OntarioMom, What flooring do you have in your Master? What kind of design/decorating theme do have going on in there? Is this a reno in an existing house, or a new build? You sort of have two different themes going on with the marble in BR and more rustic brick in Bedroom. I wouldn't worry too much about accent tile until you've decided on floor tile and wall tile in BR. Do you have an inspiration photo? I know what it's like to be at this stage, you're juggling several different things all at once. Personally, I think you either have to pick a counter material, and start from there...or a floor tile and start with that. I started my present BR looking at tiles, but when I picked my granite, things had to change, and I went in a completely different direction. As for your FP surround, I don't think it really has to tie in with anything in your BR, but if you're looking for continuity then tell us what your style is, and perhaps an inspiration photo or two... I actually have a very similar problem in my LR. I have Butterfly Blue granite on my pony wall and currently have a temporary Oak mantle and surround (that I bought off Craigslist), and some slate looking floor tiles laid down temporarily as a hearth. We have been looking at this unfinished hole with a non-working FP for oh about 7 years now...So, maybe I'm the last person to be giving advice, I seem to have no issue with waiting until the perfect solution magically appears! LOL You can see that I like Blue too!

I actually loved the research, but then I'm weird that way : ) The work was fine (partial DIY) as I love getting physical... up to a point. Now I'm just totally exhausted and sore. The decisions of what to buy, which to choose? My goodness yes I'm tired of it. Granted, some of it's been fun (easier choices) - all the kitchen 'jewelry' (faucets, pulls) were easy, as were the appliances (I can be pretty decisive about needs) but when it came time to tally up the cost, that was not fun! But big things like colors for cabinets, counter tops, "what type and how much and where" on the lighting... some easy, some hard. But I have to admit, despite all the difficult choices, I agree with oldbat2be when she said: "there's a lot of satisfaction involved in making the right decision and even more in recognizing that you didn't proceed with your original plan which wouldn't have been as good as what you ended up with" It's such a wonderful feeling to look at our choices and say YES, that's wonderful! And had we moved faster with our remodel, we would never have had the chance to change our minds or improve upon certain things. What I'm really tired of? Having to use the same utility sink to wash dishes, to clean up filthy hands, to clean up after our dog (who's in diapers now due to incontinence) and all the scrubbing and disinfecting of that dang sink! I hate carrying things all the way to it, carrying things back... oh to have a kitchen again! With a sink... no, 2 sinks! I'll be in kitchen heaven : )

just a voice on the other side...since you are on a budget... Since this house was built ten years ago and since it lingered on the market unsold, all kinds of things have changed in the house market. Buyer gripes from that period may not be the same as buyer tastes today and that same real estate agent may be looking at properties like yours with new eyes in this economy. New lists of what pays off and what does not pay off in house renovation indicate that in this economy, kitchen renovation might offer less payback than attention to curb appeal, decks, structural soundness, energy efficiency, and bathrooms. First thing you are now supposed to look into is whether front door is as great as you can make it! Articles from the last year indicate that kitchens are sometimes only a 60% payback item, although this can vary dramatically, depending on the kitchen. I would suggest that you do a lot of looking at actual places for sale in the community and discuss patterns of sales with a couple agents. The previous agent opinion has a lot of sway in your mind, perhaps too much. Find out if others agree. If you are indeed in a community of more higher-end houses than yours, your kitchen could be changed to make it a better companion to the others, but as-is it may be more affordable and accessible for buyers compared to expensive ones current buyers cannot afford. They say that paint is your single best investment. ___ I like the kitchen. I can imagine a lot of great adventures in it. You seem bothered by the "midrange" aspects of it, but there is a lot of higher stuff here, especially the layout and the spaciousness and the good taste of the features. It is not horrible and deserves respect. ____ Your kitchen is close enough to the fashionable light-colored kitchen style that you could play this up further. You need more contrast and less pastel on the walls. A stern mauve-gray? A teal blue? steel gray? Coral? Attention to that great wall beyond the table would probably be very useful, once you lose the wainscot effect and put forth a single paint color. A work of art? A distinctive display? You also have some great features in the woodwork--the grids in the window and the doors. These carry on the traditional theme we glimpse in the room (dining room?) beyond the kitchen. And in the outdoors room we see beyond the sliding doors. Once you get into the appliance replacement/upgrade trap, money just evaporates. Is it possible to locate a suitable used "bisque" range? Try posting a want-ad on bulletin boards, etc. Also contact appliance dealers as to whether they know of any used ones. What color is the ceiling? Could it be whitened? Is there a full eating area by the sliding doors? If so, is it possible to put a distinctive light over it? And could the table or chairs make a strong contrast to the lighter colored items? Backsplashes are fashionable and a choice that connects to the new paint color and which introduces a texture that is a counterpoint to the textures of the oak grain and the countertops and the floor might make the room seem very different. Backsplash could run under all upper cupboards--it would become significant enough to be a counterpoint to the strong presence of the cupboards and the new paint color paint color as a force in the room. It could also create too much tension and too much variation, so restraint might be in order. In the photos the floor does not seem to match the rest of the scheme. If this is true, it can be downplayed. Even a couple modestly priced rugs that draw out some of the new color(s) would help. A more flamboyant light fixture over the sink would add personality. Place mats, flower pots, similar items could repeat textures and colors of this room.

Have been thinking about your light fixtures. The one over the kitchen area is the equivalent of a ceiling fixture, but on a chain, right? I suggest that it spread sideways more, cover more realestate of the air if that works for you. [I also suggest that there be a piece of art riding high on the walls so that you bring eyes up to that fab vault.] Not sure if you are looking to replace the fixture over the table also. It's the currently unfashionable shiny brass, but it's also "important" enough to be a thing unto itself and something you might not want to replace. A gutsy person might find a way to remove glass, refinish it in a darker finish, and replace glass again, but not sure if that's a good thing. You didn't give us much help on your design direction, so have picked up on the ideas above. I looked at Overstock for a dark finished metal. These are roughly in your affordable range and generally have some drama. This exercise was very educational. And then there's this one in the Open box outlet at Lamps Plus (for $99.86 each, two available): http://www.lampsplusopenbox.com/31902.htm Elk lighting makes this one, which has some movement and drama: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/chandeliers/elk-lighting-5-light-elysburg-chandelier_g290271.html?isku=2693627 There's lots more out there awaiting your spending hours on the Internet...Have fun stormin' the castle.