Ladeda -- Our fabricator was Alpha Granite. We were on the verge of having them install Caesarstone but when I went to pick up C'stone samples from their office I saw some pieces of soapstone from Dorado sitting out on the counter. My husband and I had been to Dorado earlier and loved the soapstone we saw but couldn't find a fabricator from the list Dorado gave us (I called a bunch of them and they all tried to talk me into granite!). In any case, Alpha gave us a great deal on the fabrication because they had just decided to start using Dorado as a supplier and needed to get some soapstone installs under their belt. Sorry -- probably more information than you need. The bottom line is that they did a good job. We only have one seam and it's fine. I've always wondered what it would look like if a more experienced soapstone installer had done it but it's not bad. Just a bit more noticable than I had hoped for. I can take a picture of it if you'd like to see it. And, as far as finish, I don't think they did anything to the stone once they got it from Dorado. At least it didn't seem any different to me. Our install was done nearly 2 years ago so they probably have more experience with soapstone now and maybe can give you names of other customers you could check with. Or maybe Dorado has a better list of fabricators now. In any case, we love our stone. It's probably my favorite part of the new kitchen (or maybe the dishwasher . . . ). Good luck.

Oh dear, I went back and saw that I didn't read very carefully before. I still haven't read all but did notice that some of what I asked or mentioned you addressed already. (Like my splash question.) I agree with those who say that the table is great there, and even better that you had it already! I'd keep it, unless it just bugs you and you don't like it. I'm not very good about accessorizing but I wonder if when you have the splash in it will seem a little more lively and need less than you think. I'd wait and ask after it goes in. As for the TV, have you thought about getting a hutch for that wall, not a corner cabinet? That would give you a place for your plates/platters. I'm not a good judge of size and proportion. Is the TV wider than the wall next to the slider? It looks to me like it would fit, but maybe doing that would make it difficult for you to see while in the kitchen, which would defeat the purpose. Wish I had more suggestions to offer, but I think it looks awesome!

Reading all of your comments has put a smile on our faces. Again, thanks for posting. neverending: I can't take any credit for the crown molding. DH did this and he did a great job. The larger molding was in stock at a small, neighborhood lumber yard so we were really lucky. The floor demo was also a DIY project. We pulled up a top layer of linoleum and found a layer of tiles. The tiles had a lot of nails that DH pulled up one by one. Under the tiles was a layer of black adhesive that we used a wallpaper steamer to soften and scrape up. We then had to wipe up the adhesive. We were on our hands and knees pulling up nails, removing adhesive and wiping for a little over a week. A close up of the floors is in the link below. It was a messy process but worth it. I say go for it when you have time. You won't be disappointed. sis2two: The wall color in the kitchen is Applesauce Cake from Porter Paints. The butler's pantry is a little lighter and it's called Golden Ecru. Here is a link that might be useful: Hardwood Floor Post

Oh wow, I am so overwhealmed. I had a busy few days so couldn't get on at all, and there are so many responses :-). You guys really made my day! It's so neat seeing so many other people from my neck of the woods! Jalsya6 - I hope your reno is coming along great. Doing it yourself adds a special element that can't be measured in dollars. It's a labor of love. I see friends (and even friends of friends) donated time in our lighting. I see my grandpa's lifetime of expertise in flooring and the window. I see my brother's love in our archways and our backsplash. And they all imparted knowledge and skills to my husband that he will have forever and is already paying it forward by helping others with their home projects. Not to mention the confidence boost - he feels like he can tackle anything now. Some things just can't be measured in money! mpagmom - funny you mention drinking glasses! People who have never been over before always go for the upper next the fridge and find all our coffee stuff and mugs there. The espresso machine is right below that. We put the drinking glasses in the next cabinet over to the right on the other side of the range hood. It's a pivot and 2 steps from the dishwasher - so easy. The mugs are a few steps away but no biggie because with the handles you can carry 5 at time. We find the set up works well though. Again thanks to Rhome during planning for reitering the dire importance of having ALL my dishes close to the dishwasher. Another "best thing I did". Our plates our in a drawer btw, and I love it! Athomesewing - I actually fired our first custom cabinet guy (and lost the $1500 deposit) over that window!! We faught for months because he INSISTED that I could not get away with anything larger a 5' window there and have it look okay and have enough storage. Evidently to him storage = wraparound uppers. Yuck. That window is 8' wide and not compromising even one inch on that is another one of the best things I did. We bumped it out like I had seen 2 other folks here do, and I just adore the extra space there. My broom closet is 13.5" wide with a 1" filler to the right to allow the door to open. The actual opening of the cabinet is 12", and yes, it's the perfect size! I have found it no issue whatsoever to not have any landing space by the stove. I carry the food over to where I will be working with it (for lets say a turkey) or else directly to the kitchen table (for casseroles). I suspect that if you put in countertop there, you may find yourself not using it. Lisa_a - the hutch bottom is 51" wide. The 6 drawers are SO useful - coupons, bills, reciepts, batteries, etc each have their own drawer. They are way taller than they need to be though. In the final version-that-was-supposed-to-be they are shrunk down to a few inches tall. The actual drawer inside is very shallow - like 2" high and they were going to build taller drawers up to the height of the drawer front if I used it and found them to be too shallow, but I found they aren't. Feel free to steal whatever you'd like. I can even give you a full spec sheet on this hutch and the shorter version if you'd like. I drew up the plans for all of these cabinets on my own software. I included a pic of the outside of the window that we bumped out - the design was grandpa's, the inspiration was from GW, and the work was hubby's and grandpa's. So fun! If I didn't mention you by name, thank you so much for your kindness. It really means a lot. Chocolate bunny - here's the tile close up: closer: Outside of window: