Well, it takes courage to post anything here and open yourself up to comments --both those you were expecting and those you weren't. Honestly, I don't think the comments I read quickly through were that bad. Really. I've seen better treated a lot worse. That doesn't mean it doesn't sting, but take a deep breath or two and put things in context. You said it was a new kitchen and folks don't know what you have done and are set on keeping. The choice on the one and only question you are asking doesn't occur in a vacuum. People will look at the whole thing and comment. The more they tell you the more you can figure out whether you are overlooking something or simply have different preferences or needs or know things about the context we don't get from a single photo or post. I posted a floorplan for my kitchen years ago -- had worked very hard on it and was pretty much down to one decision and trying to decide if I was gutsy enough to make it. Like you, I got a lot of other comments. Don't get me wrong -- it was hard to read them all until I went through the process of realizing that I had an answer for why what I either had to do or wanted to do what I had planned. I realized I was pretty much at the best I could do phase (would love a bigger window or to move a door, but that wasn't happening in that brick wall and no I couldn't steal a foot from another room, etc.), and when that cleared, no one seemed as concerned about the one change as I was. We went with it and it made the kitchen SO much better. If I took all my toys and went home before I got there, I might not have what I have and enjoy. All the opinions and advise here are meant to be helpful and you have to take them as such, remember what you paid for them, and then chose the ones you want to work with. If any. I was reading quickly through and saw you were going to keep the cabinets white but it didn't stick that you were going to glaze them. Sorry -- my error, and perhaps I should have looked a third time, but I didn't. I have to limit my time and do other things. This is my diversion, not my life. I told you I tend to dislike glazed cabinets, especially white ones, to be fair and because I've seen too many that are not well done. The last thing I want in a kitchen is something that looks streaky and dirty, and I saw way too many of those when glazing was in its heyday. That said, I do have a glaze on my cherry cabinets and love them. There are exceptions to every rule. Still, I like the contrast of the clean white with your copper and wood very much. It's clean and warm, old and new -- a nice balance. If you really want glaze, test the idea, and even then, tread lightly. You can always go back with more. I would also do the color on your island first. You may decide that the color plus glaze on the island is enough and that more would not be better. Sorry if offended you with the blind comment. You hadn't mentioned it and I presumed it was left by the PO to tie in with the sink. With your hood now given a copper treatment, the sink has something more interesting than a plain blind to share attention with. I realize it is there for privacy and wouldn't say don't have anything. I would just go lighter. White would wash out your pendants, so that's not a great choice either. If you have it open during the day and it fades into the window enough and seems not too different than the dark hole of a window at night, maybe it plays better IRL than a cold photo on a computer screen. Especially if you have them through the house. Since it is new and custom and you obviously like it, keep it. If someday something bothers you, you can think back and consider the comments when looking at new options. I see you took down your photo. Your choice, but I think you were a bit hasty. It may take more responses to see patterns, which should carry more weight than what any single post says -- and possibly to get the post from that one person who tells you exactly what makes everything click for you and makes it clear what you want to do and why. In the end, that's the most important one and possibly the only one that matters at all for you. But you may have to read through 100 or more to find it. ETA: I like patty_cakes' idea of staining the island and then possibly lightly glazing the island. That's a lot of work to do right, and I don't think most folks are up to that kind of job as a DIY. Maybe you are. I saw a comment on not crackling. I would agree. I think crackling is hard to do well and much better suited to an accent piece in anther room rather than kitchen cabinets. This post was edited by lascatx on Fri, Feb 28, 14 at 15:42

Mine is 36(?) by 78, or will be when the countertops come in. My old one, was an old dresser with 2 huge drawers and 2 smaller drawers, and we put a couple of counter height bar stools on the back. It was awesome too. I got a great deal of satisfaction out of repurposing the old dresser. My new island, one end houses a trash can. The other end houses my baking stuff and cutting board which serves to extend the island if needed. I initially was thinking to lower that baking end for a baking center but then decided that for no more than I bake, it would serve me better as one height and I just left the drawers on that end. Here is a link that might be useful: Our Home Page

Another thing to think about is where you want the light directed. Clear glass or frosted shades will illuminate the ceiling and surrounding area as well as the island. A solid shade will direct the light down onto the island only, creating two pools of light, and the ceiling will be dark. Consider whether the other lights in the area provide enough illumination that you can afford to take the pendant lighting downwards.

to my eye: you have enough going on with 2 different counters and busy b/s... i would pick the darkest color in your flooring and match that the best you can to your island. continuity would be a plus here. totally agree with you, you can add color with all your other elements. best part, if blue falls out of favor with you down the road, no worries about the island.