I just wanted to update my post with a final decision. They pressed us for a stain choice two months ago and they JUST STAINED IT ON THURSDAY! How's that for urgency? Anyway, after much thought and consideration we went with Minwax Walnut gel stain for the front door. Thanks to all who offered thoughts and opinions. I think it turned out beautiful. Here are a few pics as I know that's what we all REALLY want to see... :-)

Good example and advice, JDez. Hollysprings, thanks, I think we might bite the bullet and do so. We will be empty nesters by the time home is built. WeâÂÂve built Poplar Grove plan (Southern Living, LooneyRicksKiss architect) and the house, agggh, it was gorgeous. We moved, will be moving again, and are old enough (or finally wise enough) to have figured out how we âÂÂliveâ in a place, what we cherish, what we âÂÂneedâ and also that which simply becomes waste and upkeep. We want to get it as right as possible, next go âÂÂround. MsFuqua7634, I will look those up now. Thank you all for taking time to respond, your time is appreciated. This post was edited by leelee7 on Fri, Nov 28, 14 at 12:55

OMG, the deep purple in Annie's library is gorgeous and perfect. And I've always loved her tangerine powder room and the orange in her kitchen. Brave use of two tough colors which turned out perfectly. this is the children's bunk room in my house, but I want to paint the woodwork white and the walls and ceiling BM Lemon Ice, a "lighter" (weight-wise) yello My favorite room in terms of color is my living room

Thanks Karen for your comment, and we ended up following your advice! We're just about done with the kitchen, and here's what we went with: We'll be replacing the dining room table / chairs at some point down the road, and countertops (getting installed this week) will be a white & grey engineered stone. We like the blue!