Thanks for the info. about your estimates. We understand that buying wood flooring online is not for everyone even though if using common sense and in-depth researches, it can save quite some for similar quality products found locally. By the way, you have done a great job noticing the confusing facts in wood flooring business. Now let's talk about you 2 flooring quotes: Acacia Walnut is from Asia and has a 2300 janka rating. It has similar grain patterns to American walnut which is 1010 in Janka rating. It is one of the few hot colored and inexpensive wood floorings on market now. We stock the solid moldings for the floor. But for vents, treads and risers, we would prefer to use unfinished American walnut and then stain match the Acacia color. So if you decide to go with the first quote, you may consider to have your installer do the same for your 30 stairs. The cost for unfinished walnut should be quite some more than Oak, but still affordable. $60 installation per step is fair to us. The second quote with Walnut is still fair to me. $7.41/sqft RW walnut is a reasonable price with a 3mm wear layer. $4.33 to install RW flooring is not too much either in this business. It is also about right to install a prefinished Walnut tread and white riser at $190. So to conclude, a lot of it has to do with sourcing and the type of business you are dealing with.

Again, not a GO but did two bathroom countertops. One I ripped off the formica and did it on the under base. I think you're better off leaving the formica. One I did on cement backerboard. Both times I used tile which was all the same thickness. I think you can do it but I would strongly suggest you break all your china, lay it out and check for differences in thickness, those slight curves plates and saucers have and footers because I think you'll want the countertop to be level. I think that will be your biggest problem. Even with the tiles, I kept putting a level across different areas and the whole width. Course, this storeowner I know had a fire and used the china in her store that was broken to do her countertop where you make your purchases. It is not even at all and it is charming. On an area that big, I spread mortar but I guess you could glue each piece down with GEII. I don't know if the mortar I used will work for formica, you might search this forum or the bath/kitchen forum for "formica" to see if anyone has any experience. Have you figured out what you will use for an edging? There are pretty cove tiles that might work if they are the right thickness. I cut and stained molding for mine. I try to not run my tiles right up to the edge so my molding will lay in tighter and evenly and I can grout any gaps. ladyronnie (I think) did an amazing bathroom countertop that you can look at here. I don't know of any book but this forum is invaluable for help.

I went through paralysis by analysis when we built last year. It is such "bourgeous suffering" you can't even complain to your RL friends! For the most part things came out fine and it sort of fun to see your true taste evolve through picking things you like. Re the modern stuff, modern country is a very cool style. I read somewhere not to be afraid, and I tried to be willing to take a few little risks-- checkerboard tile, wildly colored Willard Moses chandelier, some funky 20's style Pottery Barn pendants. I'm glad I did! I made some mistakes, but that's okay. I'd rather have something a little different than have it all be safe and perfect. I don't see why you can't have an Asian influence (which is usually modern, natural, simple) in a woodsy house. I think it could be quite wonderful. When we built I had some basics I knew I wanted and was willing to sacrifice other stuff for-- hardwood floors, pretty divided lite windows, painted cabinets, WB fireplace, front porch, mudroom. We picked schoolhouse lights from Rejuvenation and simple sconces from PB. Some of the bathroom and closet lights are from Lowe's. I knew I generally wanted a farmhousey effect and went with that (even though it will look a bit silly when the lots around us get built and we no longer look like we're on our own farm!) It helps to have a look that you like-- pore over those magazine clippings-- see what common elements make you happy about them. Hang in, one thing at a time, it does come together in the end.

Rose I really like that light fixture you posted for the front entry. I think it will be a fab flip for the one you have currently. Classic style, goes with a lot of other things, and practically can't go wrong. I am a firm believer in getting the most bang for your buck. Change out that one, see how it plays with the dining room, and if you still have the money and inclination to go further, then on to the dining room. You will either like the contrast or find that it is even more of an imperative to change out the dining room . . . I have a really nasty brass "tulip" light in our dining room, it came with the house. We call it "Audrey" because it unfortunately bears a slight resemblance to the star of "Little Shop of Horrors." I am looking to replace it with a plain black iron chandelier, one I could dress up if I miss the bling, and dress down if I'm growing tired of that look. Honestly, though, the light you have in the dining room is the least of your worries. You should have to live with Audrey . . . Can add flame lights, beads, crystals, or little lampshades. Or serve plain.