Juno_barks and Gidge816, I think it's certainly worth getting some samples and seeing how it looks. Our first choice was super white and it was actually half installed in the kitchen and then removed. As I recall it had a slightly warmer tone to it than the iceberg but was very similar in terms of movement etc. The Calacatta tile that I used would probably be a better choice than a colder toned marble but again, your mileage may vary depending on your other choices and light etc.

Wow, Treeskate, I was not kidding when I said I heart this thread! Each of the entries has brought big smiles to my face. Just from the content and quality of the posts, I can see we've been needing this kind of focused discussion on the joys and challenges of our particular demographic. Thanks! Some of the advice on things to consider -- like knobs vs pulls, layout and location choices, or sink depth and countertop heights -- become so much more important as one is moving up and on in life. These are not things I would have worried much about even 10 years ago. But I do now! And, thanks, BTW, to Bluekit and Abejadulce and Charlikin for those encouraging back pats. Backatcha! Mustbnuts, I'm sure we are likely kindred spirits in the good food/good cooking universe. (Like I said -- I intend to ramp up my culinary game once this neverending reno is completed.) And, Charlikin, I'm laughin' and lovin' at how you described having the means to afford your reno. That's 'cause, like you, I probably also won't get to retire for another 30 years but I'm determined to have one heck of a Marthavila kitchen before I do. :) Maybe one as lovely as that of Pamghatten! Great thread all. Single (or near single) and over 50(or near over 50)TKOs unite!

Thank you! You have given me a lot to think about (that is why I posted!). Re-reading my OP, it is obvious I am not a very good communicator. If we sell this house, it will not be for 10-15 years. My resale fear comes from the fact that this house sat vacant for upwards of 4 years and the realtor said it was because everyone hated the kitchen and did not want to buy a house for the price the seller was asking and have to go in and do an immediate kitchen remodel. I have a set of plans from a local renowned KD commissioned by another potential buyer. I did not like them because it got rid of the island. Although our kitchen is not big enough by NKBA standards to have an island I really love its functionality. I just do not like the way this one looks. We tried to cosmetically update it by painting it black, adding corbels, and putting on a cherry butcherblock top and it was a huge FAIL. It looks too stripey. So that is why I am trying to find something "timeless" and that will appeal to the masses. I know that eventually we will sell but it will not be anytime soon. This kitchen overhaul will not be an investment. It is for my pleasure alone. I am actually the one who convinced my husband that the kitchen was purely functional three years ago and there was no reason to rush into a remodel. Simply stripping the 90s wallpaper and replacing the plastic wire cabinet pulls and lighting made a world of difference. The most unappealing and dated effects are the awful gray laminate countertops with PVC edging and the soffit above the island that we affectionately call the "Tumor." At one point, we WERE planning to just paint the cabinets the same color as the living room walls (looks a little different when it is semi-gloss) and replace the countertops with granite, but after perusing the beautiful kitchens on this website we decided to go big or go home! Then we decided we really, really wanted an open burner gas range. I still do, but think I could compromise with a 30 inch model as I really only need 6 burners over the holidays. That area below the current cooktop is nothing but wasted space because of the Jennair downdraft (all the rage in the 90s!). I could also fit a 30 in under cabinet range hood. I do not like that look and that is not an ideal size, but again I guess this is about compromise. I could probably even get along with a 30 inch rangetop, but would really like to have the extra oven. Again, only necessary on holidays. I will think about that one and compare prices. Thank you for reigning us in! I had planned to pay cash for the high end appliances and charge the cabs because the appliances would deplete our reserves. You can always get 18 months same as cash at Lowes, so as long as the cabs were under $18K that would be manageable (perhaps I am being naive though since I never actually priced the cabs, but it is not a large kitchen.). Greendesigns: My brother is the most skilled HVAC person in the U.S. and since his wife does not cook, his labor charges are usually only a home cooked meal or two. Just outside this window is my husbands grill porch (we pass food through the window). Gas is piped there, so I do not think it would be too difficult for DB to run it around the corner to where the gas range would be. I am checking with him, though. The ventilation would be no problem for him and make up air can come from cracking the nearby window. Again, maybe I am being naive! Ginny20: Thank you for the info on the butcher block. That is exactly what I was looking for. I went to BN and they already had the Aug This Old House mags out, but I will see if I can order a back-issue of the July mag online. So! Is this a better plan: - Replace cabinet doors only. Should I put glass in any of them? If so, which ones? The local cabinetmaker who installed the current cabinets is still in business so I have sent them an email asking if they can do doors only. That is a great idea and I wish I had thought of it!! They also have a beautiful style of door called Painted Classic that I love. My concern with replacement doors is this silly curved door. Hopefully they will agree to build a replacement since they installed the original. Also there is a lot of cracking. Not sure if it is the paint or the actual wood. I can live with it. Some pay extra for distressing! - Replace 30 in downdraft cooktop with 30 in range or rangetop. Add under the cabinet hood. - Replace sink with ss undermount and ss pulldown faucet. - Replace countertops with antique brown granite. - I will replace the fridge/wall oven/mw only as they fail (we have just had to do this with the workhorse ka dw as parts were no longer available) and not upsize. - Add BS (already have a great tile guy) and paint kitchen Tweed (already have an awesome painter). - Remove tumor. DH can build something less belligerent to mask the area. I can swing this with cash dependent on the price of the cabinet doors. Thank you for your concern and, of course, you are right! In the future, will remove soffits and add crown to cabs. I have already confirmed with the builder/previous owner that there is nothing behind them. Also want to replace the desk area with drawers so it looks more like a hutch. That desk is unused except for a messy drop zone. Thank you again! Michele

Holly-Kay, I can so relate to what you say. One thing I've learned in my MBSR class is just how close the sadness is to the surface for me. Some of it is related to the fact that my entire immediate family is gone, as is DH's. It's been especially hard as 3 deaths were by suicide. The hardest though was losing my Mom with whom I was so close. We also don't have any children so there's no vicarious offset of enjoying their "coming of age" activities be it birthdays, graduations, religious events, etc. I remember being a child and people raving about how wonderful childhood is because you have no worries, and I never understood that at the time. Now that I'm older, I realize it's because you are not emotionally scarred at that age, like you are when you are older. I think that, no matter how old you are, it's hard to say goodbye, and as you get older, there are only more goodbyes to say. One thing I've found is that, when I was working, I didn't have to deal with all that emotional stuff as I was simply too busy. My life distracted me from it. Now that I'm retired and have more time on my hands, the distractions are less and the emotions are more apparent. Rather than try to suppress and distract myself again, I want to face into them and learn to deal with them...thus the MBSR, the meditation, the spiritual introspection. The good side of retirement, however, is there is a lot more time and freedom to redefine yourself. There is time to tend to things like purpose and meaning and spiritual activities. There is a chance at rediscovery...of who you were, who you were meant to be, and who you are going to be. How wonderful that we have the capacity to redefine ourselves...each day being the first day of our life yet to be. Each day brings the opportunity to find our way home to ourselves.