Oh goodness another dilemma to look forward to! :>) Honestly the only one I like is the wood stool with the rush top. Pretty, classic, unobtrusive, can push it all the way in, and don't have to worry about the seat backs lining up, if that's something that would bother you. Love the idea of a swivel. Less wear and tear on the floors and without a back there's even more of a chance people won't have to move the stool much to get on. But does the color match your island? I also like that the rung for your feet goes all the way around so you have some options of how you sit and where you put your feet rather than on the little bird perch on some of the others. That would be a no go for me. Normally I assume I want a back, but when I think about it, I typically don't sit back anyway. As long as I can lean on the counter when socializing and can reach the rung or floor comfortably I'm usually good. I think most of the others are too modern and/or look like beauty parlor chairs, especially with arms. The wicker tulips very modern or islandy and they do not look comfortable, especially if you don't have the right size butt! The red fabric one someone posted looks nice, but does the base with tapered out legs take up more room? I think you should just wait until you get your backsplash and window treatments up. Even though you know what they are they can still change the look of the space, but overall I think most of the options you've been pulling are too modern. The stools don't need to make a statement in such a beautiful kitchen.

I don't want to give anything away, either, but I do have to say this about the final few minutes... Bree --- totally believeable Lynette --- very believeable Susan --- What the hey? Gabrielle --- Completely unbelieveable. (The overall scenario I can believe, but not the physical appearance of you-know-of-whom-I-speak.)

Hi Nik-- Mutabilis thrives in Austin, TX, which may be a little closer to your climate than PacNW. We're definitely not cool and moist--rather, hot, droughty, and med-hi humidity. My hedge of 5 Mutabilis is currently blooming its tail off. We're Zone 8b, also, if that helps. It rarely has any disease issues--we've never sprayed, and it's very free-blooming for us. We do have it on twice-weekly water, though. The only drawbacks to this rose for us are (1) it gets huge, and (2) sometimes its limbs get long and heavy and flop over in a graceless way, leaving empty spots in the middle of the shrub. My husband disciplined ours alarmingly vigorously last year with the pruning shears (cut them back about 1/3 and knocked any of those lanky limbs back to stubs or removed altogether), though, and they're now looking much tidier. I really love ours--they have this riotous, hippie/flower child vibe that I find very endearing.

At the least remove the tree against the house. Discard the shutters, use Cultured Stone on the walls of the offset at front, left side and inside porch. Paint the brick! Yep, the whole house. Use Hardi Plank shakes on the front gable. Replace the post with cedar or pine 6x6 posts with brackets slightly cut on an inside curve, stained a natural weathered cedar color. Remove the rocks and paving rounds and replace with a sidewalk from driveway to entry. I would also remove the sidewalk to the street if possible. Kill off existing lawn and replace areas you want to keep as lawn with sod. For the garage doors paint the same color you paint the brick rather than making them a focal point but add an awning or pergola like structure that matches the new porch posts over the garage doors. Front door with 3/4 glass or full glass and a decorative porch light would be nice.