I devoured this thread for months and finally went to Lowe's to look at these planks. When I first looked at them in the store I thought they looked so fake and cheesy that I almost gave up, but I brought a few home and set them on the floor. They looked good! It seems that most people have good results as long as they follow the directions really carefully and don't use professionals to install the floor. It also seems that the trouble comes when the climate is really hot or humid. But, just to make sure that we weren't the unlucky ones, I installed it in my entryway first to see how it would hold up on our concrete slab. I pulled up sheet vinyl and scraped off the remaining mastic, used the Henry's and it went down and stayed. I am a dog walker/pet sitter and we board dogs, all different kind of dogs, at our house and we needed something durable and easy to clean and this has fit the bill. I installed it in our entire downstairs myself. Everyone loves it and thinks it's either wood or laminate and several neighbors want to put it in themselves. I've noticed vinyl flooring everywhere now, including high end stores. Thanks to everyone for recommending this flooring and for the terrific tips. Here are a few of my own: 1) Definitely prep, prep, prep the floor. I scraped up mastic and glue from the carpet pad. I didn't use adhesive remover because one site I saw said it may soak into the concrete and interfere with adherence. The key is clean, dry and smooth. 2) The instructions on the box and the Novalis website recommend the self-stick tile primer. It is a must - it goes on really thin and dries clear in about half an hour. 3) Take your time when laying the tiles and get them as tight and straight as you can. 4) I found some walnut wood filler that I used in some of the tricky spots and it worked great. 5) Definitely let the planks sit in your house for 48 hours before installation. 6) I ordered OOPS! Painters wipes which Novalis recommends to remove excess adhesive. They also recommend them to remove the white "scratches" which Novalis calls scuff marks. I found that the wipes didn't work on the scuff marks, but time does. They eventually wear away. 7) I didn't use a rolling pin, but did baby steps on the tiles once they were down. There are a few that I missed and they sound funny. I have not had any scratches from dog's nails, but we did have some from broken dishes. It's not as noisy as laminate, but it is hard - almost like walking on concrete. I love this flooring and am so glad to have put it in. I am a middle aged woman and did it by myself. I took my time and did one section at a time and it came out great! Here is a link that might be useful:

I'm getting the Alterna in mesa stone light gray. I saw it in the store and loved it. I didn't want tile in the 2nd floor bath where the washer and dryer are located next to the bedrooms. I thought it would be an echo chamber with tile and wanted something softer and to absorb the sound. I've bought my tiles but they haven't been installed yet. Maybe next week. I can send pictures then.

I think you need to consult a bag maker too. There are lots of them out there ...or find a tote bag that appeals to you and that is exactly what you are looking for on the outside and maybe partially inside...then have someone make all the extra pockets you need that will just slip down into the bag. Honestly, I cannot even imagine carrying the kind of purse you guys are talking about. When I go out. it's to shop or go out to eat , not for a weekend or overnight and truthfully, I can't fathom having to carry all that "stuff". I recently bought one of those as seen on tv phone wallets for $10 bucks and wear it on my belt.......It's the best thing since sliced bread and serves my purpose exactly. I'm hands free, I don't have to worry about aching shoulders or back..... I took all the straps off and just slip it onto a belt....I am just crazy about it......I can hook my keys to it or slip then into the cell phone pocket if I'm not carrying a phone............

This may sound weird, but what about incorporating some black? Such as painting your built in units black and using some black furnishings to tie in some of the dark points in the slate. I might be off base here but it just might work! Also, the gray/blue on the walls might be pulling some of the purple out in the floors. Perhaps try a warm white on the walls. Good luck!