parts-I did not use a light rail. With the tape they go up pretty flush so you don't need to. Plus, my KD had contractor mount them on the front rail so that they are even less likely to be noticed and they tend to light the mid-back of the counter better - which seems to work nicely bc overhead lights get the front part of the counter. I've attached a picture so I think you can see what I mean. However, I will say this...when I'm in the DR, I can see the undersides of the cabs a little. It drives me a little batty. So I'm thinking about getting the paint matched and slapping a couple coats on the underside so the cream view doesn't get broken up. (I don't know if that will help and I plan to ask KD before I do it, maybe it's a terrible idea?!) So I don't know if a light rail would have helped to cover that issue? Yes, they are full overlay. However, this is probably one of the places where a cab line a step or two up would have been better. There is def a small gap between cabs. Completely within reason for the specs given, but bigger than I have seen in other more expensive lines. Doesn't bother me enough to have spent more for less gap, though! :)

Colickyboy, I studied this in college. The home you describe could be very close to the stickley style within the craftsman umbrella or really the mission era. Homes built around the 1900s had natural woods such as maple and oak on the floors. Stains were medium not dark but that does not mean dark was never done. I am sure there was one person on the planet who painted their floors a dark green or dark brown in 1911. But this was not the norm for this period. Knotty pine or wide plank wood floors also fit that time period. A great on line source for information is.... http://www.oldhousejournal.com/stowicism_the_legacy_of_arts_crafts_builtins/magazine/1572 I would ask do you want to follow the history of your home or do you want to create your own style? Go from there on what color you want for your floors. And the advice to talk to a realtor is good but keep in mind that if you plan to stay for more than 5 years you should make your home what you want. You are going to live there and unless you are doing something nasty (purple and orange polka dots with puce green) make your home a place you love. A house priced right will sell in any market. Priced right. As for Dark floors making a kitchen smaller?? Not at all. I used to believe this but not anymore. Dark floors are beautiful and can actually create a sense of space because it is a flat surface. Dark walls all around you might close in on you but a floor does not do that. Here are some images of traditional craftsman floors... Wait I should say updated for modern times of 2010 Thomas Conway Craftsman And here are two photos of dark floors. This one below is Spanish Mission style in the Arts and Crafts period. The one below that is not craftsman at all but it shows dark floors in a small kitchen. It can look lovely. Spanish style Mission River Rapids Paint by Ralph Lauren I don't think I helped you decide. Sorry. I just wanted you to see there are options that look beautiful either way. Make your kitchen a place you love to be in. ~boxerpups Here is a link that might be useful: Blog of a craftsman home with dark floors

Here's the latest. I love the Dior Gray and Pigeon Gray. Thanks anntique for that photo of the room. I was leaning towards the darker of the two, the Dior Gray, but I'm worried it might be too dark (I want to use it on the walls that are now lighter gray in the photos) and put the pigeon gray on the fireplace wall. But after seeing that photo, I wonder if I should go with pigeon all over and dior on the fireplace wall, and then in the foyer. Too many decisions and not enough daylight time at home to decide. I'm worried that the darker walls will make the room(s) look too long and narrow. But I love the way the floor lamp next to the green chair shines with the Dior gray behind it. As you can tell, I'm not afraid of dark colors, but I don't want to turn the place into a cave either. I did investigate getting a sample of the pewter mug at 1/2 strength, but there are no samples in Pitts. Paint, so I would have to fork over $22 for a sample. I think that the 2 colors I'm working with are really nice. I just don't know how to use them. Regarding the fireplace, it's real. Although it is only gas and even though it has a blower, it has a label that does say "for decorative purposes only"....no wonder why it makes the room colder. We have actually turned out the pilot light on it and don't even use it. We might replace the insert with something that is more efficient. As we are approaching the empty nest stage, it would be nice to be able to just warm up that room after work and not the entire house. I have the mirror there because the fireplace is extremely hideous and I just can't look at the yellow brass one more second. I think we are going to paint it with high heat paint so it just "goes away", but we'll see, maybe it WILL just go away and be replaced! I posted yesterday in a separate thread about the fireplace wall--If I do the lighter color see that Julianna Moore link above, does anybody thnk I should then paint the fireplace a darker gray to contrast? Maybe the white would look good. I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me on this. Thanks

Waterproof? It keeps the wine in the bottle pretty well :) Cork is absolutely waterproof, the problem is when it's adhered to something that's not, as in laminated cork tiles. The middle is generally some sort of pressboard which will expand if soaked. However solid cork tiles will not absorb water, it may get between the tiles which why sealing is recommended. We glued solid cork to the sub-floor, the dogs water dish sits on it, it's always wet around it, no problem. This post was edited by Mistman on Sun, Sep 7, 14 at 18:22