fyi, the rims can be painted after installation. Charliedawg, our plugs are perfect. With the lakeview, fireplace, tv, open kitchen and arches to DR and foyer, there is really only one natural place for our sofa. I knew we wanted to put a sofa table behind it, so we left room for that and enough room to walk between table and the cedar posts at the kitchen opening. The electrician said there was no rush since the plugs were going into the main level, which is second story, so we were able to wait until house was framed to decide exactly where they were going. DH and I used empty boxes to place where the sofa and measured to make sure there was enough room behind for table. (You can see the two cans in the kitchen we didn't need :( ) Here is a link that might be useful: Great room

Hey Ting tn? Are you in TN? Me, too. I answered your question on the bookcase thread...but in case you don't see it here is the info. Karastan English Manor Kensington. I am very pleased with the rug - even with the lighter background ( see other post). I did not see it on the Macy's website but you could call & ask them about it. I got it when they do their rug sale in Oct. Here is a link for Macy's English Manor rugs. http://www1.macys.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&Keyword=karastan+english+manor&KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.x=0amp;KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON.y=0amp;KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON=KEYWORD_GO_BUTTON (I think I messed it up on the other post:( Below is a link to the Karastan website .... I don't see the Kensington on there, either. Smiles:) & HTH:) Here is a link that might be useful: Karastan rugs

Hi, To start with the soapstone- we have had it in for about a month now and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I cannot get enough of the charcoaly black color and feel of it--like a baby's skin. It is from Brazil so is the very soft version of it. It definitely dings and scratches easily. The scratches disappear with an oiling and the dings blend in with oiling. I plan to try and sand them soon so I will let you know how that goes. I am not sure where you are located but we are in PA and got it from Bucks County Soapstone. We paid a tiny bit more to go with them (maybe $5/sq ft more) but I cannot say enough about how wonderful this company is. It was so worth it. It is the best company I have every dealt with--with regards to anything I have ever purchased. They are just wonderful! Maybe I should do an add for them;o). With regards to your island--I LOVE the wood. We had butcher block in our old house and I just loved it. We thought of it for here too but I didn't feel it fit with the style of this more traditional house. (I like a much more funky house with more character but this made more sense to be in a neighborhood with lots of kids). I think a soapstone perimeter will look gorgeous. My aunt has a different kind of soapstone--little more greenish to it and it is much harder. It is equally beautiful and is what made us think of soapstone originally. As far as the posts go, how big are your cabinets (total overall dimensions of it)? When we were working on ours--they suggested a minimum of an 11" overhang on the sides with the larger counter stools. They actually suggested it on any overhang side but we didn't have enough room on the stove side and we knew we would just have a small stool there so it didn't bother us. We did a bit more on the fridge side than the 11" as we had the space. I would say that once the counter is installed, try to put a piece of wood or baseball bat or fed ex shipping tube... to mimic the post in the place you want it by the kitchen table to see if it bothers you. That is what we did with the extra overhang on the island on the stove side as one of the handymen we got a quote from said it might feel too cramped. It didn't bother me. What I would say about the posts is they don't make it feel closed at all. It still feels as open as when I just had the counter without posts. You could also do slightly smaller posts. IMHO I really love the posts. It used to bother me before we replaced the counters and expanded the island that the counter was just floating there with no support--but that is just me. I know many like it the other way better and I think it just comes down to personal preference. I am by no means any good at designing though--I am very mathematical and love symmetry:o) so hopefully someone else who is more artistic or with design experience can weigh in. Good luck. Keep me updated and let know about the dimensions of the cab to see if you can do the posts! Also, LOVE how your kitchen is turning out!

According to the bottom of the ottoman, Sam Moore Furniture in Bedford, VA. The fabric came from another source.