The Blue Pearl is a pretty granite. Before we knew what cabinet color we wanted, that was my favorite granite. However with the color cabinet we wanted/fell in love with - that granite wouldn't work. I agree with Frankie_in_zone7 that said how the darker granite "upgrades" the oak grain and updates the arched cabinet doors more so than the patterned granites and makes it more of a timeless look. I normally tend to the darker wood but I loved nightowlrn kitchen because the darker granite gave a traditional look an edge and sophistication. If you really could go either way on the granite - I would lean toward your DH pick. When you get all the compliments on your kitchen, he can point out how he picked out the granite :) As far as deciding on your granite based on the care needed - we basically went with what we liked best. As long as it wasn't something that was high maintainance the care didn't really enter into our decision. We have to seal the granite once a year and I try to use glass cutting boards to put our drinks, wine bottles, olive oil bottles etc. rather than the countertop to make our lives easier so we don't have to wipe off the counter every 2 seconds to make sure something doesn't stain. Intead we put the glass cutting boards in the dishwasher once a week.

Glare is a potential issue here because the counter is polished and behaves like a mirror - the "glare" you fear would happen any time you could see a light source reflected in the counter surface. So, imagine that you had a mirror lying flat on the counter. If you were standing in front of that counter and looking at the mirror lying there, you wouldn't see the ceiling at all. Instead, you'd see a reflection of the backsplash, the underside of the upper cabs and the doors of the upper cabinets -- for this reason, undercabinet lights are a much more significant source of potential glare. To see the ceiling at all, you'd have to lean your head over the countertop. You will do this sometimes, of course, when cooking. It's unavoidable, but it's not a big deal. The closer the recessed lights are to the wall or upper cabinets, the less you'll have to lean over the counter to see them reflected in it. The further out they are, the less often you'll see glare but the more often you'll see shadows. My recessed lights are right over the counter edges, and my head can cast a shadow over my chopping hands when I lean over the counter, if I'm right under the light. If I'm a bit to the left or right of the light it's not an issue. I haven't installed UC lights yet, but I expect them to make the whole issue moot. This set of tradeoffs is inherent to recessed lighting; there's no perfect answer here. (I think this is central to Davidr's dislike of recessed lighting.) The only way to avoid glare altogether is to eliminate specular (mirror-like) surfaces and exposed light sources, opting instead for matte finishes and diffused, indirect light sources. Don't bother looking for the perfect answer; seek a compromise you can live with.

The color on the walls is SW Blonde (above the chair rail - below is SW Lemon Verbena - a sagey green that is just a little too light). It is the 5th coat of paint on the kitchen walls! I finally tried it after 4 other failed attempts, all either too green or pink. I really wanted something with a yellow undertone to it. If you search SW Blonde on this website, you'll find lots of info. I should've researched here first and saved myself a lot of painting. But then again, everything looks different with different woodwork and lighting. Firsthouse_mp, thanks for linking that website. I really have a hard time with beiges and greens, but looking at her examples on her blog, it looks so obvious. I can tell the green-beige, pink-beige, and yellow-beige right away. Why is it so hard looking at paint chips in the paint store,then - lol! Well, I think we're leaning towards the lighter color. We are going to our fabricator on Friday to see what they carry in stock, so maybe we'll have a decision soon. I'll definetly post pic's when we get to that point. Besides, then I'll need the dreaded BACKSPLASH help - lol!

island, I agree with you. I came to that realization today that I don't have the room for any special treatment behind the range since it has a back to it and there will be a vent hood going in so there is just not that much space available. I was trying to figure out how to get a center medallion of a cat! I know, too taste specific. DH suggested a piece of our granite but enough of that. So today I am trying to determine since the hood is not yet installed how much in height I really need behind the stove and if I can get away with simply raising the pieces behind the stove rather than running behind the stove down to the counter to avoid a seam. I found three different web sites with this type of tile but no selection of just one tile in different heights, just 8x20, 12x24 or the wall height which might work if it is tall enough to allow me to cut it in half because most of the wall I would need 18 high (the space from the counter to the bottom of the wall cabs) except for behind the stove. Silly me, I never considered a grout line, I thought they were just glued to the wall and simply lined up vertically! I have a lot to learn and I have to do more research. And yes, it does look great in that hallway but you know what I thought of when I saw it, it would take DH just one drop of the vacuum to break a tile. Silly me . . I'm still stressed over this whole affair even though I have a working sink finally after 8 weeks and tonight I am making my first home cooked meal - ravioli and meatballs and garlic bread. :-) mpagmom, your kitchen is SO BEAUTIFUL and I saw it today with those gorgeous tiles. What a calming space - I love it! That stove wall is a work of art and I do think the smaller tiles go great with the stove wall tiles. I hope you are enjoying your new space. Thank you for the link. Yes, I am planning on going with the beadboard tile. DH is against subways (although I love them) and I couldn't talk him in to an exposed brick look. I think the plainer backsplash would be very complementary to the granite. I can add more color with window valances or countertop accessories and an area rug. I noticed in SusieQ's beautiful kitchen that there is no top or bottom to the tile but you can buy "caps" or finishing ends on the tile web sites. Does anyone think that is necessary? Probably a picture of my stove wall would help. THANK YOU!