sophiesmom, thank you for posting those pics. We have been looking at brown quartz and I got a cafe brown sample from Blanco. I think it goes well with most of the samples, but the anthracite definitely goes well with your granite. It looks beautiful! It does look like you'd want to have some black in your granite for that color sink. The cafe brown is not any darker than that, but it is on the gray side of brown. It definitely does not go with reddish brown. chrismunnrun, I would go with the darker color, not the bisque or metal gray. Those who have them seem to love them, but those who have the darker ones seem to have no trouble (overall) with keeping it looking nice.

You guys r so gr8, ,, thanks for responding:) It's just a tough decision.... But I think you are right olychick! Once painted it would b very difficult to go back. I just wasn't sure if light stain was "in" theses days... I have had that table for so long...would not mind a new one to tell the truth! Nosoccermom, thanks so much for the photos!! They r beautiful! No we haven't selected hardware until we decide the finish. If white was going to go with the cup style brushed nickle drawer handles & matching knobs on cabinets... But if stained light might go with something a little more contemporary, even though our house is a traditional 1976 model... Not sure if we should do that because may be selling it soon... Have to keep in mind the masses... Live wire, you r so right.. Little contrast in here... Guess I'm afraid... I love to paint& Contrast is what I struggle with in my paintings also! I think with the dark countertops (though not much of It) would that not be too much dark?? Plus since it is so open to living R that is mostly whites & tans ( one whole wall is a painted off white brick fireplace... Hmmm, I don't like Mid tone brown stains at all.. Reminds me of the 70 cabinets we had when we purchased this place... But DO like the Very dark almost black stains... Something to think about for sure...

Biggest mistake for me was doing a wall of cabinets pantry vs a walk in pantry. Never again if i can help it! Even with slide out shelves there is not substitute IMO for a walk in pantry. Also in that pantry between wall studs i had single can depth storage shelves placed for all my can goods. So handy! Large deep drawers for my pots and pans. I love them. Have had two versions of them . First directly under the gas cook top and second in the kitchen island. I prefer the first. Of course if you have a range style stove/oven that’s not possible. Which leads me to cook top vs range. When we custom built i thought the only option would be to get a professional style range/oven. I came to find this just wasn’t for me. I’m tall. Bending down for the oven part all the time wasn’t a good fit for me. My favourite combo is a gas cook top and double wall ovens. Deep drawers that can organize your Tupperware/storage containers. Also a very deep drawer that i could stand my foils, parchment paper, wax paper etc. Up In on their side. Made storing them so easy. Built in flatware dividers, built in knife drawer. Im not into having a lot on my counters so i don’t care for a butcher block style knife holder on the counter. Same goes for spice rack. Cabinet with cookie sheet dividers. So nice to have! Built in trash and recycle can cabinet. built in soap dispenser. Especially if your sink is on an island. Not done as much anymore but something i still love is the flip down sponge storage on the face plates under sink. Again part of my not liking anything out and exposed i suppose! if it’s in the budget a pot filler at the cooktop. It’s not a make it or break it but when i had one it was nice! Especially for filling the big pots.

I’m putting in a new kitchen right now too and my cabinets are a light creamy beige color. My island is a cappuccino color. I’m thinking of a medium brown colored antique alloy hardware for the cream cabinets and a brushed nickel for the island. I’m going to bring samples of both home and see what looks best. My pendant lighting is a mix of bronze and silver both antique so thinking I could use the same for the hardware.