Needanap - I told you in another thread that I love your flooring! I've only seen Amtico at Expo, and it costs as much as some hardwood. It looks like you also used a separate strip for the grout line -- isn't that an additional cost? If I could ask, what was your material cost per sf? Did they break it down between tiles and grout strips? What was your total cost, how many sf did you cover? Did you use the installer where you purchased, or did you use your own contact? Could you give me some install pricing help, also? I am strongly attracted to this vinyl flooring and am leaning towards using it throughout my first floor when we complete our renovation. Now that you have it installed, how do you think it would be in other living areas of the house? I'm thinking of mixing the tile look such as yours in the kitchen, powder room and traffic paths, with vinyl wood planks in living and dining rooms. If you don't feel comfortable with these answers, I will understand. Regardless, your finished kitchen is magnificent, and I've saved some of your photos for inspiration!

oofasis, I wish I could give you pricing help on this, but the way the KD worked, the price for the flooring (materials and labor) was all bundled together with the overall kitchen cost. I did not get line item pricing. The KD had my overall budget in mind, and kept the total cost at that (if the flooring I wanted cost more, they suggested less expensive alternatives somewhere else). Their construction manager subbed out the flooring installation to someone they had worked with before, so I have no idea what he charged, but I am sure the "grout" strips added to the labor costs. I did have a general idea that the Amtico was comprable in price to hardwood, and was more than the cork or tile I was considering, but not out of our budget. If I had GC'd this project myself, I'm sure I would know the cost of each item down to the penny, and would have agonized more over whether each thing was worth it.

I like the softness underfoot - much better than tile, and maybe a little nicer than walking on hardwood, which I have elsewhere in the house. It does scuff a bit (my daughter was wearing new black riding boots throught the house) but it cleans up well. The scuff marks take a bit of elbow grease, but for daily maintainance, it requires just sweeping or damp mop (I use a Swiffer wet jet). I never worry about spills or drips. There are tiny cracks between the grout lines and the main tiles, but they don't catch crumbs, and are not noticable unless you bend down and look close. I'm sure the "wood" planks look very nice - perhaps even more natural than some of the "stone" looks. One note of caution: I have noticed some small scratch marks if something sharp is scraped over the surface. I might worry with pets (we don't have any). I guess you could get a sample and see how it holds up against paws/claws.
Good luck with your decision!

Needanap - You and so many others are really terrific people, giving such detailed and informative information to total strangers, just for the asking. Thanks so much.

I really don't want tile or other hardwood when we re-cover our existing flooring. Water issues and just the delicious warm feel of this type of vinyl, in addition to the lack of noise, is exactly what I'm after. There's a similar brand of flooring like Amtico called Karndean that absolutely PULLS ME TO IT every time I think of it, but of course the planks I like are at the top of their line and very pricey. I've been trying to compare prices at stores, and they do vary surprisingly. So do their install prices.

Thanks for your help. See you around GW.

needanap, your kitchen defines "transitional" style, in the best way possible. It's not totally traditional, but not totally modern--it's comfortably in between but with all choices excellently made. What a great kitchen to add to the FKB to show people how to mix styles well :)

Beautiful Kitchen, Needanap!
Question... For your trash drawer, did you install Blumotion slides with your trash pedal or did you use different hardware? We too are planning on Blumotion but have read in various posts that it may not work with the pedal. Any insight?
Many thanks!

I do not have Blumotion on the trash pull-out cabinet. I think you are right - I read on an old post that the foot pedal is not compatible with self-close hardware. I asked my cabinet installer about it, and he also said it could not be done. The trash cabinet just has standard glides. Having said that, I LOVE the foot pedal. I do have Blumotion on the rest of the drawers, and think it's just a fancy gadget - kind of fun, but not at all nescessary. Ironically, I think the trash cabinet is the only place where a self-close feature would be really nice to have. Oh, well, can't have everything, right?

Needanap:

I love, love your kitchen! Can you share the paint color? It's beautiful!

TIA...

Hi Needanap,
I absolutely love your kitchen. It is so warm looking-the perfect place to be. I especially love the tile that you used for backsplash. What are the dimensions of you kitchen?

LOVE YOUR KITCHEN. QUESTIONS FOR YOU. WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR STOOLS? LOVE THEM. LOOKING FOR STOOLS FOR MY NEW KITCHEN. CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND THEM? ALSO, HOW MANY INCHES APART ARE YOUR FAUCET AND SIDE PIECES FROM EACH OTHER. I AM NOT SURE HOW FAR APART THE NORMAL DISTANCE SHOULD BE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. ENJOY THAT KITCHEN...CONNIE P

Hi needanap - I am contemplating opting for your exact caesarstone instead of granite in our new kitchen, but am concerned that it will show everything. With two kids ages 2 and under and friends/family here all the time, it's hard to keep our counters looking clean. How do you feel about your counters now?

Also, we have put in red birch hardwoods this week (just like your cabinets) and I LOVE them...gorgeous!

Thanks in advance for your opinion!
Deb