Yeah I heard about WI teachers and other state workers today on the news. Not sure what you think, but if taking a deduction helped keep my state from going belly up, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But that's just me, I look at the big picture and figure that doing the right thing now might hurt me a little bit financially, but in the long run it might just keep me from having no job at all. Less money for chocolate now is so much better than the possibility of no money for chocolate later. Dianalo, just do your taxes early, then don't worry and be happy. My cousins 25th anniversary was on 9-11-01. She was so excited about it, but called me saying she was so mixed about celebrating after what happened that fateful day. I told her there was nothing wrong with celebrating their love, in fact that day needed all the love it could get. We do the same thing with Christmas although my hubby always sneaks and gets me a little something. Like this year a web cam for my computer because our daughter had just left for S.Korea for a year so we can Skype. I guess I bought one for him too. LOL Funny how I didn't remember buying it. Yes, back to the room....I'd suggest grabbing a level after you make a few dots because you'll want the actual trim to be installed level.

Be very careful. I hired a designer at 150 an hour. I put a cap on ten hours. I wanted her to help me with the (dreaded) backsplash, kitchen window treatment and kitchen chair cushions. Long story short, she gave a lovely presentation with the professional board display, but I didn't use any of it! Not even the fabric for curtains! If I would do it over, I would have asked around and possibly seen work of the designer. So say, if I liked what they did in your house, not that I would copy it, but maybe the vision would be similar. Have you seen the Color me Happy blog? Some people here have used her. She is in Vancouver but evidently can help you with photos and talking to you on the phone.

patty_cakes, that sounds really pretty. Thanks for the idea! newhomebuilder, I'll see if I can find SL magazine and look at that picture. I like your flat round basket on the ottoman (and the doggie). I used to have a really large basket on my large square ottoman in my previous decor. Maybe I should consider something similar here. demifloyd, I have been having trouble finding larger trays. They don't seem so easy to find, aktillery, beautiful room! Yes, that ottoman and basket looks similar to what I used to have, although my basket wasn't quite as deep and was larger. Maybe I should see how it looks on my current ottoman, although I don't think it will work very well. I'll have to take a picture.

Yes, agree completely. Gray-blue tinted marble-like surface would work better. I am also beginning to think that white cabinets would be a no-go with this...would really want some color under the countertop to balance out the intensity of tile. The thing is that I was always obsessed with oriental tile patterns but I never thought that using them will also dictate a certain cabinet color. For instance, out of all the choices below (the last photo shows my chosen tile installed), I really think either blueish or gray-ish cabs will work. If I was really brave, I'd do navy blue, but I'm not. What cab color would you do? I also thought about doing different cabinet colors but I fear it would add to the overall busy-ness. Although my kitchen does have very clear zones (island, perimeter, breakfast nook flanked by glassfront towers) so different colors would not be illogical...Btw, I will be ordering painted doors from Scherr's, so COULD do different colors...decisions,decisions!