I'm far from professional - not even a serious hobbyist - but one trick to getting more accurate colors is to learn how to use the manual white balance on your camera, if you have it. Even my point and shoot lets me do that, and it can make a big difference. Also, I'm guessing that a lot of the professionally taken photos use HDR, or high dynamic range. They take multiple exposures, with a range of under and over exposed, then combine them using software. That way the lighter areas and the darker areas can be exposed correctly in the same image. In the photo threebees posted, for example, the view out the window isn't an overexposed glare, but you can still see the detail in the shadows on the floor. I tried it out on my before picture of my kitchen. It's not very good, but you can see the difference in the second picture around the window. Original: From Kitchen HDR: From Kitchen

Amy - too funny! I was really happy when I saw this thread posted as I had recently purchased a bunch of washable throw pillow covers that were PB. They were navy blue, tan and cream. Decided I'd do something radical and incorporate navy blue into my decorating. Not Silver Sage blue! Prill yes there is an outlet. I believe it's the 2nd story over one of her stores. I love pretyy much anything Annie Selke does! The rug that I covet is the Blue Heron although the Otis Blue or Tobacco Ticking stripe would fit my colors better. Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Heron

Late to this thread but your BPantry shares a lot in common with what we're contemplating. Can you share dimensions of: 1. width of floor 2. width (i.e., depth) of each countertops 3. width (ie, depth) of cabinets? And do you recommend any changes to those for a de novo project? We're considering: 40-42" for the floor width - do not want it too wide or there is lost efficiency of movement; but of course do not want to be confined when a drawer is opened; 18" deep countertops - this is, after all not the kitchen, but is a clean-up and storage area. But if we do not place the d/w at the nether dead-end of this long room (we may or may not), then at least one counter will of course need be the requisite 24 for the d/w 15" & 18" deep cabinets. Thanks for your and any others' advice...perhaps we will begin a thread of its own.

Sorry I can’t figure out how to respond to everyone individually so here we go.. er612 - we will just have the tile on the vertical side of the window (the window on the right in the photo where the tiles are currently green, yellow and a green/yellow pattern) As far as the red door, I only added a red door as I thought it would make me less boring (lol) so I’m not set on red - I also thought it went well with the tile. Thank you Lindac92 -just how to do them and what colors don’t clash is my struggle (the struggle is real lol) HU-187528210 - I LOVE this look … hummm how to make it work I would love to try to figure out how to actually do a mock up - I have seen that some people here use an app and show people what the house might look like when changed - I found the Benjamin Moore one but when I drew new colors it looked like a 2 year old had an accident with a crayon and definitely didn't stay in the lines hahah