Okay, here's a possible alternative way to get you these photos in one go. Let me know if it works! Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket of C2 Lovo and Benjamin Moore Aura Paints

i think that what they meant by only having regal in oil is the tinting system. regal uses an oil based tinting system while aura, natura, and ben all use the same acrylic color lock tinting system. as for ben paint it is a great paint and at a good price. with the color lock tinting system the hide is great due to the molecular make up of the tints. as the paint dries the tint molecules lock and iterlock forming a clean uniform paint film when dry. i have used aura natura and ben. don't be mislead by the fact that ben is the least expensive one of the bunch. aura is not easy to work with has a tendency to sag and run and does not dry any faster than regal. nor does aura cover in one coat. ben on the other hand is easy to use dries fast and has a durable hard finish. The marketing for aura has been aggressive and misleading. what makes aura different from regal is the tinting system. Acrylic versus oil. ben uses the same exact tints that aura uses. ben has the same hiding capabilities as aura at half the price. as my paint rep said to me ben is the contractors aura. it is green and it is good. in san francisco where i paint the decorators are now using ben. go figure.

Oooh, that mamadadapaige is so smart! As I was reading through this thread and enjoying every photo my first thought (at the reclaimed encaustics) was "wonderful!" and then I saw your inspiration and I thought "fabulous!" and then I saw your proposed tile and it left me a little flat. My initial thought was that the white and charcoal simply have too much contrast, while the tile colors in your inspiration photo don't contrast too much -- a la Goldilocks, they're "just right." Instead of charcoal / white could you do rust / cream tiles, being really true to the inspiration photo? I think what my eye was drawn to in the inspiration photo was the border, or rather how the border fixed the look, the way a picture sings when it's been appropriately matted and framed. Anyway, mamadadapaige said it much better (and sooner) than I, but I guess I still wanted to say "me too!" You have such incredible materials in that kitchen (that quartersawn oak is so yummy!) -- I'll be looking for more pictures from you.

Answering questions: Drawing not correct - trash can fits perfectly there. KD just left - we decided to make the small cabinet next to trash a 3 drawer stack. Sink cabinet will still be blind corner - it's where I store extra paper towels. Thinks in existing cabinet can go elsewhere - even in one of the drawers if I decide they still need to be next to sink. Other narrow cabinet is a blind corner with drawers next to it on refrig wall. I use that blind corner to stow things I need every year or so. I would not want to trade built in dog food drawer for a Super Susan. I can't wait for that drawer! I need the upper blind corner for extra crystal stemware. Works like a charm! Remember, I'm old and now vertically challenged. I only put on top steps things I rarely use and are easy to get down while coming down a small ladder I keep in the kitchen. My present cabinets are 33" tall - new will only be 36" as I only have 8 ft ceiling. So I'm really gaining no extra storage - they'll just look better going to ceiling with no soffit. Cabinet 24" next to stove has top drawer with built-in spice holder (rev a shelf cut to size). Cabinet below has an internal pull out drawer for pot kids and extra pot holders. Below that are multiple slow start for trays/cookie sheets etc. it also holds my bottle of dry vermouth for cookin! Next to it will be the Rev a Shelf 7" pullout for utinsels etc, then 29" stack of three drawers. i would rather have cabinet space than food pantry next to refrig. I'm ending up with two 36" cabinets, plus a drawer in a drawer for canned goods. That's more than I gave now and I'm not lacking space! What I wish would magically appear is room for more dishes - I am the Dishes Queen. I'm hoping one of these drawers can be used for a few plates. Right now, the refrig drawer extends 2" beyond countertop. I will gain it on one side but lose it on the other. I'm used to the 24" - only gave 25" between stove and countertop at back door. No one has ever had a problem and we gave some tall/ big guys in our family. Fortunately, no one is grossly obese or it would be a big problem in many places in this house! Weird size cabinet on wall at right angles to the sink was custom designed by me. I literally laid things out on brown paper! It is 36" wide, by 21" tall by 8" deep. It holds everyday glassware and mugs...perfectly. It can't be deeper or it would extend beyond the frame of the bay. It is actually centered on the wall (or as closely as possible with wall phone I still like having). Why is it so short? First, I don't need more glass space - couldn't reach it if I did - and on top, I gave a small collection of antique copper (newly polished and lacquered) that my mother collected when I was a young child, usually hauling me along. Huge sentimental value plus it warns up the neutral colors of the room. No other place in house to display it. Someday, I'll find the perfect antique hanging cabinet but in 32 yrs, it has yet to show up. I've tried to keep the area around the sink light and open. If I didn't gave two dogs, I might gave put open shelves there but not anxious to gave to wipe dust and fog hair off a glass when I reach for it, it would look "heavier" if it went to the ceiling. KD will Fax order tomorrow so it's now a done deal. I've learned SO much from this process!