Thanks to all for your recommendations! I have only made it to the Benjamin Moore store but did buy a LOT of samples. I painted my samples on 1/2 size sheets of poster board to see which ones I liked the best. Of those, I painted my top 4 colors on foam board which is really easy to prop up with my tile and granite samples. So far, I'm really liking the BM Bone White and BM Frappe. The warmer colors seem to work best with our lighting and dining/living areas. Thanks again! ~Des

You know, between reading this thread, following LavendarLass's amazing update and just a little bit of history; I've become even more convinced than ever that the ubiquitous "timeless" white kitchen is indeed a fad. There is nothing "timeless" about a kitchen that never existed 100 years ago. A hundred years ago, a kitchen was made of free standing appliances and cabinets, what is known today as an "unfitted" kitchen. Then, some brilliant ad maker convinced everyone that they should have cabinets built and "fitted" to their space. So begins the rise of the current kitchen trend. If you REALLY want a "timeless" kitchen than you would go for the MOST basic and simplest "kitchen" used since the beginning of civilization. An open fire (in or outside the house) with a single large pot suspended over it. And you would wash your dishes in the creek down the way. Doesn't sound like your cup of tea? Then ignore the trends and put in what you like! ;)

Coffeeaddict - I second marcydc's suggestion to talk to someone who installs would that comes highly recommended. We had the wall removed between our kitchen and dining room and had natural maple wood floors installed in the kitchen to match the rest of the 100 year old floor and several people have given unsolicited comments that they can't see where the old floors end and the new floors begin. Keep in mind that if you look closely (i.e. as the owner) there are differences. Some of the old boards have a slight gaps between them where the new boards are snug and seamless. The old boards are long, each board extending the length of the room, the old are normal random pieces from 2 - 6 feet. We did have the entire 1st floor refinished at once - but I don't even thing that is necessary (but makes it easier.) We had to patch and even weaved in new boards and it looks great. I would also second the idea of some wood counter - maybe the island (if you have one) peninsula, or the edge of a counter as butcher block. I also love walnut counters or cherry counters. You can even search in the forum for the discussions of those who like having wood around the sink. Wall paint can help as well. Even if you have cooler colors you can be surprised with a shade of yellow that is a little green or a little whatever that works with your pallet. Or a warm beige/gray. We have a color called pismo dunes (it is a BM AC color) that is sometimes brown, slightly gray but warm and elegant and looks great with the white trim in our room.

A couple people have commented on the horizontal outlets. An idea I'm sure I got from GW along the way. It seems like a pretty simple idea but can take some active coordinating on your part if you want it done right. Have that tile picked out and a sample on hand so everyone can see what you're talking about. I believe the electrician should wait until the counters are in before he puts in the "boxes"(don't remember official word). The wires were all there of course though. Then I showed him the tile and told him I wanted the outlets to sit in the second row of tile. I did not bother with making him place the boxes so that the entire outlet would reside within one single tile. That would have required the tile guy to come in and map out his plan way ahead of time. A couple outlets actually did end up begin w/in one tile but to me that wasn't such a big deal. The tile guys seemed to have more trouble with the whole thing. I guess not many people do this. There was a lot of back and forth about how to cut the tile around the outlets, but eventually he figured it out and it looks good. My outlet covers are 2.75'' high and my tile is 3'' so they sit w/in the grout lines. I asked for paintable outlet covers and then took a sample of my tile to Lowe's to have a small tin of color matched paint made. It actually worked!