Okay. Sounds like you've been getting alot of misinformation and half truths. First, there's no such thing as a grout with the sealer built in. Many installers will try and tell you that about modified grouts which include latex polymers in the grouts, but that's bigtime false. The other, which is more of a half truth is concerning epoxies. Although there's no sealer built right in, sealer can not be used on epoxy grout, either, because it's actually a plastic, and as such, won't allow sealers to penetrate into the grout. However, it also doesn't NEED to be sealed being that by itself, it won't allow alot of the staining that normally occurs (although it also can't be said that it's stainproof-- that's also a mis-statement). Now, Many of your questions can be answered if you go to the top of the bathrooms forum list and click on the "gallery" link. I have a thread over there entitled Tile FAQ's. In there, I go into alot of detail concerning grouts and the choice thereof. One of the things I stress is my opinion that you're better off choosing medium to dark colors in high traffic areas, rather than depending on grout sealers, because the BEST that they'll do is delay the inevitable. With the medium to dark colors, you won't see traffic patterns, staining, or aging of the grout NEARLY as much. This also goes for epoxy grouts, with respect to choosing colors. One other thing I say in that thread, and this WOULD pertain to you-- For the most part, it's my opinion that the use of epoxy grouts in residential installations, although everything people say they are, are very high priced overkill. There are only two times where I feel the use of epoxy grout is justified. One is if you're doing a tile countertop, and the other is if you have pets-- especially multiple pets, who might tend to have "accidents" every once in a while. Hopefully, I haven't confused you even further. If after reading this as well as the FAQ, you still have questions, don't hesitate to ask. :-) Matter of fact, I think your questions' going to be added to it, concerning the "grouts with sealer built in"!

You will need to buy a good amount of extra tile. Marble varies considerably in color and can have natural deviations in it that you may not want to use. No guarantee the color will be consistent within any box or from box to box. As stated above, be prepared to sort and arrange it. You may end up using some tiles that you don't like. Also, when cutting, sometimes there are natural inclusions that you can't see, so if you cut across the inclusion, you end up with pieces you didn't plan on. You need to be careful with the type of mastic/thin set you use. The tile surface, but not sides needs to be sealed before you grout, otherwise the grout will stick to the surface of the stone tile, something that doesn't happen with glazed ceramic. Then you have to seal it again after it's grouted. With buying over the internet, be prepared for breakage and having to deal with damage claims, and extra time waiting for replacement tile. You may not have problems, but you need to plan for the possibility in case you are on a tight schedule. I ordered our backsplash tile online, and the first shipment was not delivered because it was totally broken up before it even got to us. About 30% of the replacement was broken also. When we finally got the balance of the tile, it was not quite as good quality as what we received before. We had ordered plenty of extra, and sorted the tile several times, using the less appealing tile where it would show the least. We had done two floors and a fireplace with marble before we did our backsplash, as well as several ceramic tile projects before that, so we had an idea of what we were dealing with when using the stone. If you are installing it yourself, get as much information as you can. If you are hiring an installer, make sure they know how to work with stone.

I told Sayde I would help her post photos of her kitchen and some tile samples, so everyone could see. (I have serious house envy, having grown up in an English Tudor.) Original Kitchen: New floor plan: Possible floor tile, 4x8 Mojave tumbled travertine tiles: They come in 8 x 4, 8 x 8, 6x6, 12x12. Wish there were 8 by 16 but not in this tile). Another shot of same tile as above: "These are the terracotta pavers I like and they're larger. Worried they'll be more difficult and may-be too red or too dark. ???" Flooring pattern. Def pretty but is it to busy, noisy live with daily? "One alternative to a hood that we would construct might be something like this. I like the geometry of this one . . ." Or copper: Backsplash: "They used three different colors of off white. When you hold the tiles in your hand they look much closer together in value than they do here (below). These are 4x8 but they come 3x6 and also square. They are the only tiles I've seem that have that nice talc like matte surface, but also a very subtle craze that you only see close up. When I saw them next to that edge of midtoned wood I got drawn in. And what about these with the floor? Colors? Sizes?"

When you say 'dark island' what did you have in mind? And what type of travertine. The traditional cut often looks swirly and is considered soft and full of pits (of course a higher level product won't be so bad), whereas a grain cut travertine (my favourite!) is a stunning linear look that can be a bit 'harder' (without so much pitting). The travertine might be the star. The cabinets might be the star. The ISLAND in a different colour is going to STAND OUT which means it will probably be the star...or the counter tops could be the star. All of this means you could have too many Divas in the same room. Can you share your pics for your flooring and your cabinets (colour and style for both cabs and island). Not to be rude but the question begs to be asked: Where is your Designer in all of this?