Chloe's Mom, I was joking about the ugly--the swivel is fine. But, yes, very dangerous. I've been plopped onto the floor by these several times. Swivel pedestal chairs would be cool! Very mid-century. We had them when I was little (Atomic age, but swivel). I thought of orange grout too! And nixed it for the same reasons. But also because I don't want to call attention to the floor. I had a really dynamic floor once and learned my lesson. If you have a really really great floor people will look at it. I want them to look up. :-) Kris, it's the perimeter that will have the pond. I flirted with granite that looks like river rock for the island, but wised up. It would have drawn all the attention, and I really don't like granite for kitchen counters. Hence the tile. :) The inspiration for the pond was really the tiles. The frogs. And waterlilies, vines, bamboo and ginko blossoms. I just loved them. And everyone has been giving me grief because the giant I painted where there are no upper cupboards is going away. This'll give 'em something to look at.

oh my! all those stitches. It's a lovely illustration and you did a kick@ss job on it.

You did a great job coordinating your shower with the existing bathroom tile.

@Bob z - I’ve never been to IKEA - had no idea that they had stained options - your island looks really nice. Spent $20,000 - I assume that’s for new cabinets + countertop + backsplash + adding new vent hood + new microwave + new cooktop + some lighting (at least new lighting under island) + labor for demo and installation of all of the new items? Wow! I like how many new drawers you added. Also, I like how you removed the stained wood window trim + ran the backsplash tiles all the way to the ceiling. Did your installer mitered the tiles around the window or use a pencil liner (it’s difficult to tell in the photos)? Also, are the tiles Bedrosian Cloe White? If yes, what color (and brand) grout did you use? I’m using Cloe White for my kitchen backsplash - and while my installer will test colors for me, I like seeing real photos of the tile installed with different grout colors to help narrow down the choices). Sorry for so many Qs! It turned out very nice!