Granite update: Well, the granite installers are gone until next week. Here's what was done: Counter along the window wall was installed. There was originally a 1/2" gap b/w the wall and counter on the DO side. But, they ground down the granite and it's now a little more than 1/4". The refrigerator side is a little more than an 1/8" Their next step next week is to build the wall in slightly to narrow the gap on the DO side even more. (Remember, for a year or two I will have no BS.) They will use an "acrylic latex" caulk along the wall when they're done Since the window counter run was too long to fabricate in one piece, they had to put in a smaller piece and we will have a seam. Right now, the seam is very visible and rough to the touch as well as 2 different levels. The edge also shows that the two pieces are different thicknesses too. The edge seam is very obvious to the touch as well...w/one side deeper than the other. [Pictures below] Next week they plan to bring out a water grinder/polisher to grind down the seam. I hope they plan on doing something about the color of the seam as well! The cooktop wall is also too long for one piece, so I will have a seam over one of the 6" filler pullouts. However, while maneuvering the right piece into place (they brought it in turned the wrong way), they damaged a cabinet. [Pictures below] At first they were just going to replace the cabinet but now they want to try to repair it first. Originally, they told me they were going to bring in Furniture Medic, the people who repair furniture at the White House. However, two of them said they didn't come out this far and the other said he doesn't do kitchen cabinets! They called around and everyone they talked to either would not come out this far or wouldn't be able to come out for a couple of weeks. So now, they're going to have one of the contractor's people try to fix it Monday...I'm not confident this person can do it, but I will give him the chance. They have promised me that if I do not like the repair job they will order another cabinet. I'm also not convinced it's not a structural issue...there are two cracks in the face frame piece that holds the side of the cabinet. Because of this problem, they did not install the counter on the cooktop wall. They placed the left (larger) piece on the countertop...the opposite end from the damaged cabinet and they put the piece that will go over the damaged cabinet in our DR for now. Another issue I have w/the piece currently on the DR floor is that we will 5" b/w the edge of the countertop and the edge of the sink. Others here have said 5" is too much and that it causes back problems. They insist that w/a corner sink you have to have the 5" b/c the don't want to risk having the sink run into the cabinet. Our contractor measured the sink and the cabinets and said they really only needed to allow for 4" They fabricators had the template, I don't...

I've seen all of those options done, it is really personal preference. Personally, I think that the sdl grids mentioned above would give you the "richest" look regardless of color. I'm not crazy about the stained wood with white GBG look, but then again, I'm not a huge fan of the white window with stained trim look either. Its pretty common, but it makes it look like you have vinyl replacement windows. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but you are paying a premium for those Marvins so you may as well take advantage of that.

Oaks and Hickory have too open a grain. Even American cherry ... but test stains on the back of the register to make sure. Start by trying just clear sealant, then any stain where the color is close to the final floor color you want, which appears to be a medium reddish brown. Ignore the names - your floor is bamboo and the register may be Brazilian walnot and the best stain color may be "chestnut".

Very pretty kitchen, nice backsplash. The lemon grass looks a touch green and your backsplash looks very blue in the photo. Does it work with the countertops and the marble in the backsplash? If it's not too yellow, then it should be fine. You want to look at something that matches the countertops but is light enough for the cabinets. To keep if from looking like a battleship, stay away from blue gray and seafoam colors.