Thanks all. I think I really am looking for something simple, not outstanding and something that will blend nicely without shouting, "Look at me!" Subtle is best in my book and I think the countertop speaks loudly enough. I couldn't think of or find any other "colors" or "textures" beside the darker gray that would do just that. It was late when I posted so I forgot I had pictures of the tiles, duh, that helps huh? I think the minimalist idea but not harsh and stark and cold is what this kitchen needs. I wasn't thinking in terms of feminine just with so many darks I didn't want it to appear at first glance that many men lived here, (although three out of five do!!). They really could care less anyway, just strive to make the mom happy. What a blessing! Anyway, try to imagine a 7x20 tile laid lengthwise with about 1/8 in tiny bit deeper color grout. Now what do you think? Without the tiny tiles inlaid. Remember: Place them lengthwise in your mind and keep in mind that EXPO uses flourescent lighting and I have lots of overhead lighting plus zenon undercabinet lighting. Thanks again!

This plant is a resident in my garden also. One unexpected bonus is that the ruby throat hummingbird feeds on it. On first observing this, I wondered what was attracting it; on closer inspection I could see the nectar sitting atop the petals. I received my starter plant from a fellow gardener. As the black seeds formed (the "blackberries") I pushed them into the soil about 1/4". I had many new plants the following spring. I'm in Florida, however, so being able to grow more plants is more a reflection of how easy it is to grow in this environment rather than any skill on my part.

Walnut...DuckDuckGo is a search engine and it's now the search engine for AdBlocker. I have both but loaded both as independents many moons ago. It's nice to know that AdBlocker now has DuckDuckGo. It's practically the only seach engine I use. https://searchengineland.com/duckduckgo-is-the-default-search-engine-in-new-adblock-browser-231085

I had 8 sets of guests last year, studied how they used the space, asked questions, then made changes. Here are a few and how they could fit into your space. A chair will be crammed in the nook and people would just throw stuff on it. Add a shelf the width of the nook, plug in a multiport charging station to sit on it. (I see an outlet there right?) Lower the VAIL picture. Pendelton blankets are the such a cabin vibe. Get one with the Vail picture colors for the foot of the bed and coordinate simple bedspread and pillows to match. Swap lamps for something slightly more earthy but not cabin cliche. Everybody loves a bench for luggage in a guest room but the foot of the bed is going to start to feel hemmed in with a bench under the window. Is there room for a bench on the fourth wall by the door? If so, I'd put a few hooks in a row above it for guests' purses, jackets, clothes they will wear again. (Please post a pic of the fourth wall.) Remove all the decorative objects from the dresser. People will use the top for their own items. How wide is the tree painting compared to the width of the bed? Get some command strips to hang the picture and then post an image for feedback.