Monica: Are you saying that you have that fabulous Black Galaxy granite shaped like the state of Texas on your fireplace wall? I remember that and I really loved it: in fact, I have told people how cool I thought your fireplace is because of that "Texas." Monica: can you post a link to your pictures? I'd love to see that fireplace again. I often thought of the Texas, or perhaps a "Lone Star" for over our mantle, but I think we're going a little more formal for that look..... but maybe not! Mine had fairly good sized stones (quartz?) that were truly yellowing (Not just a creamy off-white, that would have been nice!) and I don't know why. I don't know if a smoker lived here at one time, or if the stones weren't sealed, or perhaps sealed with something that simply yellowed over time. I don't know if your type of stone will change color over time. Most stone doesn't discolor over time (well, at least in 30 years), so I suspect a sealer-related color change, in my case. I think the stones were gathered from all of the leftovers from the neighborhood since there were so many bits and pieces of small rock interspersed with large boulders. And the hearth was poorly done as well. We still are looking for someone to do the new fireplace, but am I glad to have the old one gone. Everyone is waking up, so I need to sign off. Please post pictures if you can! Thanks. ~Cindy in Dallas

Thanks for all the advice y'all! Breezy, the counters are stainless steel and "Bardiglio" marble (same slab as backsplash). I'm not happy with the marble counter edge as it's huge and doesn't go but we had to have a thick edge to cover some supports and I had to go froufrou to avoid an obvious seam. Looks like something you'd lay a corpse out on, but I hope it'll be fine once I get some junk back on it. I wasn't always planning on moving but a very similar slightly larger house on a much better lot on a less busy street in our subdivision came on the market so we just went for it. Not completely baked, but we like the neighborhood. :) So. Paint and light fixtures and knobs. (The lights aren't quite as blinding in person--they photograph badly.) Pinchme, I know things will get changed. I guess I just don't want to scare anyone! I'm hoping they don't notice all the drawers. People think it's weird if they notice. Peanut's avocado green mixer. You know I want it. Artemis--that's interesting about the fridge. I'll check with a RE agent. When I moved here the sellers offered to leave their large appliances for a low price and we accepted since you DO leave washer/dryer/fridge where I was. And the new place I made SURE the sellers wouldn't be leaving any appliances. The street is a little busy and sidewalk smarmy with pedestrians but not a bad view. Probably opening the blinds or removing and something nice over the top would do. (Note to self: measure windows in new house built by same company same year 3 blocks away.) (I'm really cheap, aren't I?) It's not a first-time homebuyer area so I guess people might be picky. Becky--those are all wonderful! What are you doing this weekend? Wanna come shopping? :) Alku, a leave the paint vote? I do gravitate toward the easiest option. Although, technically, I need a permit to change a light fixture, and technically, it would have to be fluorescent... Good tips, Mtnredux. I will research! The windows do open into a covered porch but do get a decent amount of light. Privacy not so much, but nobody will notice that. :) Thanks, IC. Li'lsmokie, you must be right, right? Swap 'n' stage. I mean, that marble counter is seriously morbid all naked like that. Honorbilt, thanks--the blinds definitely need to be up at minimum. As far as the cabinets, well, next ones will be even better, right? --although I'm not sure the cabinet guy would be stupid enough to work with me again! hehe. Stacy, yeah, it's induction, and it's a brand with no recognition. If it were a Miele or something, at least it would have THAT, but it's a Windcrest which has perfectly respectable performance on paper but what the heck is a Windcrest!? Kathy, thanks for pointing out that it doesn't matter what it looks like in person, it's how bad it looks on a computer! Now I'm totally in agreement with paint. It wasn't quite the right shade anyway. :( I could probably do the tape on the blinds. It does snazz them up. I bought these blinds even before the moving truck brought my stuff to this house because the previous owners had left the windows empty (with a valance) to sell the place. But at night it's like being on a big screen TV in that kitchen. (I have started walking the dog at night to spy on my neighbors' kitchens for ideas. If they don't pull the blinds, I learn a lot!) I have that jar! It has dog food. I can change that. Thanks for the book recommendation--I'll get it. LWOak, good points. A subdued sagey green (is that still trendy?) might work. I do have the blue ceiling to keep in mind. So a nice enameled pot instead of and 80 year old cast iron Dutch oven that is so scary I use it as a Halloween prop? OK. I see where you're coming from. Will accentuating the baking area make it too obvious that the oven is a cheap 27" non-convection single? I really do very much appreciate all this. Thanks so much!

Wow, thanks so much, all! We lived so long in the partial remodel we got so used to rock walls and cherry paneling (and furniture to match). edeevee: it was a challenge to combine all the old furniture without buying too much new (two chairs). We ended up with a lot of warm undertones (derived from the paneling) that we had to try to blend with some grey ones (from the rest of the house). kiki_thinking: I think your wall will turn out just fine. We did a little paint washing on the most offensive rocks, but we also had lava rock in the mix that there was no other fix for. It was messy and cost a whole lot more than expected to fix that wall of rock. After tear down, we were left with a pile of bricks.

Just back in town long enough to drop my DD off at work and thought I'd take a chance to update a bit. At the risk of sounding gushy, I'm still in awe of how all of you took the time and were able to stick in this that and the other thing in such short time. It honestly took me several hours of looking things over and redrawing in order to understand all your suggestions fully - and it's my kitchen (and second reno of it!) Lisa, I'm not discarding the idea of a peninsula yet, but I'm worried it would cost significantly more because of the amount of new cabs needed as well as counter. Really appreciate your drawings and the alternative if needed. We have a peninsula in the condo we are renting and I find it a bit less convenient than the island format. I had a hard time believing we could really fit the range and some drawers there as well, so I went back and re-measured, and it looks like we do (and I'm starting to get a little excited). I also think we will be able to reuse some of our current drawers and/or drawer fronts and not have to order too much new. I think we can also add a shelf where the current OTR is and have our microwave there which means we don't have to order any extra uppers either. Being at the lake and sleeping well for several days in a row helped me to come up with a plan for the island. I may be crazy, but I think I can make it myself. Or at least make most of it myself for much less than a custom island would cost. There is an unpainted furniture store here that will make custom tables. They have a table that looks very similar to my dream island - it even has drawers in the apron. I figure once I have the table, I can do the rest and putting it on large casters like those in the pic, will bring it up to a good height for prepping. This is getting long so I'm going to start another thread with my next question about countertops. Would it look too weird to add a shelf where the OTR is and put in a regular microwave? It would be a big shelf.