Thank you so much for posting pictures! We too are doing a mini-remodel, which includes keeping our cream cabinets but replacing Corian with titanium black granite (which we just love). The Hubbardton Forge lights have been ordered, for the most part...now the discussion about backsplash has begun. We also have a small space over the stove, and I didn't think we could do any sort of medallion design....but seeing yours makes me think again! And the color is perfect, with just the right amount of accent. I'm one of those people that just can't visualize design...I need to see them. This helps so much! And it is so nice to see a kitchen that is actually used! I see so many pics of kitchens with nothing on the granite countertops other than the barest of essentials, and I wonder, how do they live? I have friends that bring out the toaster and coffee pot from under the counter everytime they need them...we just don't have the time or energy to do that!

Here's the best thing about it: after shopping for white subway tile and finding many choices, we went with the american Olean tile at Lowe's . The field tile was 26 cents each and the chair rail pieces were $3.50 each! The labor was expensive because the walls had to be rebuilt,but we would have had that expense regardless of the type or cost of the tile. There were more expensive options, and some of them were fabulous, but we achieved the exact look I wanted with these! Happy dance! :)

So sorry I missed the latest round of responses and questions! I'll attempt to catch up with replies here: @farmgirlinky, I also am conflicted about whether I might have preferred more contrast in the grout. I'm perfectly happy with how it turned out, so it's not enough of a conflict to make me want to change it, but I sure did like the look with the darker (pre-grout) lines. @sandesurf, thanks! I practically designed the whole kitchen around a display spot for that pear. My mom happens to be friends with a lot of incredible artists, and one of them made the pear for her just for fun. I have crassly told my mom many times that she'd better leave that pear to me when she died. Well, about a year and a half ago, she moved in with us, so thankfully, she didn't have to kick the bucket in order for me to get the pear. :) @sudhira, the tiles are Seneca Satins. The color is "lambswool" and, as you can see, there is a bit of variation since they're handmade. We are very pleased with the quality, but I have to say that the wait was ridiculous. When the woman at the store called as I was ordering, she was told they would ship within three to four weeks. Twelve weeks later, they were actually shipped--no explanation, no apology. @newbieremodeler, the prep sink is a Ticor S805. The bowl size is listed at 13" x 16-1/2" x 7-1/8", and this has worked out perfectly for us. It's big enough for anything we've wanted to prep, but it is small enough not to take up the whole island. We have been very pleased with it. The faucets are both Kohler Vinnata. The prep sink has the "secondary" size, and the main sink has the "primary" size. The difference is just enough to matter. @louisianapurchase, I don't know if I'd call the rest of the house "great" but it's quirky and different, and it certainly suits us. Here are a few really terrible quality phone pics of the living room and sunroom. When you see the ceilings in the rest of the house, it becomes clearer why we chose the ceiling we did for the kitchen.

Thank you all, really appreciate your kind words! MareLuce, the range is a Frigidaire Progessional Slide-in Range. I love the look of it, but I am not thrilled with the cooking surface, it is much harder to keep clean than my Thermador cooktop was. Greenhaven, it is not induction, missed the mark on that one! A2gemini, the subway tile is From Daltile, the color is Bone. The frame is polished travertine. Lov_mkitchen, the spice rack is three 6" x 15" bamboo organizers I got from World Market. I also got the bottles there and cut the vinyl labels myself. I used a hot glue to glue the trays together and my husband is making a frame for the front as well as lips for shelves. As it is, it is not very stable, so it needs a wider base. Other than that, I love it! It holds 24 of my most often used spices with enough room to get them in and out easily. In this close-up photo, I have the jars turned to the side because I moved it to the big counter so my husband could take measurements, normally the names are in the front. I looked for a spice rack for 6 months before finally giving up! Spice Jars http://www.worldmarket.com/product/spice-jars-with-red-ceramic-lids-sets-of-6.do?&refType=&from=Search Here is a link that might be useful: World Market Bamboo Tray