I like your picture "a kitchen I like". It's actually very similar to the one your husband likes cabinet-wise, so I think that one is pretty close. Is there something about that one he doesn't like?

DH is already getting a log cabin and log ceilings...so he needs to give you a little freedom (especially if you're responsible for design) and let YOU make some choices.

I think the white or the gray (or a combination) would look very nice. I like the white kitchen with gray island (above) and would choose backsplash and countertops to pull it all together. I actually like that in the same picture, the countertop and backsplash seem to be the same material. What do you think of that idea?

As for the island, if you do choose a gray, you could do the same countertop (but I think that's boring...although it's a popular choice at GW) so I'd go with a different countertop. If you're going with something low key on the perimeter, pick some gorgeous granite. Or if you're choosing granite for the perimeter, maybe try a wood top.

There are so many choices...but pay attention to what appeals to you (as backsplash especially) in your inspiration pictures. So many people seem to find the countertops and then struggle with the backsplash. I'd try to find a backsplash you like, before you start any work on the kitchen. Take you time and settle on a kitchen that works for you and that DH will be okay with...but tell him, those who do the shopping/research get to make the choices! :)

I think you're good to go with the painted shaker cabinets in grey and/or white. If you can get samples of your materials, especially flooring, you'll be able to pick out the perfect colors for the cabinets and tell your husband it's the same color as the kitchen he likes. :)

The thing that your inspiration kitchens lack is any dark tones that would lend them depth. They are kinda flat because of that. I would do either the island in a dark tone, or do the perimeter counters in a dark tone. The counters would win out in my book because dark horizontal surfaces move your eye about the room and actually make it look larger. Dark vertical surfaces are stopping points for the eye and grab a lot of attention and have a lot of visual weight.

BTW, he does NOT get to give you the job of designing this house with no help at all. This is YOUR house too. For maybe 1K, you could find a designer who would help you to develop a cohesive color pallet and design look for the house. Then you just steel yourself to not choose anything outside of the design box. It would be money WELL worth spending to give you the confidence to choose things correctly. There is nothing worse than trying to pick out bits and pieces to make a whole if you don't have any idea of the vision of the whole from the beginning.

Lavendar_Lass ~ Thanks for bringing up the backsplash. I like white. I actually really like Bee's beveled arabesque but I'm afraid that it may not work with rustic. My other favorite backplash is plain white subway with white grout. Would that work? I'm planning a chimney hood and I like the look of having the tile run all the way up the wall.

I'm so glad that you all agree that the painted cabs will work! SO many log structures have wood cabs and I think I will have enough wood in this house.

We're pretty set on a composite stone for counters. My opinionated DH says "no" to wood counters. I'm not a fan of granite (probably because my current kitchen has hideous granite TILES for counters)

Palimpset ~ It was the 2nd picture that DH didn't like (Sally Wheat's). He said it was too dark.

Flooring samples are on the way!

Thanks for the replies!

holly ~ I will work on him wrt the designer. I have very strong likes and disk-likes and I guess I'm also afraid of hiring a designer and then not liking the result. Thanks for the tip about including some dark...I was contemplating going dark grey (like charcoal) for the island. The only dark countertops that I like are soapstone.

The last three kitchen inspiration pictures are beautiful. I think white and gray painted cabinetry would look fantastic. Alternatively, I think a soft green would be nice as well. I absolutely agree that painted cabinets would look best in a home with a lot of wood.

My aunt and uncle own a post and beam log style house and it's really amazing. I hope you'll share pictures as you proceed.

The two kitchens that your DH does like have a lot of windows and thus a lot of natural light. Will you be planning for some large windows to bring light into your kitchen?

Prickly- Good point, about the windows!

Holly has a good idea, about the darker countertops. If you like soapstone, why not use it on the perimeters...and maybe marble or wood, on the island? A dark walnut would look good, with the right shade of gray, IMHO...and marble always looks good with a complementary gray!

We'll have 1 large 6ft long window at the base of our U shaped kitchen. Overall, our house has lots of windows, so I hope we have plenty of natural light.

What should I do for a backsplash? Plain white subways? I feel like the logs will be the main feature of our house so I want most of my fixtures to be relatively calm.

I never considered soapstone counters before I found GW, but I've really liked all the kitchens that have them, especially those with painted cabinets. I do love the look of marble and wonder if Cambria Torquay would be a good choice?

Another kitchen that I like.

I have a tricky DH to work with. He is very opinionated, but not really into planning the finishes...
I have one of those too. Sending good thoughts your way. ;-)

I find that pulling ideas from this forum, and then showing them to him, helps us to talk about ideas and reach some general agreements with less stress. Mine is one of those who "knows what he doesn't like" when he sees it, but isn't keen to do the work to figure out how to make it better! :-)

Even with good windows you will also need good artificial light. Don't skimp on it! A log home is usually pretty dark after sundown because of all of the dark wood. You've got t be able to see what you're doing in the kitchen on cloudy days and at night. Get an electrician involved now. I don't have experience with how to do recessed lights with a log home, so you NEED to be talking with someone local who DOES. You will also need undercabinet lighting, and you probably want a pendant above the island and maybe a smaller one above the sink. Lighting (and general electrical) design is critical in a log house because of the difficulty of running the electrical in solid logs and the inability to change your mind later without having to run some pretty ugly surface wires. Get a quality electrical firm on board NOW at the design phase! It will save you a lot of grief later.

mudhouse ~ Sounds just like my DH. I have to choose my battles wisely. ;)

GreenDesigns ~ I know you're very right about the importance of lighting. DH's best friend will be the electrician in charge of our project (through his company). He's been involved since the design phase and we've already had many discussions about lighting. Our kitchen ceiling will have drywall between the logs so recessed lighting won't be a problem.