The POs in our house had been there for 60 + years and were a large and tight knit family. Part of the reason they sold to us was that they knew we were starting a family and intended to stay. They left sheets of colour copied pictures of their family occasions taken inside and outside of the house under a shelf liner in high closet (they left a note with the pics so I know it was intentional). I didn't find it for a couple of years, but we've since used the pics to help us restore the windows, etc. to match the original. Just make sure they put proper headers above the windows and doors. When they tore our house apart, they found they needed to do this because of different construction techniques used back then. When they took over the old plaster, they also had to take off other boards in order to drywall. Those boards had acted in place of headers, but with them gone, headers were required.

This is such a fun process to watch. I've been lurking throughout. Such smart designs that will not only make for a much more functional kitchen but bring light and the outdoors in to the space - which is especially great for a talented gardener/landscaper who always has a lovely backyard. You are going to have to come back to us when you have your "focal point" in the backyard done. You know that, right? I put in a slider and a backsplash window - and when that's all done I'm going to focus on exterior lighting as well as landscaping to make the most out of it. Lighting will help the slider from just becoming a black hole into nothingness at night - and in the dark winter months. It sounds like you are working with a great team, too, which is so important. I need some of that...

I second blfenton - it's just been a day but so much has happened! Really glad the cabinet situation worked out, and it sounds like the shower wasn't too bad either (no need to remove walls or floor). The new tiles look nice. I also would have voted for the flooring on the lower left (and liked the swirly one too.) Things are really moving along. The kitchen looks great with the drywall up on the ceiling and the light streaming in the door. It's going to be so bright and welcoming! Love the kitties! Their personalities just shine through in your pictures and that great print! Thanks for sharing with us!

Hi Carrie! Our kitchen is *almost* finished, and when I was having a hard time choosing color, I went with Farrow * Ball, which has only 132 GORGEOUS options. We chose String #8, which seems similar to the middle of the samples, but a titch lighter. We love it! Of course the photos are wildly inaccurate (the color is much more like the bottom photo), but I love that overall, it reads as a lighter color, but has a depth that is quite rich and not washed-out/pale. Plenty of contrast with our BM Cloud White trim.