Hi Straw, I agree that you should wait until your cabinets, appliances and floor are installed before you make a backsplash decision. We did that and it was the best thing, because as muscat and igloochic pointed out, the combination of choices you've already made may point toward something completely different and not be obvious until later. I also have a BlueStar with the island backsplash against a wall and soapstone counters. My original idea was to tile about 1 foot below the soapstone with generic tile to provide the firestop insulation BlueStar requires with the island trim. My DH, the engineer-who-always-overdesigns, felt we needed something beefier, so we used a piece of scrap soapstone behind the range. Our "backsplash" for the first couple of months was Reynolds Heavy-Duty aluminum foil. This took the pressure off from making a final decision until we (really just me) were sure of what would look good. We used a 7/8" glass mosaic with inset stainless tiles from costco.com. While not an engineer, I'm just as geeky, and positively obsessed with symmetry, precision, and plumb. I made a paper template of the entire backsplash area and placed the tile so we would not have to cut any. This also gave me a chance to rearrange some of the stainless and other tiles so it would look more random with no visible repeats. You can see the BlueStar backsplash at the link below. The rest of my backsplash is still painted as I haven't finalized my decision. Warning--I chose this particular backsplash because I wanted a dramatic focal point. Drama is not for everyone. I understand the temptation to go with a dark gray stone with the soapstone because that was my first instinct also. Do wait. Do a search on this site for soapstone and backsplashes to get ideas also. Here is a link that might be useful: My kitchen

Forgot about it! Better check my dvr!

At the least remove the tree against the house. Discard the shutters, use Cultured Stone on the walls of the offset at front, left side and inside porch. Paint the brick! Yep, the whole house. Use Hardi Plank shakes on the front gable. Replace the post with cedar or pine 6x6 posts with brackets slightly cut on an inside curve, stained a natural weathered cedar color. Remove the rocks and paving rounds and replace with a sidewalk from driveway to entry. I would also remove the sidewalk to the street if possible. Kill off existing lawn and replace areas you want to keep as lawn with sod. For the garage doors paint the same color you paint the brick rather than making them a focal point but add an awning or pergola like structure that matches the new porch posts over the garage doors. Front door with 3/4 glass or full glass and a decorative porch light would be nice.

@B F, I went with drawers on everything below the countertop (except under the sink). I will store all dishes in a drawer to the right of the sink along with most glassware. This way I no longer have to hang over the open dishwasher door to reach the cabinet above it! The drawers are my gift to me, well, along with a waterfall edge counter on the peninsula (not in the CAD drawing). I saw dishes stored that way in a Houzz article and can hardly wait to implement it. @chispa you're right about the tile description. I knew I wasn't describing it properly. Thanks for the picture, I absolutely L-O-V-E that look. We have a GC who is very meticulous and his tiler is too. He did a great job on our hall bath upstairs. After seeing your picture I like the look of the white grout so I think I'll end up going with that. I love zellige tile but it's too thick for my wall. This reminds me of it. @Sabrina Alfin Interiors thanks for the suggestion. I have some interesting pieces that we collected while living in Europe. The idea of a groove or flange to help keep everything in place is great. I'm specifically thinking about a round wooden bread board with "Give us this day our daily bread" in Dutch carved along the edge (from The Beguinage in Brugge, Belgium https://www.visitbruges.be/highlights/beguinage) and our fabulous espresso cup set from Rome with orange Vespa scooters on the cups. Going through our goodies for display will be fun! I tried to thank you in the app but it is not responding so thank you for the advice, it's much appreciated!