I just found this one on overstock.com. I really like it but am SO scare to buy chairs over the internet (I need 4 of them). What if it arrives and it is too mushy or the chair is not heavy and solid? It would cost me a fortune to send it back. I have not found what I want in a regular store so I might have to turn to the web! Help!!

OK no joke - I just bought 2 stools at Bed Bath and Beyond (hudson style). they were on sale for $20 each, something like that. I bought them so I would have stools for template day (no laughing). Turns out the seat fabric matches EXACTLY the ultra suede (whatever) I've selected from Pompanoosuc for my chairs. HOWEVER - in putting the stools together, I decided to take my chartreuse fabric pattern and staple gun it to the stools. They are goregous and so much fun! and I left the ultrasuede under! They are bronze and match my light finishes. I hope they last b/c I really like them. but they will do for however long..... They were totally meant to be temporary but I really hope to keep them! PLUS THEY SIWVEL!

My architect/designer sez these days Granite prices lower than nearly all the other solid surfaces and contributes to its popularity espec if u r not looking for esoteric colors. Marble, which i have alot of in our offices for multiple conf and other tables, even in a dark shade, is "delicate" in the sense that it is brittle and can crack etc, and in a lite color maintenance is brutal b/c it will stain (not an issue with, say, a dark wine color marble like we have but it does crack). I have seen some Granite Tiles used where costs need trimming and when done in larger tiles, and done well and creatively, the look is acceptable and grout lines minimal. So you may be able to compromise in one area this way...it is the long lengths of granite that set you back. Soapstone is a joy b/c of the touch, and if you like it oiled up black, stains not an issue. Natural colors of soapstone are lovely but we have only used that in dining area cabinet tops in bar-like areas...and natural is not good for kitchen. (It also is great in bathrooms, even flooring b/c it isnt slippery). But soapstone is a more old-fashioned/colonial like look...not slick and modern My favorite for counters is Stainless Steel!!! installed in 1993 i still love it. But i would then warm up the look by having the island be done in something else. Also St.Steel with dark wood cabs really look warm and approachable.

Well, it's half-impressive. I got the painters who did the whole house to paint out the cabinets. I hired professionals to manufacture and install the marble countertops. And the floors were installed by professionals. But we raised and moved around cabinets, did the demo, clad the island and added new toe kicks and end panels, etc. We're the IKEA tung/linseed oil actually. I read up about it online and it was really well reviewed by finishing carpenters who were surprised by the quality of the product when they tried it out. The island is a custom hard block maple though. We used the IKEA solid oak butcher block in the laundry room, and it's not super great quality. I'm glad we didn't use it in the kitchen.