Is it a myth? Hmmmm... I would have to say it's really yet another color concept taken from the two-dimensional world of fine arts that does not apply to three-dimensional architectural color. The idea is to use light and dark, value, to create two-dimensionally the sense of depth and dimensional that is inherent and naturally defines our three-dimensional world. Our vision system is three-dimensional as well. We see from two points of view at the same time so we see things three dimensionally. Because of that factor, painting a room, structure, the built environment is very, very different from trying to duplicate and express what is experienced in the three-dimensional world via painting on canvass or other artistic modes. i.e. The color strategies that make for a good painting do not contribute to what is needed to purposefully color the built environment so it is humanly supportive AND aesthetically pleasing at the same time. But people like to think they do. In our society we, by default, have turned to various creative fields like fine arts, graphic design, and interior design for color knowledge for help in applying color to structure. That is a mistake. Color can't shrink a room any more than it can add square footage and "expand the room". At this point, the nursery rhyme that dark colors advance and cool colors recede is so ingrained that we need to stop, experience, absorb, and then articulate the affects we feel from color in order to determine our real color truths - separate those truths from all the ridiculousness out there in blogs, on websites, ebooks, and whatever. Lots of people feature themselves as color design experts but really aren't. As a result, there's a bizarre repetitiveness to "color tips and tricks" that these expert color designer types can recite but aren't able to substantiate or explain. "Color tips and tricks" like dark colors shrink a room are a dime a dozen and usually emptier than a bottle of Jack under a drunk. Real color truths, authentic, individual color truths can be expressed and termed as "tolerances". And that's what we need to work thru and examine for your space. The room is generously sized. Does anyone really believe two gallons of red paint can "shrink" the volume of a 14 1/2 ft. X 20 ft space? If so, then I have some magic beans priced to sell. When it comes to strong color and dark color it really is a matter of individual tolerance. The walls of a three dimensional space with strong and/or dark color could be described by some people as closing in and overwhelming the space. But does that really translate to "dark wall colors WILL make a room feel smaller" and conversely "light wall colors WILL make a room feel bigger"? I don't think it does. It simply describes an individual perception and response to strong, dark wall colors. And that's what you have to determine. What do you feel your response will be to strong, dark color on the walls of your 14 1/2 ft x 20 ft room? Maybe your answer isn't that you'll feel overwhelmed and closed in by red walls. Maybe for you it will define your space so it feels cozy, homey, finished, sophisticated, complete.

Yes, of course. I've gotten so much help here, I'm so glad to be able to help someone else for a change! :) I have to get ready for work soon and will have to look up the knobs info tonight, but I can answer everything else: We have The Tile Shop in our town, but they have a web site. I think it's tileshop.com. I'm bet you can order the grout over the web. I can find out the brand later today if that will help, but I think they probably only carry one brand. It lightened very slightly, but I love it now!! Thank goodness!! I would not want it any lighter. The granite is Giallo Oramental aka "New" Venetian Gold. It does not really have gold in it, like regular Venetian Gold. It is more brown, gray and white. It was one of the "stock" granites where we bought it. I had looked at Bianco Antico, which I love, but it was much more expensive. I love all the colors in the NVG and am so glad we went with it. The wall are Relaxed Khaki from Sherwin Williams. I've got to get to work now, but let me know if you have any other questions! Hope that helps! Jill

j-yk, I totally understand how you feel. I had a hard time figuring out the right size lights over our island and had to return two sets before I ended up with the ones I have. Hang in there! You will find the right ones! I just explained your question to my sister-in-law who is here visiting. We got out the measuring tape and measured out your island size and height. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we both agree that the pendents are too big for a 52" long island :( Bummer! We also think they are to big for 8-10" of chain (for the chain/light to look proportionate)... I know that is a bummer to hear...but I'm glad you asked and I could help you figure it out. I would hate for you to order them only to have to pay to return. There is another light that is similar and a little smaller. It is from Ballard Design and is called the Carriage Light. I have the larger one in my foyer and it is really pretty. The smaller one is only 8" in diameter. It might work! I hope that helps. Let me know how it works out! Jill

Thank you, suzannesl and cloud swift. We don't have a "GC" per se... As inexperienced as we are we didn't know that kitchen removation needed a GC or what GC does and what our cabinet installer does and does not do... We just planned to get the cabinet changed with a new one along with the granite countertop. We are doing an Ikea kitchen installed by someone. And again as inexperienced as we were, we - or I just picked the granite color and got quotes from different fabricators and picked the stone store... (picked one of recommended by the stone whole seller that provides Ikea with stones - Marbles and Granite in MA) So a long story short, not knowing the whole process of "just change the cabinets" turned to be this horrific way more demanding to find out what's going on and what has to be done mess.... So it's our fault - since we decided to do this for this old house we bought - we have to figure out all these. :( I have been feeling like crying everyday and now templating is done I have to figure out what we shoud do. I don't think our fabricator does laminating. He did not mention anything about it... I am just sooo glad that I have found this forum to ask around thing s and find out that "using white silicone to fill the gap" is NOT done. I have shown cloud swift's picture with plates embedded and asked my cabinet guys if he can do it and he said yes. But he is not sure if Ikea cabinets with those plastic legs will be able to support all the plywood+steel plates + granite. I ws thinking "if it's designed to withstand a slab of granite, won't they be strong enough for additional plywood +steel plates?" But then it's me. Another suggestion they had was to make a frame of steel plates all around the cabinet with supports sticking our sort of welded together by the steel fabricator. My thinking is... won't THAT be heavier that a few steel plates + plywood? Any thoughts? THank you again for your help.