@kellienoelle, thanks! I really love it. I have to say, I love my runner that I had in my old apt much more but I want to go fun and funky with wallpaper in the hallway so I thought it better to not have any pattern on the runner. Also, the serging I had in my apt was much nicer than the binding I have now. We moved cross-country and so couldn't use the same people. The runner in my apt is serged with wool thread. They came with the machine into the apt and did it on-site. It is gorgeous. My runner in the house was a project. They didn't know what I wanted or how to achieve it. The owner (nationally franchised carpet store) said the serging machine the other company used was too expensive for him to have on hand and that not many people ask for what I wanted. They did offer cloth border but that was super expensive. Anyway, in the end this is a tape that is sewn on. It looks fine but definitely not as polished as the runner I had. Oh well. As for the risers, I love them too! We had all the floors in the house redone (except master, which has carpet) before we moved in. Love the dark walnut color!!

Hi Sauceyc, I see you got your Heath samples! I think based on the feel you want for your kitchen - beachy/funky/cool, the photos (which admittedly are hard to tell without seeing the real thing), I think you should go with the glass tiles in a colour similar to the French Gray. Somehow, I think that you are being lured by other backsplash options when you and your hubby are really feeling the glass, and it goes with the theme that you want. You just need to be able to feel confident that you've exhausted other options. Colour - I think the colour of the taupe glass tiles look like a "mistake" whereas the French Gray compliments your granite better. I think that having slight colour differences between the countertops and backsplash are okay. But I think that when you have busier, colourful granite like us, you need to pull a similar colour from the granite to tie it in, or risk everything looking too busy. Your beautiful Lennon granite has an undertone to it which seems to conflict with the taupe. See how your paint goes so well with the granite? I think you should find a glass tile that compliments your granite like your walls do. This is a glass tile we were considering. See how it "goes" with the granite so well in terms of colour? Pattern - I also wanted to comment on the pattern which you know very well, I LOVE. I know you like the running pattern of the Heath tiles and that my La Cornue ad inspired you which is great. I'll have to be honest that I'm concerned whether the pattern will work with your particular layout. The running pattern naturally "falls" from top left to bottom right, which gives a slight feeling of movement, which requires overall symmetrical cabinetry. Your range wall, while symmetrical in turns of the upper and lower cabs, has the fridge to the left which is a strong piece in stainless steel. I'm worried that it will look unbalanced...just thinking aloud here. Again, this is my two cents, I'm not a designer. Please take my opinion and consider with the others, as well as your own, because it is merely an opinion and I want YOU to feel comfortable with your decision!!! Do you have a designer you can consult with? It sounds like you feel pressured to make a decision before you're ready. Many people have said to me on this forum that I should take as long as I need.

Now that you pasted both close to the bahia, I am even firmer about liking the (now) first one with it. It echoes the bahia better. However, I think I'd consider stainless for at least the sink area. It would be a mellow backdrop and allow the marble sink to show off more. It would also be very functional around the cooktop.... You could use as much citrus or other acids as you want ;) You'd be giving your fiance the bulletproof areas he wants and letting the bahia and marble be more noticeable.

Thank you for posting this! When our utility bills skyrocket (as the Pres said they will), we need to remember who was responsible. I will remember in November 2010!!