Thanks everyone! I think a soft black maybe the way to go, as I have alot of antique/vintage linens,china,silver pieces and feel more comfortable using accessories for color and not big hits. I will get chair pads made in a color - red or yellow ;-). Depending on cost maybe 2 sets. I love toile and am a gardener by trade so maybe some kind of toile with large botonical prints. I know I have alot of work to do in the adjoining room too. The Kitchen Tour also has local chefs, resturants & catering businesses set up in our kitchens, so I have to leave room for the tastings. I can use my own platters & dishes, linens. I will do up flowers for all rooms. The sunroom french doors will also be open and will let more light into the space. It will take me a few weeks to get everything painted and done up but I will post photo's when it's all done. Thank you so very much! oh .. teacats will you post a photo your stools? Anyone else with black chairs post too?

So I painted my island today. When I get a project in my head I can't wait to do it. Not always a good thing. I went with the BM new Affinity paint, color Thicket. I am torn. I really like the shade but wish it were a little darker. When the sun comes in the room it really lightens it up and I think paint on wood appears lighter than when it's on a wall. Maybe just my imagination. Linelle, I am wondering now if I would have the same problem you had with the camouflage, which I love in my bathroom. But there is no natural light and maybe it would make a difference putting that in my familyroom. The color chip for my island is darker than camouflage and yet it appears so light. Boxer, thanks for the photos. Love them all. Some are light and look really nice even though not a big contrast. Same with yours Sus95. Very pretty kitchen and it doesn't look like a big contrast. I should give it a few days and see how I feel. Really don't want to repaint. Wondered if I could do some kind of glaze to give it a darker look yet still have that green/brown shade to it? Any thoughts? I have beadboard on the back and sides. Might make it look like stripes and too busy?

@Ivy Lou yes I have the floor sample, so that will be very helpful! Your idea about what type of granite is what I was thinking. @rebasheba I agree about the sisters comment! I'm just having a hard time figuring out what I like. I'm kind of picky and I feel like I don't have a "style." When I like it, I know. The floors will definitely act like a neutral. The won't stand out (except for their beauty!) I have a stainless sink, faucet, and appliances. I would like to bring in a warmer metal, maybe brass, for the cabinet pulls. I think I will have very simple glass globe pendants over the island. The adjacent dining nook will probably have a brass fixture, to tie together the cabinet pulls.

@ital mover and @tartanmeup I understand your theory, but have you ever looked at color vs. economy? I don't have a clue to your ages, but I have been around longer than I like to admit. When we had stay at home moms and most every family had 2 cars, took week long summer vacations, owned their own home and the middle class was comfortable we had tons of color. When you think of the 50s we had pastels, The 60s got brighter, bolder The 70s started out great, but the steel mills closed and industry was beginning to wane - colors got more earthy, neutral. The 80s/90s we saw the Dot Com era boom and again saw brighter, livelier colors and then the crash brought us squarely into the builders beige and white era. The housing crash took us from beige to gray. (Signifies a need for security) We are seeing more white now than we have for decades. White signifies hope. At the same time we have seen stocks rising and people becoming more stable. When we have confidence we go bold, when we are timid or frightened we go neutral. When I look back at trends before my time the trends still mirrored the economy. Gray and careful during the depression, bright and cheerful during the Victorian age. I hope I live long enough to see bright red and lime green walls be the latest rage!