They are blue and white. On the other walls, I have simple subway tiles by Fireclay in Tusk color. Thanks again everyone!

Rebecca is still flowering retaining a nice head of blooms and is starting to show new leaves in the crown and a couple of brand new flower stems just starting that have not yet come into bloom. Both new leaves and new flowers? A couple of the oldest leaves are starting to curl under, but they seem to actually be shaded out as the outside leaves seem to be stretching on their petioles. There is still a nice full crown. I like this AV a whole lot, and it is doing better than any of them I have had in the past, that would be a long ago past actually.