Janice, you're kitchen doesn't look dark at all, even with the dark backsplash and dark paint. Thanks. Plllog, I see what you are saying about competing with the fruit bowl. Here are 3 backsplash ideas, tell me which is best: The first idea is to use the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile with matching monochromatic matte white frame, then the rest of the backsplash with glossy white field tile with slightly darker than normal grout to make the grout lines stand out. The second idea is to use the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile with either matching monochromatic matte white frame or marble frame with grey veins. Then the rest of the backsplash with marble tile with grey veins and grout lines that would match color of the marble and disappear. A third idea is to have the rest of the kitchen in either glossy white field tile with slightly darker than normal grout or marble with grey veins and matching grout lines that disappear. Then in the area under the hood bounded by the windows have the monochromatic matte white fruit bowl large decorative tile surrounded by black tile taking up the rest of the space to add high contrast (such as tantrum 1 inch or black marble or black granite field tiles). (There is barely enough room for a 1 inch pencil or a 1 inch field tile like tantrum between a 1 inch frame and decorative fruit bowl and that would bring it to the 30" boundary line exactly with the tiniest of grout lines. I could also use a smaller fruit bowl decorative tile and have a larger space around it to work with. I am not sure what color or material would enhance the design or if the design is better with or without a pencil in between.)

Thanks, Johnatemp! Perhaps I should mention, there are two pendant lights on the second floor. One can not be seen in the photo. It is to the right of the one you can see. The window in the pic is 6'3" high x 4'3" wide. The one you can't see is about a foot shorter & the same width. So, totally there are 3 flushmounts, 1 down, & two upstairs, & 2 pendant lights in this hall. These all need to coordinate & be the appropriate size. Thanks!

Thank you all! I have made a few changes to the room, based on your suggestions. Ravencajun: I agree that ideally the darker framed boats/sunset picture will look better over the fireplace. But right now it's hiding a very bad bit of drywall patching! Also I'm still waiting for the perfect piece for above the mantle. I almost won something on eBay that would have been perfect, but it got away. The mirror doesn't bother me too much so I'm going to just keep waiting till I find something I love. ingrid: thanks for the suggestion about the rug. I did switch it and liked it better your way. Thank you! I'm currently trying out a different rug that I think most people would hate, but I think it grounds the room nicely. I'll probably go back and forth between the blue striped one and this one. justerrilynn: I love that bird!! Do you know where it's from? I took all your (as well as others) advice and changed the coffee table decor. I will keep looking for a couple more interesting pieces. olychic and lascatx: Thank you! I hope the close up of the coffee table, gives you a clearer picture. Do you think the base is still too white? Idaclaire: I did move the padded bench to a less obtrusive spot. Thank you! I'd like to keep it in the room because it makes cleaning a cinch! Just hide everything in it!! Lol. pkpk23 and nursetammie thank you ressurecting this thread. I kept meaning to updated you all on the changes I made. I know many of you did not like the glass pieces on the lower mantle shelf but they are handmade and special to me. In real life, they catch the light very prettily. I also added my 2 year old's latest masterpiece to the mantle, cause I'm terribly proud! :) Please let me know what you think!! I may not take all your suggestions, but I truly appreciate the discerning eyes! Thank you!!

You can get any species of wood grey as long as you have someone who knows what they are doing and are willing to cough up the insane price tag. With red oak what you will have to do is sand it, put a clear coat sealer on it so the red tanins won't bleed out into the stain, and then they can top coat it with a spray on semi-opaque gel stain, and then finish with another coat of pre-cat clearcoat. Manufacturers and good refinishers have their mix that will not look pink over red oak. However, this is not a cheap process. 6000 sq/ft of sanding, clear coating, and top spraying gel stain + the top coat? The price will make your jaw hit the floor so hard it will go through it. It would probably be cheaper to just take the floor out and buy pre-finished hardwood in grey and have someone install it. This way you don't have to move out of the house either.