I love the coriander. We've been considering that color for our counters as well, but I think we are now looking at the Caesarstone "Champagne Limestone" or "Buttermilk" instead. The coriander looks a little lighter to me but it really depends upon the stain on the cherry cabinets and the color of the cork. Can you post any pics of your other choices?

NervousNancy... Our pendants and DR chandelier are Murray Feiss and I purchased them at EXPO Design Center (owned by HD). There are 2 finishes...ours are in Antique Pewter. There's also a Grecian Bronze (similar to ORB, I think). The DR chandelier isn't very big b/c our DR is small. They do have larger chandeliers, if you're interested in those as well. P1095AP - 1-Light Morningside F2050/5AP - 5-Light Morningside Our faucet is the Kohler Vinnata® Kitchen Sink Faucet (K-690) in Vibrant Brushed Nickel with the handle on the right. The handle location is adjustable: it can be on the left, right, or middle...it's up to you. The nice thing about being adjustable is that if you don't have enough room behind the faucet for the handle to work properly, you just mount it in the front. We bought it at FaucetDirect.com. There are 8 finishes and it comes in 2 sizes (main sink, the one we have, and prep version (K-691), which is a couple of inches smaller). We love our location as well! Actually, we're on a 3-acre lot w/a street on the other side of the berm in the back then a horse farm/farm under agricultural preservation. We do have neighbors...across the street from the front yard and on either side of us...you just can't see them from our back windows! Plus, we planted a double row of evergreens on one side to block the NW wind that also blocks our view of that house (to the right). Our neighbors on the other side planted a row of pear trees so we didn't feel we could plant evergreens there. But, they're farther away so it's not a big deal...plus we have nice neighbors! Looking at the pictures again, I just realized that those are the pics taken before I cleaned the granite! So, it still has the granite dust on them from the work they did when installing the sink side. (The other side is not done yet, the granite is just placed on the counters, not aligned or secured. We're waiting for a replacement for the cabinet they damaged when they began the install on that wall.) Good luck on your choices & welcome!

paulineinm's kitchen is amazing and is my inspiration picture..My husband looooves the apron front farmhouse sink..I explained because we have chosen laminate we may have to consider something else i.e. American Standard Country Sink. I wonder what wall paint color Pauline chose!! I can't thank everyone enough for all your feedback. I love BossaNova's carriage house kitchen as well. suzannesl also blfenton:We are hoping to keep our budget in reign to make sure the french doors are a possibility. I am glad you like the dark color laminate afterall. Steph2000..Thanks for your feedback and I can't wait to follow your kitchen progress. If you have time please forward a mockup it would be helpful. colorfast: We are chosing Starmark cabinetry. Great idea about the window..in the meantime in the newest Better Homes and Gardens magazine with a kitchen of similar style with a display ledge/shelf above the window to balance out the neighboring cabinets and molding.

YES! You can mix counter top materials in the came kitchen. I don't have anything against mixing counter top materials in any kitchen. Countertop selection should be a mixture if servicability. asthetics in design/color, and quality. Mixing high grade butcher block and plastic laminates is never satisfactory, but your suggestions of Ceasarstone, Silestone Quarts, Corian, Granite or Marble mix very well with Butcher Block. Servicability comes in second. Butcher Block is a good choice surrounding the cooktop as it will handle a hot pan inadvertinly set down where Corian will damage easily. Corian is a thermal plastic material and will melt and scorch from the intense heat. All of these materials are ideal for use around wet sink and prep areas as they do not absorb water causing discoloration, rotting and the dreaded mold of numerous varieties you don't want to tangle with. Wood tops, (butcher block), can be sealed successfully against moisture intrusion, but must be maintained judiciously. Around the cooktop however thorough cleaning and reoiling the surface with a food grade oil will keep it beautiful for years. Bartop finishes can be a pain to maintain as they can be scratched easier than you think, and repairing chips and gouges in the surface can be disappointing. I hope I haven't put anybody to sleep with this, but like most comments here to your original question this only my opinion. The backsplash should be kept consistant on both sides of the kitchen. That said, having a tile mural centered over the cooktop works very well. Make sure any grout between the tiles is sealed with future sealing maintainance each year or after any severe cleaning. Consider having a window with a country or ocean scene painted and sealed against grease & dirt over the cooktop for added flavor.