bnicebkind, I am sure you are suspect about my advice. However, I have an exact replica of OP's MIL. MIL is the most overbearing, rude, miserable, critical (and those are the nice descriptions) individual I know. I found that once I stopped taking her comments to heart and let it go in one ear and out the other (rather than engaging her and allowing her to make me feel insecure), I was able to straighten my back, listen to her comments, consider the source, respond politely and wait for her to leave. My MIL is a person who's thoughts never process in her brain, they come straight out of her mouth without thought that one or another comment may be offensive, hurtful, critical, etc. If you don't allow someone to hurt you, you take the power away from them. Fake it at first if you have to, and eventually you will actually feel it. I spent years crying to my husband when I would have to be in her presence and she belittled me. DH gave me good advice. Call her on it. When she says something that you don't like, tell her. I do now. I never raise my voice, I never get worked up, I just tell her straight up what I don't like. I do not let her ruffle my feathers. It works better to disagree with her in the moment and then there aren't residual feelings of hurt or insecurity. It actually works like a charm. The incidents are fewer and further between. I also realized that I did not want my husband to fight my battles and I certainly did not want my husband to insist his mother like me. If she doesn't like me, I no longer care. When I started realizing that my life was none of her business, I did have the backbone to tell her so when she asked an improper financial question or a question I felt was too personal. Everyone has to go with their own comfort zone. I hated that she got to me regularly. I was feeling insecure, which I hated since that is not me. MIL knew she was pushing my buttons and worse, I was letting her. I have now diffused her and she no longer has that power to aggravate, hurt or insult me. I posted about just taking a seat in another room rather than ruin the whole family dynamic. That is what I do. I don't want to be the cause of everyone not being able to celebrate a holiday together. If MIL has pi$$ed me off recently, I just say hello when I walk in and go on my way to a different room. Of course, we will have to sit at the same table for dinner, but there are usually other family members and actually, they all know how she is. It isn't just me she unleashes this behavior on. She is rude to everyone at times, including strangers in public. We joke in the family that she has Turrets. Who would be hurt if I refused to go to family functions that she was attending. My DD wouldn't see her cousins, I love my SIL and the other family members. Actually, I'd be spiting myself. When I came into DH family, the dynamic was different, I was younger. I soon had a baby with many health problems which were not expected. MIL found a place to be critical and be overbearing in the advice department. I finally just told her that I was following what my DD's doctors wanted me to do and that when she completed her medical degree I would take her advice. Now, I don't feel insecure at all, I ignore her, come back at her, listen and let it go in one ear and out the other, or whatever it takes so as not to give her the satisfaction of upsetting, insulting me. I think as I grew older I also got alot wiser and realized that in the whole scheme of things, MIL was a blip on the radar. Example - new floor laid recently in kitchen, laundry and my office. MIL comes over unannounced/uninvited. Comments how nice the floor looks but the color really isn't right, such and such color would have been much better. Response: This is the color I chose because DH and I like it. End of subject, diffused her. Do I hate that she is the way she is, yes indeed. Will I allow her to abuse me the way she did for years, never again, nor will I have my husband fight my battles for me. Example: I attend a family (DH relatives) shower. Arrive with MIL & SIL. We sit down to eat at a very long table full of women. MIL stands up and introduces SIL to several women SIL did not know. I knew a few, but not many. She did not even acknowledge that I was seated in the room. When she was finished her introductions, I stood up and introduced myself as my DH's wife. It got the point across that I am worthy, whether she thinks so or not. I think she also looked badly to the relatives whom I did know who were watching her intentionally ignore me. I am sorry if my examples seem pollyanna, but they have worked for me. I don't feel badly, insecure, hurt or any other adjective that I formerly felt when MIL would descend on my home or when I had to interact with her. I also have never asked my husband to choose to one of us. That would be wrong in my opinion. As much as dislike her, she is his mother, the only mother he will ever have. I wouldn't want to have to choose my husband or my mother, why would I ask DH to do so? The way I deal with this situation is not for everyone. You need to have alot of self-esteem and a bullet proof vest over your heart. It starts with mostly false bravado, which eventually becomes actual bravery.

Actually, I like a nice green...and it looks a lot better than the blue, with butcher block, IMHO. I love blue, but over the years, I've found it's hard to make it the main color in a room...without going all white and neutrals with everything else. I think it always looks better, when it's with other colors...green, yellow, orange, etc...except in a sunroom, where you can have white wicker, lots of cushions (with the other colors) plants and flowers. Now that's a pretty combination...I think I just described my sun porch :) Well, after talking to my mom (my design guru LOL) I think we've come up with some great ideas! White perimeter cabinets in the main kitchen, with bunny tiles and blue countertops. Blue on back wall of glass uppers to showcase dishes. Green painted island with butcher block countertop. Blue dish cabinet/hutch in dining room...with marble top and white back to upper glass cabinets. In pantry area...blue lower cabinets with shirred fabric all around front (so you'd only see the sides of the cabinets) and white glass uppers, with blue background. White beadboard backsplash. Stainless steel countertops, on either side of white vintage sink with double drainboards. Great for cutting flowers, cleaning vegetables, setting hot pans on, etc. Baking area...white oven/microwave, green cabinet with marble top, closest to oven/microwave. Small undercounter fridge by walk in pantry, with wooden counter above (not so heavy) and a good place for chopping veggies. White cabinet by freezer and white beadboard backsplash, behind baking area. Soft yellow/gold walls throughout both spaces and vinyl 'wood' floors. Fabrics would be with blue, green, yellow, and some lavender, with maybe a little pink, in the florals, with checks, stripes, etc. Probably white banquette, wood pedestal table, white and wood chairs and green buffet table, by window..with wood top. Thought about blue wood stove, but I think black will fit the space a lot better. So, what do you think?

The Moroccean chandelier would appeal to DH but I want something "lighter". Thanks for thinking of it! I happen to like the Edison chandelier too. I'm just not feeling the bronze though I know it would go over my table. Hence, my dilemna I mentioned earlier. Still don't know... can I/should I mix finishes? I do think a wood one would work. Especially since I already do have the bar stools. They were one of my crazy craigslist finds. I paid for all four for half the cost of one and they are essentially new. Just an unbeliveable deal and I fell madly in love with them. Since they will be on the sunroom side I"m hoping I can still put in a slimline couch/chaise whose materials will tie into the barstools. Down here there is a plethora of indoor/outdoor furniture that fits that bill. So now we'll have to bill my home a Mid 20th Century (hey! I'm mid 20th century!)contemporary earthy tropcial touches and a clean line feel! Here's a couple of others I had found and marked. BUt I sitll don't know about them... that's why I need you guys. This one I can get in a number of finishes including SS or Mahogany> This one combines wood, SS, and glass: I had found another kinda similar that the globes were kinda clear with what looked liked reeds inbedded but they were acrylic and I don't knwo how I feel about acrylic. So, jsut to clarify... what about mixing finishes? Crud.. won't imbed. I hate usind DH's computer.. mine is down. Link to the Bellacor one: http://www.bellacor.com/fullsize.cfm?Sku=973606 Link to the other one from Lighting Universe: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/products/view.aspx?sku=2719097

Every color (OK, just to be safe-almost every color) can look amazing when decorated around and styled. I had so many yellow walls in my current place when I moved in-I made it work everywhere (but the master bedroom when the light was different and that very same yellow looked too dark, and drove me crazy until I repainted it). I suggest you live with it a little bit and then decide whether to repaint, where, and to what. I don't know where you live but here we were quoted 5000 paint job for the room with ceilings like yours, and it was several years ago. And you really need a pro for the height like this...ladders and all. You can pick a bit different shade for the kitchen if it bugs you already-it will still flow nicely even if it's different and more neutral..just be mindful of the undertone of that neutral so it doesn't clash with gold everywhere else. I have paler yellow with deeper yellow accents in living and dining, and more calmer and neutral tan in the family room-they work together quite well. The plan is partially open, so all colors are seen at once. These windows are really really cool. Do you plan to leave the build in next to them? I think it interferes a bit with their awesomeness so to say.