Madeline616 is planning on using the WZ Ashbury. If you google for this site and the word "Ashbury" you'll find a few threads mentioning it including hers. As I mentioned the other day, the arabesque/moroccan shape is becoming very popular. I read on a couple of tile blogs that the trendiness of them makes designers think they will read "so 2010-ish" in the near future. Bee, don't ask me the names of the tiles blogs as I have read way too many lately. I think its trendy because the shape is something different than what we've seen in a while. The ubiquitous white sub seems "done" now so the arabesque is next in the design world. It's being used all over in design, not just tiles. Katieob was planning on using the WZ in powder blue and even posted asking us to help her feel brave enough to use them. In the end, she went with white subs in a slightly different size because the shape and/or color felt too risky for her. I, personally, love the shape but am also afraid of it looking too dated as a backsplash. True, many things will ultimately date a kitchen. And yes, backsplash tile is relatively easy to change out if you tire of it. But do who really does that? I'm still considering it for the same reason as you. I think it looks a bit vintage and is definitely interesting. Anyway, enough of my pre-coffee ramblings and unwanted opinions. Bee has used it. Madeline616 will use it. If you love it, you should do it too! Then we can all oooh and aaah over it. :)

Oh Thanks everybody. We are over the moon with how everything has turned out. Your compliments are greatly appreciated and humbling. I'll try to answer your questions: "every morning when you walk into it? I would stand there in my jammies with my coffee and just stare at it!" -yes ginabmg, I do exactly that! I look at the light coming in, etc. My family is wondering if there is a problem with me due to the enormous amount of staring and thinking I do! "Where did you get your drawer pulls?" -tikibar--the pulls are from coolknobsandpulls.com. they are Amerock. Mine are satin nickel. Here is the link: http://coolknobsandpulls.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.searchResults&string=53722&submit=Go drjoann, so glad you have made a decision on your range. I can't wait to see when you start your kitchen project. Make sure to keep us up to date. "Wow so pretty and getting ready for company! Can I come over?" debpic1, of course, come on over! So glad you picked up on "the story" we were telling. "prepping for a dinner party". You have a good eye. "are those carrots real?" Of course they are! I had bought a bunch at the farmer's market on Saturday, but by Wednesday...ick. So I ran out Tuesday night and got those at the local grocery store! Go figure! "did you repaint the cabinetry in BM Cloud White? I saw your post in Jan 2010 about the yellowing issue - they don't look cream to me against the white tile. How did you fix that? " overourheads- Well, I seem to have a knack for "design by accident". The paint store played with the formula of the paint I had and made it match the paint on the cabinet in its yellowed situation. But after I painted the crown moulding and light rail (which were added about 6 months after the cabinets were painted) we thought the paint store made it too creamy. So I played with the paint, mixing in a little of "the creamier" Cloud White to the exising non-re-mixed paint. Finally, got it. But no, I did not paint the cabinets again. And how did I get that tile to match? I have absolutely no idea. Total luck. "But why not carry the backsplash up to the ceiling in the stove area?" flyleft, I can tell you came late to this....there were many many many threads about this decision. I had intentions of taking the tile to the bottom of the crown moulding, but after seeing it in person, I decided to end it just below the hood. And the reason for the 1" gap there is just so that we could end it with a full 1/2 tile, rather than pieces. I also like the way the dark color runs between the tile and the hood. "What kind of woven windowshade did you put over sink?" firsthous_mp--that is a shade from JCPenney. The color is walnut, and I did not use the made to measure ones, but the ones I used aren't listed, or at least I can't find them. But right now the made to measure ones are on sale. Here you go: http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=16570b2&DeptID=70751&CatID=70822&SO=0&Ne=5+586+8+1031+580+1028+18+904+949+833&shopperType=G&N=4294953317&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70751:70822 Prill: "How are you liking your dishwasher?", Loving it! Thanks for your help with that decision!

Not sure why it duplicated my post or how to delete it? Lynn2006 - Thanks to beekeeperswife's tips, we used Latricrete's Perma Color in bright white. We had to get it at a local tile store since they don't carry it at Lowes or HD. One bag was $17 on special :) We barely had enough, but mainly because we wasted a bunch in the beginning trying to figure out the best way to grout.

Hi Katie, Demo starts tomorrow, so no pics on progress yet, but I'll post when I have some. I'm working a little bit with a KD, and doing the rest myself with cabinetmaker. KD suggested open shelving like in the inspiration pic (but in stainless, specifically). I think it would stress me out though, lol! Having all of my bottles and stuff right out there (the range area is the focal point to basically my whole downstairs living area). My pantry rarely looks fabulous, and I'd be moving the pantry out into the open. So, I think we'll be making the vertical column things on either side of the mantel style range area into pull-out shelves for sheet pans, spices, small bottles, etc. I considered the open shelving with a pretty display of white bowls and dishes, but then I'd lose the storage space for the stuff I really need at my fingertips. Feel free to email me, too, if you want to exchange more ideas. It's a fun process!