The kitchen is 12' x 19'6" and is open to the family room which is about 14'x 18'8". We have 2 recessed lights over the fireplace in the family room, as well as 3 various lamps and 2 windows. There is a bay window in the kitchen and patio doors, as well as a window over the sink, so during the day we get plenty (sometimes too much) light. At night it's a different story. It can be pretty dim sometimes. We only have 200 watts above the table right now, and the big old ugly flourescent light box (4) 40 watt tubes, in the center of the room, and a flush mount fixture over the sink (2) 40 watt bulbs. So over the table we would be gaining 160 watts with the new fixture, 20 watts with where the light box currently is (although I don't know how a flush mount with 180 watts compares to flourescent tubes that are 160 watts) and also gaining 20 watts over the sink. I don't think we are going to do under cabinet lighting, because our budget is really dwindling. Would UC lighting be very helpful? If so, I may reconsider. We just don't want to keep adding extras we won't recoup when we move in a couple of years. BTW, if anyone has an opinion on the brushed steel vs dark bronze (which looks almost black IRL), I'd love to hear it. (SS appliances with some black on them, ss sink, brushed nickel faucet, probably satin nickel cab hardware, and 2 interior doors with antique pewter levers). I could always look at some other fixtures. I've seen some that I didn't like quite as well, but could get 500 watts over the table and 300 watts in the center of the room. Would this be a better option? Sorry, I'm all over the place on this. I hate pressure to decide quickly!

Threeapples- Getting a designer is a great idea! You're building an entire home (not just remodeling one room) and you'll have so many decision to make! A designer can help keep you on track with your construction schedule, as well as assist in pulling together the different choices you've already made. Right now, I don't think you have too many finishes in your kitchen...and I would say you have a very good idea what you like and what will work, in your space. You posted this question because you're having doubts about using the marble on every countertop...and I think you're right. But, as Athensmom said, even designers get help with their own homes...because we all tend to second guess ourselves. Best of luck, on your search for a great designer :)

Michelle16, your island counter could not be any more gorgeous! I absolutely love it! I am trying to remember what I tested for etching...it's been a few weeks and my brain is mush from all of these counter options. I know for sure that the superwhite etched and I thought the macaubus etched also...I could be wrong on that as I'm just going from memory and not going down to pull out my samples to check. The piece of calacatta I had was one that I grabbed from the showroom myself and it does not specify whether it's a marble or quartzite so I'm wondering if it was a marble instead... The place I went to today had some calacatta quartzite that looks just like yours at one of their other locations. I may have them transfer it here. You seem to be quite happy w/yours. I also like the Princess White and the Superwhite Extra that I posted above. I even considered having Clearstone applied to the superwhite. The superwhite is a lot cheaper and it would probably even out if I decide to go that route. Mgoblue85, I've been to Universal (Madison Heights), Mont (Farmington), Ciot (not sure what city...Coolidge & 13 Mile), and then T&M. They all had their positives and negatives. I believe that Universal and Mont both had the stone you are looking for if it doesnt work out at T&M. Of course I would call before I went to make sure. That's a really beautiful stone. Good luck!

Sometimes there is enough cable slack for the electrician to turn the box sideways/horizontal and move it close to the countertop. No junction boxes needed for that. To further minimize the appearance there are specialty colors for receptacles and matching cover plates, you can probably find a gray that looks neutral and inoffensive against the tile. Brands like lutron or levitron or legrand have different grays - cool/warm/dark/light.