Lindy, I understand about not wanting to share photos with dust everywhere. :op The wait has been well worth it. he, he Thanks for the stone source. I forgot you were on the west coast. Our new house is in N. AL. Yes, maybe "neighbor" Allison will share her source. For the price of the suppliers stores that I was in, you'd think they'd have had the chiseled travertine. Maybe they did and didn't realize I'd be interested in it. There was so much to choose from, I think my eyes were glazed over before I even got there. Anyway, I'm glad you shared, because I definitely love that worn-edge look. It's perfect for our "worn" feel we are striving to achieve in the new house. Yah! Feel free to share photos when you get it all "prettied up". I can't wait to see more photos of your house!

msrose: the Taj majal is gorgeous and right in line with everything I am drawn to for my countertops (I am also remodeling my powder room which also has the travertine floors). So, I think my travertine is the same as the one you are considering. We installed it about a year ago. I absolutely loved it until I started planning my kitchen and powder room remodel. I, too, considered wood as my alternative, but ended up with travertine because of 1) cost and 2) pool. The kids are constantly running in the house dripping wet. Regardless, at this point, I honestly wish I had chosen wood. It is sooo much easier to coordinate countertops, paint, and backsplash tiles with. In addition, I have read on numerous design blogs that the travertine is associated with the tuscany look which is trending out. I am not a trendy person, but we will likely only be in our house for another 8 or so years and need to be considering resale value. With all this said, I love the warmth of travertine and still think mine is beautiful. I will post a link for you in a mintue from a color expert regarding travertine that you might find helpful. Best of luck!

msrose: I think you made a great choice with your floors, and other things. I really like your backsplash! You and others on this thread have me re-thinking tile. I've never had a tile floor of any kind. Anywhere. They scare me. I've only ever had vinyl in a kitchen (and asbestos tiles back in the day). DH would like tile and I've been holding out for vinyl in some form. But we were told that the LVT we've chosen is about the same price as some tile, so maybe I should take a better look. itsallaboutthefood: I was reading this on my laptop on my lap, blue merle aussie on the ottoman beyond my screen...I had to do a double take when I got to your post. jellytoast: Do you have a reveal thread or pics in general anywhere? We're doing natural cherry cabinets. We considered seafoam granite and currently have mesquite on hold. It's got a similar tone (in spots...also more white) but a different look. I'd love to see your cabinets with your granite.

The first house I lived in was on the Salt River Indian Reservation in AZ, just a wooden cottage raised up on concrete footings. Some years later - my Mom and Dad bought a brand new rancher in Phoenix- this was late 50's when the 6 story Westward Ho Hotel was the tallest building in Phoenix. Our house, as most were in the area, was a pink cinderblock built on a polished concrete slab. No two story homes or basements. The older areas had a few 2 story homes but that wasnt the norm,that was old Phoenix money or the Wrigleys! We had vinyl tile, popcorn ceilings and wool avocado wall to wall in the living room.Later shag rugs in the bedrooms!( pink and red for me!) When I was a teen we had a decorator that chose traditional furniture with a mediterranean Spanish flair and used pecan wood tables.All of the windows had WTs that would keep the sun out. Some people used to foil over their windows.I never heard of a roller shade until we moved back east to MD. Also never encountered stairs, except in the old Montgomery Ward store which was a story and a half balcony! I think we leaned traditional with a Spanish flair because my Mom grew up in a huge Victorian with land in the Maryland countryside and my Dad grew up in a big house in Mass,in a clapboard center hall colonial. I still live in MD in a small colonial revival house built in 1923. My taste has changed from Colonial Williamsburg to "cottage whatever". I think it is more comfy for us. and vintage thrift stuff mixes well with family pieces -the real colonial antiques and the victorian antiques. My neighborhood is mostly colonial revivals, quite a few Queen Anne Victorians as well as some gothic victorians. There are also quite a few 4 squares. Most all of the houses were built in the 20s with a few in the 1880s. Traditional decor seems to be the norm and seems to be age related- Potterybarn-esque for the younger crowd to Wiiliamsburg traditional and a couple -make- you -gulp Victorians( and not in a good way) Unfortunately the trend here in the last 10 years has been huge great room add ons- so you have many houses built in late 1880s early 20's with monstrous things sticking out the back. Definitely not in keeping with the vintage of the house. Inside, these rooms are beautiful but lack the charm that is found in the rest of the house.Crossing into the great room is like entering another country, one that has little to do with the rest of the house.Looks like they all use the same floorplan. Predictible. Talk about stereotypes, Aunt Jane and Lynne no offense, but when I was growing up, to us Arizonians ya'll were Easterners to us! Bit of snobs we were. Still am as far as Mexican food! LOL I equate the Kokopelli Southwestern style of decor with the big hair of the 80s! Never saw any of it growing up in AZ, just in the East and thought who are they fooling with that fake stuff?