If you're really asking why it's so hard, I think it's because we have too much to consider and too many sides to ourselves, too. There's: - What makes us happy color-wise, the same way certain foods taste good or certain music sounds good. Not a choice - just makes you happy in and of itself. - What makes us happy color-wise (and/or style wise), due to recognizing current trends and feeling pretty darn hip because of it. But then we ask ourselves: Is it more of a trend that won't stand the test of time or that's lasted for years but is on its way out...if that kind of thing matters to us? - What's practical in terms of being durable. - What's practical in terms of money (for some of us, anyway). - What gives us cozy memories or reminds us of some major inspiration (e.g. for me, butcher block countertops call to me like no other. Childhood memories even. In the end I decided against it due to how rough my family is on things and the fact that they'll never dab up the water they leave standing on it by the sink...but I feel heartbroken for having given up on it)! I ended up choosing the last thing I would have EVER thought I'd pick, in a million years! That's stainless, in an old, period kitchen. But that's also because I saw a picture of one in an old house and instantly fell in love, all the while being shocked that I liked it. Also, I'd had it on an island top for many years (granted, a SMALL island) and loved how it patinas, and loved how durable it is and how it almost changes colors depending on the day and lighting. At times it's almost colorless - like a rock - and fluid and soft looking, like water. And I loved how I could still have butcher block, but on my island now instead of the main countertop - because it provided great contrast and won't get damaged as easily as if it were by the sink. The owner of the inspiration kitchen had paired the stainless with a white farm sink and wood floors and white marble backsplash (only mine will be honed white marble subway tile backsplash and not very veiny). The big question - for all of us at this point - is: WILL IT REALLY LOOK GOOD, ONCE IN??! ;) I'll be finding out soon. Scared!! Stainless is quite the gamble, in a older house!

Have purchased Broan Allure III undercupboard range vent but haven't installed it yet. We did a lot of online looking, found this one had lowest sone rating and came in white 30" and was within our budget. Not sure if it's the cat's meow, but I know for sure we won't even turn on a hood if it's noisy. Also comes in other finishes.

debi_2006, good point about the glass shade, I definitely don't want to be cleaning it constantly. LucyStar1-If you are still interested, it is the Cali Bronzed Chandelier from Ethan Allen. mamorella- The light looks beautiful in your space, it is very classy looking. Thanks! aktillery-Thanks for the photoshop, that light does look nice there. Errant/kitschyKitch- thanks, I will look into having a can light put there. We were going to have to hire someone to replace the light fixture as my husband is terrified of anything electrical.

Countrygal, My sinks were pretty cheap so the faucet side of my sink/faucet budget was pretty loose (I've seen $2000 faucets online that are beyond it, but I could basically have anything in the showroom). For my main sink, I got the MGS Vela VED-M. The pulldown spray feels so good! It fits perfectly in the hand, and the finish feels yummy, and the weight of it is just right. It's not big (I hope it doesn't look dinky with the big sink), but it has beautiful lines. It also has a top notch reputation for craftsmanship and reliability. For the keyhole shaped island sink (Kohler bordelaise), I got a Kohler Karbon. It bends to where you want it, which is perfect for the odd shaped sink. And it also has a button for spray. I love the way the carbon fibre shafts feel too. For the laundry room, after the more classic model faucet I'd chosen turned out to be discontinued, I got the Elkay Arezzo. I just love this one. It's not particularly elegant, but the whole thing swivels, not just the spout, and it's so much fun!! It's just an ordinary chrome faucet, but it also feels good and is fun to touch. It's too bad you don't have a showroom where you can touch your possibles. I didn't really stress over the looks of the Vela. I mean, it's simple and classic and I like it, but I didn't worry about finish or height or anything. One feel and I kept going back to pet it...