Being I have a small U shapped kitchen, I think I need to balance the color and swirls more than if it was going into a large kitchen or on an island. If there is a way to balance the swirls I will probably do it. I am buying the countertop by square foot. The slab is at the fabricator and not being brought in by a different yard. The fabricator told me I could have any parts I want, and could be their to decide before they cut. pbrisjar, I went to 6 different fabricators, all told me the same thing - They would cut out in one piece and then cut at the sink for transport. I don't think everyone would tell me the countertop would be cut at the sink, if it's not someting they normally do. If they had problems, they would have been out of business a long time ago. (All the places I've been to have been in business for 10+ years, most of them close to or more than 20). I have looked at kitchen remodels in my condo building, all have the same kitchen layout as me, and they all have a seam at the sink. So far no one has had a problem. Thanks for your concern though. Gail

Are all of your windows included in the privacy issues? Do you have any public rooms that can do without window covers entirely and privacy still maintained?? I started with double layer of sheers/lined drapes in the the bedrooms. But then I got plantation shutters which are adjustable like blinds are, and there is no curtain in the house except for in the shower! We are in the middle of a remodel that will add 300 sq ft to our house, giving us a space about the size of yours at 1300 sq ft. Our addition across the back will have two glass doors and 7 glass windows. We won't have curtains or blinds or shutters on them at all. The rest of the house has all wood plantation shutters painted white. I am adding to the living room some elements for privacy though. My shutter man has some old shutters that I can get cheap from him (or from Restore for that matter they have some) to use as a screen divider to make a small entry at the front door to keep callers from having the long view through our newly opened up spaces. I was looking for some such shutter screen ready made and found one at Pier1imports for about $359 plus tax, comprised of 3 panels. For that much money, I can go shopping at the used Restore or used furnishings stores and pick up some old closet shutters, some old window exterior shutters, fixed louvers or adjustable, or even solid panel (although I want open and adjustable preferably) for a mere pittance. The shutter man here will put adjustable plantation shutters (4 panels) across the 60 inch wide cased opening between living room and dining room.) Why? Because our two bedroom house will use the living room as a guest room. We'll also put shutters between the single door leading to the sunporch. Mostly they will stand open and frame that 32 inch wide opening, making it more ornamental. But when a guest is in the living room to sleep, they come together and can be turned as required to make the room private. My DH will have his reading chair (now on order) in the living room, so closing off the doors for quiet reading may suit his fancy. Or, the can close off to keep solicitors from seeing beyond the front room. Of the options you mention, the bamboo roll up blinds I like, but they will need some curtains over them to privide the privacy. My choice would be also the white blinds with or without curtains. But curtains will not be required for privacy. Save your money and spend it instead on a good vacuum cleaner to dust the blinds! :)

The 3" black pipe is your primary waste line running up and out the roof. It is the vent for the toilet line and most likely the vent for the home. The toilet line is tied into this. Your vanity waste line will tie in above the floor in the wall. The Chrome P-trap looks odd installed like that. Never seen that before.

Thank you all so much for indulging my brainstorm!! I think what is bothering me most is I dont have a clear vision, but we know exactly what we need to do with the rest of the house. Under the ceiling fan is where the kitchen table goes and then the room wraps around to the family room. The entire wall on the other side is all glass sliding doors and it gets full sun all day long. My husband actually loves the fan because the sun can make the room quite hot especially while cooking. there is lighting under the cabinets for sure and it does look nice and bright when all the lights are on, but I do love the pendant lights over the island idea. its definitely a few years away before we do Anything but I LOVE that soft green @Maureen posted. I actually think that might be perfect for the island. Love the idea of losing those cabinets beside the stovetop - I hate them because they just scrape along the counter. Putting one big hood fan is a perfect idea @designinteriorsouth. If I were Doing it today I would be inclined to paint the perimeter cabs white and then change the backsplash To a lighter colour.