@mgmum I came across this post because I'm investigating black Alicante countertops. Yours look fabulous! You really pulled off the look of real soapstone. It looks like you possibly had them thinned a bit? I've read about people having them taken down to 3 cm (apparently that's the normal thickness of soapstone?). Can you share any insight on this?

It's over a year later, but I thought I'd update everyone on how we feel about our kitchen. We continue to love it. The only things we'd change: practically nothing! The design and flow has worked well for us through the last 12 months. The only things my husband and I have ever-so-briefly mentioned in the past has been the addition of a potfiller at the stove (but my husband, the cook, said it isn't necessary even though he has to take 5 steps from sink to stove), and having the garbage disposal be on the LEFT drain of the sink rather than right (which is my left-handed self being picky about how I do the dishes). We had some brief concern about the dark floors, but they are still lovely and comfortable. We do have to sweep and clean them quite often, but that's okay. That's what the kids are for, right? *lol* HollyRu - as for your question as to what's to the right of the sink, we have a 12" cabinet, our black dishwasher, and then the turn to the winerack. The second rack you see is actually a reflection of the real one on the black dishwasher. When the dishwasher is open, it's a breeze to put away the bowls and plates, which go in the two large dish drawers visible on the same photo.

Hi Jules, We ended up using Amber Tours, based in Delhi, and they were excellent. I basically planned the itinerary, and the hotels, but they had someone with us every moment we were in India. A local guide, our driver and his assistant. It was better than 5 star service. Exceeded my expectations (as did the entire trip). I don't usually like or want my hand held, but India may not be a good DIY destination especially with a family and if one likes creature comforts. You of course balance creature comforts against "authentic" experiences, but I felt pleased with the balance for us. I chose them over Greaves because they are based in India. The pricing was very similar (no bargains anywhere for sure). We flew into and out of Mumbai, but only to get free flights (for five people in flat beds over spring break, not easy). The only way I could use my frequent flyer miles was by taking that route, so that was pretty compelling (the seats would have cost 10-12k each). I would not suggest Mumbai otherwise. I didn't go to Delhi because I had been on business before and I generally didn't want big cities. But at least Delhi makes sense geographically if you want to see Agra and Rajasthan. Once I get over the jet lag, I am tempted to go back. We didn't see the Himalayas, or the South at all (many recommend river cruises in Kerala). We were not interested in any safari-type destinations, BTDT, but many seem to like those too. Our itinerary within India was: Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Jaipur, Alwar, Agra, Varanasi We stayed at a the Oberoi Mumbai, Oberoi, Udaivilas, Umaid Bhiwan Palace, The Serai, Oberoi Rajvilas, Amanbagh, Oberoi Amarvial and the Nadesar Palace. As far as itineraries go, Mumbai is interesting but I wouldn't have gone there if we hadn't landed there. I would also take Jaiselmer and Varanasi off the itinerary, and maybe even Alwar (where the Aman is). The rest of the cities are musts, and we loved visiting them. India is such a beautiful place. Mumbai is mostly just a big modern city. There were some interesting temples, the market, the laundry, a house where Ghandi lived, but .. ehh. Jaiselmer had intrigued me for the sand dune camel rides and the 14th century fort, near the Pakistan border. The fort was kind of honky tonk, plus you will see soooo many forts. The camel rides were fun, but you can do those elsewhere, and people say the dunes are even better outside Jodhpur. The best thing about it was the hotel, where we stayed in luxury tents that were fab. we had never done the luxe tent before and I thought the kids would love it; they did. But it is a long way to go! We rented a plane to get us from Jaisemler because otherwise it was 10hr on the road. Not worth it. Alwar is where the Aman is. And not a whole lot else. There is a fort and a temple, like just about everywhere, and the property is gorgeous, just a show stopper ... but TBVH I don't think it is worth a detour in the context of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to India. We had a wonderful stay at the Aman (big fan of the brand) but the Oberois "-vilas" brand is every bit as good as Aman, if not better (heresy!). I do not think it is hyperbole to declare Oberoi -vilas the best hotel brand in the world. Since the Aman is out of the way, I would take it off the list, if that allowed me to visit say, the Himalayas, or Kerala. We knew Varanasi was a "challenging" place to take a family. I'm glad I went but not sure I would recommend it, esp, since, like Jaiselmer, it is out of the way. It is a crazy circus of a place, like Time Sq New Years eve and Coney Island, times ten, with lots of cows, bulls, dogs, incessant horns, rickshaws, tuks tuks, and motorcycles thrown in, and incredible layers of dirt and stench and the infrastructure of a war zone. It was important to me to visit the Ganges, even if it would probably be a Superfund site here at home. I think we will always remember it, I will say that. Some people think it is the most important site in India. Maybe if you are very spiritual (certainly if one is devout Hindu). I thought the Aarti ceremony with fire was interesting but not worth the trip itself. The cremations are interesting but I didn't feel it was a terribly moving expereince, YMMV. The holy men, covered in white ash and dredlocks and wearing loincloths, seemed like something out of a NatGeo film. As far as hotels, they were superb. I would make only one change. In Jodhpur, everyone favors the Umaid Palace. Look at the room photos online. For some reason it makes me think of 70s Moscow. I found it depressing. The common areas are TDF and it is cool that the Mararaja lives there, but I would choose the hip Raas downtown. We lunched there. In Varanasi, another former palace, the Nadesar was cool (Reza Pahlavi slept in our room once -- sp?) but a tad rundown. That said, it is the best in Varanasi. The service and food (both Western and Indian) at all of these hotels was more than 5 star. But, as you know, the prices are Western. I was told even domestic travellers pay those prices, and I can believe it; there is tremendous wealth there alongside the poverty. Eye-popping wealth. We took Ciproflaxin with us and ate everything, including foods offered to us by locals in a few cases. Three of us got sick over out trip but within hours the Cipro cured it, and we all just took one each day from then on. I was very surprised at the quality and hipness of the Western fare, we also tried a lot of Indian dishes, did a cooking demo, and gained new favorites. The people are very warm, and it seemed, genuine. They truly seem to have a light, as corny as that sounds. We drove for hours through many small towns, deserts and farms and saw shepherds and farmers and women in saris carrying things on their head. They wave and smile and say hello. We saw very very little begging, and at no time did we ever see anyone who appeared malnourished, to my great surprise. I was told that Rajasthan, where most of our touring was, is one of the wealthier states. Flights within India were fine (usually only one class of service), but Air India is just ok where as Indigo is a great airline (seems identical to Jetblue). HTH! I will post pictures soon but I still have a laptop issue with Iphoto and it is a long saga to fix.

Rita, you're too kind as you're always are..thank you so much! the pics are awful the more I look at them lol. well in my defence it's really hard to take good pics unless there's plenty of natural light..and somebody else is taking them:) Who knows better. We just moved in then(the pics taken within first week or two of us in..we had guests coming 9 days after we moved. Guests are my sacred cows.), Obviously more lived in now. We managed to clean the laptop memory some, so i might be able to show you new art, at some point. I'm torn as to where to put it. I'm torn between my initial plan and better balance-and egocentrical needs of me seeing art better from where i usually see it. Lol. The mistakes still stay mistakes though. We didn't get to remedy anything yet. The hardscaping/landscaping of the backyard..still awaits. But we put in one more arch(lol. my DH couldn't live without it) and finally installed back door closet. My friend took pics of the house for her photo business but she was very fascinated with details, I thought she's gonna take these wide lens pics like real estate photographers- but she was so much into books and lights and art and compositions of sorts. Her photos are hundred times better. I think I posted some of hers here and there. They're just a very different approach of showing space. She didn't care about capturing shower niches lol. She has Instagram. And artistic vision. And great camera and knowledge how to use it. While I have you guys:) And strange abilty to write long posts. If I leave a message on somebody's phone it's also painful. (I'm the best when I have someting like flu btw. I get short, clear, and to the point. Going to the job interview when I had a fever practically used to be a guarantee of me getting the job))