From your link describing using the tung oil, I'd go with that. I would stay away from polys at all cost as they are so difficult to repair without redoing the whole thing. I am hoping to do my kitchen floor--don't know what's under the vinyl tiles or the several layers underneath, but the rest of the downstairs is oak--white I presume? I think my trim is red oak--is that possible? My house was built in 1908. I would replace the registers also, but don't go to the expense of the linked site--they seem to only sell ones to fit modern ductwork; check out salvage shops/antique shops...there is one in my town where I've bought a couple registers from their large pile--all the good old cast iron black, some with louvers, some without, but all with varying designs of patterns for the grate. I put in an additional duct to my living room, and absolutely had to have the large register if I ever move furniture to match the one in the open near the dining room doors. Your idea of tung oil has given me another and easier option than sanding insanely and doing smelly chemicals. Thanks!

Thanks, CircusPeanut, for posting the photo. That sink is made like mine, with the rim around the sides and front, so it gives me a good idea of how mine will look up-mounted (not sure that is the technical term) from the counter tops. I've just got one window to work with, so I'm hoping the build out won't be so obvious with a deep window sill over it. I do wish I had thought more about the build-out factor before talking DH into this modification :) I saw Arlosmom's buildout and think mine will end up looking a lot like hers. Thanks for those extra pics you sent me :) Anybody else willing to show pics of buildouts for the sink or comments about the process? Terry

Hollysprings, we are in a low cost of living area, luckily, so I think we can stay under the national average cost. We have the skills and tools to DIY a reasonable amount of the project, and the estimate we get from the builder will probably determine the percentage we plan to DIY. This whole thing started with needing a new roof, so we have also talked about simply building on the square footage we think we will want and using it as a mudroom for a few years, finishing out rooms as the budget allows. Right now we have enough space with just the 2 of us, we simply really, really, really need a mudroom, and our current kitchen is kind of falling apart. The master bed/bath addition is kind of a 'while we're at it' idea, and hopefully we will need it in the not too distant future!

plllog-- don't worry about overstepping-- any advice is good advice. I am coming into this only knowing how to rip down wallpaper and paint (which will come in handy), but that is a pretty short list of remodeling skills considering the undertaking at hand! I appreciate the question about the cooktop-- I was considering a down draft (I realize they are not as efficient as a hood, but a hood isn't an option). The floor joists are exposed underneath in the basement, so I am not sure what is technically involved with running the downdraft vent, but I don't think it will be too hard. (I hope.) I also agree with the short wall-- I have been thinking about it, and I agree that it would be a good idea to extend out the wall a couple feet there so that the countertops and cabinets have a logical end point and it is closer to what it originally looked like. I will wait on the trim until I find something that matches. Thank you ajpl and pickles--I am excited to look at the subfloors. This was something I didn't even think was a possiblity. (p.s. I really liked your kitchen, pickles) As for the vinyl tile removal-- I read that if it is done with the floor wet and you pop off the tiles with a tool that has a huge scraper attached to a long handle (not sure what this tool is called), that you can minimize and asbestos in the air-- then double bag and find a suitable landfill. Some people have told me to just install a wood floor over the vinyl tiles, but I don't know what that does to the baseboard trim. I read that the companies that do this charge an arm and a leg because of the repeated- exposure insurance they buy for their employees. Anyone have thoughts on this? Cleo, I have thought a lot about cork, and it one time was going to go with it, but I have read that it is a little fragile (needs to be sealed a lot and often?)and prone to fading. Also, it seemed like every pattern I liked was pretty expensive. Also, alittle OT, but if soapstone is too expensive, does anyone know anything about stained concrete countertops? Thank again, everyone :)