Thank you so much nannymac! We did use a KD to design the kitchen (layout, cab/drawer locations, island/tabletop leg design), and he worked very closely with us to incorporate our "vision" for the space, which we (DH and I and our KD) tweaked along the way as needed or desired. The details were all chosen by us; e.g. the appliances, fixtures, granite, backsplash, cab hardware (even the cherry wood switchplates, which we ordered and then gave him to have the cab manuf stain to match the cabs). Those items (among others) we researched/found on our own. The bathrooms were "all us!" LOL. Of course, we were (and still are) extremely fortunate to have a great tile guy, and tile place(s), and plumber, to help and advise us when necessary, since we were our own GC's for the bathrooms (as well as the kitchen). Our bath/kitchen/hardware showroom salesperson was invaluable (literally) in helping us pick and choose fixtures, for function, price, quality, and style. He knew the look we were trying to create (and the price ranges of the different lines, and our budgetary constraints), and we bounced a lot of ideas off each other.

Just reposted this in the Discussions area....sorry, I think Gallery was wrong spot for questions :)

Great! Thanks for the speedy reply :) Ok one more quick question. Where do we start the first course? At the far side of the counter and working our way across, adjusting for the window area when we get to it? Or start with the first tile in the middle of the window area and work out to both sides from there so that the "L" cutting around each side is symmetrical? The window is not in the exact middle of the entire counter so the runs on either side will be different total lengths. Thanks again Bill :)

Not quite like your floor, but here's a link to a Houzz Ideabook of kitchens with brick floors. Your floor pic - the grout looks very light, almost white & isn't there some grey splotches? I can't remember how white Conestoga Crystal White is, but some of these pictures of brick floors & white cabinets combined with white marblelike countertops are a nice combo. The link works but you have to wait a bit for it to go to the Ideabook. Brick kitchen floors and white cabinets