I love your lights! They are similar to jbrodie's which I have been salivating over and trying to find some for my own island. How did you find them? I've spent the past couple of days pouring over websites but have yet to find something similar for a price within my budget. Are you in Canada?

You must be thrilled - everything looks awesome! I also like your shutters on the windows.

Beautiful!!!! I almost went with the same pendants, but decided on a SS look. The backsplash is going to be beautiful! Can't wait to see pics when it's done.

Love the lights as well as the rest of your kitchen. That backsplash is going to look great!

Wow, those Kichler lights are soooo beautiful Catsam. And the backsplash will give a bit of texture to an otherwise calm, neutral space. Love it.

But what really gets me going, and I'm sure other "current" new kitchen owners can relate, is seeing how your deep sink can fit all those dishes. Phew, gets me everytime! =)

As for stools...would you consider these ones from Crate and Barrel? I think the style would go well with the feel of your kitchen with the corbels (I think that's what they're called), and the schoolhouse style lights, and the cup pulls. For my kitchen, as you know, I did brown stools with chrome legs. Our kitchens are similar in terms of the dark island, dark floors, silver pendants, white perimeters. I think you need a bit of contrast with your chairs and these would achieve that.

Catsam,
I'm so glad you posted your updated pics! I love you lights and your backsplash is going to look perfect with your countertops. There's something about your kitchen, that I just love. I think it's the warmth of your White Down paint and your stained island w/the dark top. Just beautiful.

I love your pendants. And your whole kitchen. Can't wait to see the finished backsplash. I also like the stools redroze mentioned for your space, or the backless spin stools from Crate & Barrel. Of course, I'm biased, since I'll be putting the spin stools in my kitchen.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

mrsmonkey - I am from Canada. I bought these at Union Lighting in Toronto. There was another company with a similar look that were less expensive. Look under for dainolite.ca. The model number is 7035.

redroze - I love those stools from Crate & Barrel. I'm going to go pay a visit and feel the stool out next week. I've seen those stools with white islands but the contrast against the dark island might be what it needs.

chachashea - I love the spin stools too. They are so classic and fun. I think of old style diners.

Decisions! Decisions!

If anyone is interested in the Kichler light the product number 2665PN and the website is www.kichler.com

I also need some punches of colour in the kichen. I was thinking of having a standing order of fresh flowers from DH every week but who am I kidding. Maybe a plant? Any suggestions?

Ooooh, they look great!! It's so nice to see you post again after such a long time. I love your kitchen. I know you posted about symetry in your kitchen. What did you decide? I really think it looks amazing the way it is. It's funny how in the begining you notice everything and think it will drive you crazy, but after a short time you get over it.

I have similar kichler pendants in old bronze, but they don't have the cover on the bottom. I love them and found them at a couple of lighting stores in NJ.

Love the backsplash too...going to look fantastic.

Welcome back!

Thanks positano - I'm focussing on dressing the kitchen with the backsplash, stools and accessorizing and wow, the lighting over the island has made a huge difference. It's like adding another dimension to the space. I'm enjoying this stage because, as you can see, I'm not rushing anything.

pluckymama and all - thanks for all your kind words

Cat, your kitchen looks terrific, I hadn't seen it before. The marble mosaics are going to be great with the counters.

Can I ask you about the upper cabinet that comes down to the counter? I'm in the process of building something similar for myself, but seeing your picture gives me a better idea of how they'll look than my sketch does. I'd like to know the width of the cabinet, and the length from top to bottom. Also the length of the glass doors alone, without the drawers. Sorry to be a pain, but do you know the width of the crown molding? Thank you so much. I'm doing my own kitchen and have not seen most of these things in real life! It really helps me to see photos of what I'm sketching.

Finally, your range hood inspires me too. I was struggling with the angle my insert has, and seeing yours, I realize I'd be happier with having the wood cover go vertically up instead of angling.

Thanks!!

egganddart49 - no problem - the cabinet that comes down to the counter is 31 inches wide and 38 inches high (without the drawers) and the crown molding is 6 inches. The ceilings are only 8 ft high.

As for the hood I like both the straight and angles hoods. I think it just depends on the look you are going for.

Oh my goodness! I love your kitchen ... so gorgeous! I don't remember seeing it before. I've been trying to decide between those same exact pendants that you have and some clear bell-shaped ones. Can you tell me how long your island is? I need 3 pendants too, and I've been worried that 12" wide pendants may be too large, but yours look fantastic!

Can you tell me more about your granite? I have a brown stained island and white perimeter. I put marble on the perimeter but still can't decide whether to put the same marble, soapstone or black granite on my island.

Thanks!

Erika

Hi erikanh - I have been following your kitchen progress and it looks awesome - there are so many features that I admire - can't weit to see the final results. As for your question my island is 8 ft long and 3 1/2 ft wide. The pendants are spaced 28 inches apart from the centre. I was also worried that the 12 inches would be too large but it looks fine.

As for my countertop I chose Nordic Antique Black. It has a leather feel to it and I love it. I chose it because it somewhat resembles soapstone and dones have some veining in it. We also had the edges mytred which gives the granite a beefier look.

Good Luck!

What a testament to your taste. You have come up with a very classic kitchen that has a contempory sensibility to it. I love the carrera, and I'm sure you're going to love it more with each passing year. Congrats to you!