Thank you! I'm going to drive the 4 hr round trip to their showroom/warehouse. They said they would set 2 slabs up so I could see how they look at 90 degrees. I really hope I like it!

Oh, I know you won't get 100% of your recoup. costs back. When we remodel any room, not just the kitchen it is with the mindset it costs what it costs because we like it. We also live in an desirable, affluent town. Granite is expected in certain price ranges. No granite, lowball offers of what potential buyers think it will take to remodel. And the houses take longer to sell without some updating on the sellers' part. At least that is what the RA say. As a side note, having had formica and Corian as countertops in previous homes, granite wins hands down. Durable, easy to clean, beautiful and a natural product. As stated previously, have had my granite for 14 years in this home. Still looks great. Won't be changing them out anytime soon. Enjoy your kitchen, NancyLouise

Teacats - Thanks for posting a pic. I really love all the white in your kitchen! Powermuffin - I've considered different colors. I love Frenchkitty's kitchen and thought about yellow at one point but I don't think I'd like it in my kitchen. Her floors are gorgeous and the whole thing has lots of great detail. Tina - I had my Dad cut out the corner cabinet panel and put the metal screen in. I honestly wouldn't want anymore doors showing through though because then I'll have to be neat behind then, lol. Could always do frosted glass I guess. I love Reno's island too! I didn't discover CL until after we bought appliances. Not so long ago someone was selling all their stainless appliances for a heck of a deal. Usually you just see a piece here or there. Fabricmarilyn - If you start a new post with photos I'm sure you'll get lots of responses. It's really hard to make suggestions without seeing pics. Homebodymom - You'll have to let us know when you take the plunge with yours. Maple will look much nicer painted than oak which is another thing I'm concerned about. Jan - Oh, I remember seeing your kitchen before and I love it!! I really like the whole set up how the cabinets are broke up nice. Do you happen to know the paint color or any other info about it? Juddgirl - We should swap! :) Marita - Very nice! Love the dark counters with it. I'll be sure to check that color out. Tuesday and Kmcg - I'm sure I am. I guess it does sound funny that I'm ok with black appliances and creamy cabinets but unsure of the cream color with white. I'll have to buy a few popular white/cream samples and try to limit myself with that. Paint huge pieces of poster board and hang them around the kitchen for awhile. Anyone know how to photoshop cabinets? A visual would really help me with this one. I tried using the fill feature in photobucket but it goes way out of the lines and isn't working well.

Owls4me-- Thank you! This is a great suggestion. It seems like that section of countertop space (aside from the sink in the middle) does not get used hardly ever. The microwave we have now is 14" square. (Its in that 3rd pic I posted...looks like a bread maker.) A lot of people laugh at it but I like the space it saves. It would be great to find one to put under the 13" cabinets someday. Hi Circus-- You bring up some very good points about "straight, level, even" tiles & grout lines...I am at work under the scrutiny of corporate internet use...unfortunately this keeps me from viewing the pics you've posted. I can imagine that the minute grout lines might cause an illusion of wavy appearance. I'll take a look at all your photos when I get home! I also like your idea of bringing the backsplash to a stopping point above the bottom of those upper cabinets. I don't know the tile term for it, but I like the "molding-looking" strip that some people are using at the top of the backsplash as the "crowning" piece. It actually reminds me of crown molding on a ceiling! Anyhow, I figured I would need to go higher for a couple of reasons. If you take a look at the pics I posted earlier, you'll notice (in the 1st photo) a deficit of lower cabinets to the left side, towards the window/bar area. This is actually where our cooktop and vent-a-hood are now installed. Somewhere beyond the edge of the vent I must choose a height to stop at, right? As for the other edge, I plan on tiling to the window frame in the pic. ((This house is so funky! Notice the bar area is built into that window...ugh what a mess.)) I'm hoping if I run the backsplash to that window frame it will look more deliberate? BRING ON THE OPINIONS for this one PLEASE!!! And then there's the other end of that section of cabinets...you'll see the beautiful vintage rose wallpaper in the photo and my embarassing renovation mess in the dining room ;)> I guess after I figure out how high to go near the vent-a-hood on the left, I'll follow suite here. If I use a tile accent like was mentioned, I can only showcase it on the wall at these 2 high points because the kitchen sink window is literally sandwiched between those upper cabinets. Do you think it will be enough to bring some extra visual interest to this wall? And "raise it up a little too? Speaking of symmetry and placement, I am excited that I can carry the tile (and possible accent tile) across the room to the new section of cabinets/countertop (shown in pic 2 & 3). This would be the 3rd area of higher tile. Maybe this little workspace area will tie the knots all together?!?!