I've started listening to audiobooks in the past couple of months. While I prefer to read books, I work for a caterer three times a week and spend 5 hours on those days in a kitchen, alone. I used to listen to music, but one day downloaded a book and realized it was a great way to "read" more books. Last week I finished Chris Cleave's latest novel, Everyone Brave is Forgiven. I loved this novel, which I thought was beautifully written, with very clever use of witty humor in the dialogue. The narration was done very well, and perhaps that led to my enjoyment of the story. The downfall of an audiobook is that it doesn't lend itself to "reading in bed" at the end of the day. I found myself not wanting to stop so would listen to it every time I got in my car as well! I'm currently reading Letters to the Lost. I'm not sure where I heard about this one but it's just okay. It also takes place in London during WWII but later in the war, and it isn't really about the war at all. It's just okay - about two people who fall in love during the war but one is newly married to a man who doesn't love her. An average book that I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend. A friend recommended The Hired Girl as one of her favorites from last year but I didn't realize it's a YA novel and clearly reads that way. I'm listening to this one as an audiobook but find the narrator a bit annoying. Another one I wouldn't recommend except perhaps to my teenage daughter. I'm anxiously awaiting A Gentleman in Moscow and Hillbilly Elegy from the library. I've quickly moved up the list for A Gentleman (38 on waiting list) but for Hillbilly Elegy I'm 231 on list for the audiobook and 251 for the actual book!

Look at Shiloh. I was impressed with the quality. Also if you're near any of the Amish/Mennonite communities, I would definitely look to them. Out of desperation, I made an appointment with our local Mennonite store. My first words to him were, I know you're totally custom, and you're probably way out of my budget but let's see. I was frustrated because I was compromising on what I wanted in terms of cabinets, and finishes. They came in $20,000 under my budget and I'm getting everything I want. No compromises.

great advice up thread when choosing different countertops/backsplash-mind your flooring since it's a big surface that won't change. reads warm to me..you also describe it as such for a fun global look I'd go with patterned backsplash(but much warmer in its pallette that the one you're posted), simple Quartz (no movement/minimal movement) that is a good support to backsplash in terms of color, and also works with the flooring.. Maybe you decide to go with some quirky knobs. Maybe you paint the island only. You can consider changing some cabinet doors for glass if displaying things is something you like, and you're not put off with the thought it needs to be tidy all the time. It's not a lot of storage, so consider that. Have fun with light fixtures..and your kitchen while small is not tiny or dark..you can just accessorize it to your liking with ceramics and a rug and towels and plants..it's a good enough background. If absolutely in love with marble look quartz-make sure it's not too cold a color next to your floor..and don't do patterned tiles. Go with simpler tiles then. Because one of these will steal the show anyway. Too much pattern for one small kitchen. And you'll have-probably-a lot of pattern in your accessories too. Maybe even in your hardware and/or lights. These don't have to be just this or that. Of course should stylistically relate to your other choices. say, can't see cheerful ceramic knobs next to Calacatta..different sensibilities Nothing matches much in my house too in terms of decor yet one is much more restricted when picking hard surfaces for kitchen etc.

First of all, your cabinets will not look like that chip. When they are installed, take a sample door to the stone yard. When those two elements are in, you will be able to choose a backsplash. You need to see the cabinets and counters in your space and lighting. BM White Dove has a gray undertone.