"Nice camera work, vern!"' ---Thanks, now I know what to use the macro setting on my camera for. "Let me put it this way-- I've got a touch of OCD, and it would bother me all to hell, too, to install it like that. But from an industry standpoint, no, there's nothing wrong with it" My tile installer spent a good part of one day and the next morning trying to lay out the pattern to get it just right. He played with it and played with it until the company foreman showed up and basically said that it was taking him to long. After that I could see and sense the installer was angrier then hell and BAM all of a sudden the tile started getting hung really fast. Yesterday when then company foreman looked at the chips he implied that because they had to play with the pattern so much to get it right that these things happen. It wasn't what I wanted to hear. A little sympathy woud have gone a long way. There is also a chip in the middle of one of the accent strips that I hadn't posted before. Anyway after sleeping on it all nite I'm still undecided on what to do

Thanks, L! In 7 years, the countertop decor has changed a bit, but I still haven't gotten tired of the irises. I know they might be more suitable for a bathroom rather than a kitchen, but they make me feel good when I'm doing the dishes. I'm glad you chose those glass tiles; if they make your heart sing, you'll enjoy them for years to come. Sue

brutuses, Yes, they were all purchased from Dal-tile: 3x6 subways, 2x4 subways, both in the Rittenhouse line and the 2x2 glass accents and 4x4 tiles with 2x2 cut-outs from their Fashion Accents line. I can't remember the name of the liner tile but I can probably look it up if you need it. It was made by another company for Dal-tile to match the subways. It's not custom; Dal-tile has a relationship with another company so it basically expands their Rittenhouse line. (For some reason this info isn't on their website. It's possible that you can only order the liners from Dal-tile's Seattle showroom.)

hollysprings ... I had originally wanted the 6x6's set on the diagonal, but I only have about 15 1/2 - 16" between the counter and top of the lower cabinets and when you turn the 6x6's on end, they are like 8 1/2" (not 6" any more) and I don't think I'd have room for that. Jeffrey Court does make a thin liner I could use around the arch, it's 3/4 " x 8 " ... I'll try and attach the pix of this. It is the second one in this pix. I am going to talk to the tile place and see if she thinks it would be too much to put the Morrell Encore tile in the arch, but use 2"x2" tiles, instead of the 1x1 ~ would make it a LOT less busy looking. I still like the idea of a little *sparkle* in the kitchen. And after looking at the last pics I sent ... you guys must think I am trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!! lol In those pics, the cabinets look awful .... you really don't notice the graining of the Oak as much in person, the pics seem to magnify it. That being said, I WILL BE doing *something* to the finish in the spring. Either a gel stain (to darken a little); or paint ~ have been reading about the Anne Sloan Chalk Paint and that interests the heck out of me. I have emailed one retailer, and she said this paint (with 2-3 coats of their wax), is an EXCELLENT choice for cabinets. We'll see .... that'll be a whole other posting!! From December 4, 2011 The liner I am HOPING will work, is the second one down, the 3/4" one. It is a much simpler design than the one I originally wanted. I so appreciate everyone's feedback on this project ~ which is driving me crazy!!! Thanks again .... and once again, ALL comments are welcomed!!! jody