Here's an easy link to Part 1 of the countertop thread.

When you paste in an external link, put it in the 'Optional Link URL' area right below the posting part, and then type a title in 'Name of the Link.' That way the margins won't skew real wide (a lot of people won't read the thread then due to the need to keep scrolling over to read things).

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Here is a link that might be useful: Previous thread

The first two are the colors I put in the two-tone hardware virtuals. The pulls are similar in shape to the pulls I used. Seem to pick up the shape of the first high faucet you posted.

I think I'd work you backsplash out first. Decorative elements you have in there might draw you to a certain shape of hardware. For example, the deco tiles in the diamond/trellis patterned splash of the last virtual have some nice soft curves in there that you might want to repeat in your hardware. Could be an oval shaped knob rather than a round, or a delicate curve somewhere in the pull design (the linked pulls below pick the curve in those tiles up).

Bronze Knob

Rustic Pewter Knob

Brushed Nickel Knob (Valencia)

Brushed Nickel Knob

Brushed Stainless Knob

Brushed Stainless Pull

Brushed Satin Nickel Pull

Brushed Nickel Pull (Valencia)

Just hit the maximize button to make the page larger here. The pic does fit :)

I know this isn't what you wanted to see, but it's all I have right now. I picked up the slate samples -- are you wanting to put the small 1x2 inch tiles all over or a combination of small and 12x12 tiles?

Here is your countertop material shown with one of the backsplash pics I have on hand. I'm showing that one in tumbled marble together with the porcelain and tumbled marble in the virtual, so you can see it with your cabinetry and teapots, glass cabs, etc. What I'm thinking is, the stone is heavy and earthy. I think with what I can see you doing from out here, with all the delicate porcelain and glass pieces and wanting a light, airy feel, the stone doesn't feel right in there. I like your teapots better with the porcelain. I do think, though, you could do a border around the perimeter (like the virtual) in the tumbled marble mosaics to get some of the stone you want to see in there. I think you have enough types of materials going on without making another major one with stone. Just a touch in a border and liner along the counter I think could work, though.

I've also got a little sample of the slate 1x2's at the counter. That material may be a bit rough, though. A tumbled marble look might work in better.

I have tried to find some real life tile selections in a satin or matte finish and it's just so much easier to go to a nice tile shop. Take your counter sample (they may even have them) and a dimensioned plan if you have one and they should be able to help you figure something out. Just go talk to someone at this point -- they usually have people around to help with the design details and layouts.

{{!gwi}}

I kind of thought that slate may look too busy and dark for my kitchen. I seen it work in someone's kitchen in the parade of homes that have the same painted uppers as I do and it looked great. BUT they had cherry cabinets on the lowers so quite a bit darker and a dark countertop so it worked really well for them.

I like what you have done to the backsplash. I will visit a tile shop. I do have just a couple teapots and like victorian or english style but rustic, nature, water is the theme in this area which I love too so I was tryng to incorporate a little of that in the kitchen. The border along the countertop may be able to do that for me.

My mother says my pictures are not good and don't truly represent my kitchen.

Oh I almost forgot again. Yes my stove is here. It is the GE Profile. Brushed nickel faucet seems to work with both applainces. Of course brushed chrome may too but have not seen that one. Shiny chrome, still tempting to bring some shine into the kitchen. Most metal stuff you buy for countertop storage come in chrome anyways so won't be avoiding chrome.

here is sample of chrome and stainless together. It is just a knob but it will show how well the 2 look together.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CABINET-HARDWARE-KNOB-STAINLESS-STEEL-CHROME-2-TONE_W0QQitemZ220153063490QQihZ012QQcategoryZ41974QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think the mosaic border looks great and transitions the counter to the tile very nicely. I'd do the 1" -- the squares repeat the squares of the glass shelves and connects nicely, I think.

Wondering -- How is it that your photo doesn't look quite like the kitchen???

I think it probably just popped out more seeing it in person than in the photo.

I want to thank you again for everything that you have done. It was alot. It sure was nice to see how things would look.

And thank you to everyone else who has helped me along the way.

iwanta~
Thanks for the info on the laminate vs. himac. I'm going to have to really pay attention to quotes from now on, because my head is swimming with all these figures. I was just sure that laminate was our cheapest by a long shot. But, I wouldn't mind putting in a bit more for something else.

Squirrel, as always..you've done a heck of a job on this! And just so you know, if you get that itch again, I'll be needing counter top and backsplash help soon, too. LOL :) And you're just the girl I need to help me with my vision, hehehe. I still have the mock up of my living room you did for me on my desktop :)

Thanks! and your welcome :)

WantaKitchen, re 'natural' - here's an example of some of the beautiful porcelain deco tiles that are out there. If your teapots are anything like the ones I put in, with florals, decos along these lines would tie in nicely. They might even have some birds! Some companies do make matte/satin glazes, too. Sometimes matte and gloss are mixed in a design, which is a very nice and more subtle effect than having all high-gloss tiles, which you had said you didn't want.

This tile is from Walker Zanger, and they also have mosaics in tumbled stone. Tend to be pricey, but there are other companies out there, too.

I thought the trellis would be too busy, but along with the monochromatic deco tiles, it's all very subtle and beautiful, imo. The rim of sparkle around the knobs is a really good idea. So you are leaning towards knobs now?

Do the photo looks less crisp and more muted than in real life? is that what you mean?

No I think she was saying that the woods look so much better and richer than in the picture. She could see the quality better too. And I think the glaze shows up a little better in person too

I am not really leaning towards knobs it just that some of the pictures I sent were examples of "finishes" but did not find in a handle yet.

That is a really nice tile.

squirrelheaven- I was wondering if you could help me with your visuals? I have chosen my hardware and would like to see placement of where to put knobs and where to put handles. Here is my hardware:

http://www.kraftmaid.com/accents/index.cfm?navigationid=534X0&hardwaregroupid=14

I am thinking all handles on fridge side (pantry and cabinet above fridge), handles on drawers, knobs on lowers. handles on
the glass doors next to stove (to seperate) and knobs on the rest. Or all handles or all knobs on white cabinets. I wondered if I could see it these 3 ways. Thanks you.

Hi Wanta! I've taken a pic of your hw and options. Will have to do this later on though as I'm on my way out. I think those are the same ones my mother has -- they have a nice soft, soothing finish which is how your kitchen comes across in the virtuals. The colors look nice!

Oh good! Thank you thank you. Will look forward to it! The hardware is nice. The pewter picks up the appliances and faucet and the copper picks up the red birch on the lowers and the glazing in the uppers. And it is a soft soothing finish. Quite pleased.

squirrelhaven-wanted to let you know that the upper corner cabinet is one door, or at least it opens as one door. So it only needs hardware on the door on the sink wall side. Not one next to the glass cabinet. lazy susan on the bottom same way. On the bottom the little door (cabinet) left of the stove opens right to left, it opens like a door not a pull out. in other words the hardware will be right next to the stove.

Oh dear, didn't see your post ... I think this will still give you the idea. You're right, I was just admiring my mother's hw on Sunday -- it has such a soft soothing finish. Very pretty.

I think these are the combos you were wanting to see. Of course, at this size you can't really pick out the details, just the layout:

{{!gwi}}

Wonderful! Thank you. On the 1st picture I wonder about leaving the handles on the glass doors next to the stove but knobs on the other white cabinets? I thought that might give the glass doors an area of its own? I do like handles on the drawers better than knobs. Also the handles on the uppers does seem to look more elegant than the knobs.

Here ya go! The knobs on the bottom lazy susan area bother me, as the others are all handles around it. I like them on the sink cabs though. I like the knobs on the uppers to the right of the sink. Are there two cabs to the left of the sink that there could be knobs on also? So it would be the uppers flanking the sink and the lowers beneath the sink?

Is that a narrow cab or a pull out drawer to the left of the stove?

cabinet left of the stove is a cabinet door not a pull out, opens on the right (knob next to stove). On the other side of the sink on the uppers is a narrow cabinet and a double door cabinet. On the lower is a 1 door cabinet and a dishwasher.

So are you set?

I wonder about 2 knobs above the vent. Here is a picture of the other side of the sink.
http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2007/08/boo_boo.html
I do see what you are saying about the lazy susan. The handles seem to tie in better. The handle on the narrow door is on the other side.
These visuals have been great. Thanks again!

Happy Thanksgiving Squirrelheaven!

That's so sweet! You made my day :)) Thanks for thinking of me.

Happy Holidays to you and yours also, WantaKitchen!