I am waiting anxiously to see a2gemini's countertop installed. I've never seen a large piece of the Cambria Buckingham. I ordered a 12x12 sample, but even that isn't going to show the movement that could be on larger pieces. I was hoping to postpone the backsplash until everything is done so I can take some time choosing, but electrician wants to know what color for outlets and GC wants to know how to trim the window. So many decisions, I am exhausted from considering the options.

First of all, thanks to everyone for your kind words and encouragement. I was worried if there would be people out there that would appreciate my style and being on a limited budget, my selections. When I first started lurking on this site, I was a rustic kitchen snob! I didn't appreciate white kitchens as I live in the woods and didn't particularly like painted wood. Then I started really looking at all the different kitchens and everyone's designs and ideas and have come to appreciate every kitchen: white, natural, stained, whatever. There are so many ideas and styles. I have converted! Now I scroll through them all! Thanks for all the eye candy and the wonderful ideas. I have to admit that I stole some of them! This site is a wealth of info and others go out of their way to help us "design challenged" folks. Thanks for that! nc cowgirl: we bought the slate at a stone auction in Cleveland and got a great deal on it. Keep your eye out for home improvment auctions, they are the greatest! cat mom: I told DH that you said that the slate looks "fun" and he just grunted, lol. He had just gotten done cutting the edge tiles and it was 98 degrees here (no air conditioning). Due to the fact that these are natural tiles, they are very uneven, so grout lines have to be readjusted, tiles leveled and of course I have to put my 2 cents in as to what color goes where or letting him know that one tile appears higher than the other (toe jammer). He is glad to be done laying them, to say the least. Yesterday, he said to me, "isn't there somewhere else that you need to be?" haha I will post again with the finish since now I know how to do it and will show the before and after shots! Thanks again!

I ended up choosing Minwax Colonial Maple and I'm wondering if I should have gone with Golden Oak. I can't change it anymore, but Golden Oak seems more muted brownish(which I think is what I wanted?), whereas Colonial Maple seems orangish. Does anyone have a lighter wood(such as hickory or white oak) stained with Colonial Maple? I can't seem to find a photo of it to get an idea of what it will look like. I did a tiny sample on a hickory board, but it's not enough to really see what it will look like.

are you all saying to go ahead with changing the wall color or to leave it (due to changing the lightening)? Based on how it looks on my monitor, I think the wall color looks great with the warmer light and in the natural light photo you showed. I would not repaint. But how do YOU feel about the look now? Does the new lighting alleviate the initial concerns you had? I would still replace the electrical covers on the backsplash with either stainless or even a brown/black to match your cabinet pulls. And replace the blinds - either with wood textured shades (like the example posted above) or with fabric (not white).