Okay. Sounds like you've been getting alot of misinformation and half truths. First, there's no such thing as a grout with the sealer built in. Many installers will try and tell you that about modified grouts which include latex polymers in the grouts, but that's bigtime false. The other, which is more of a half truth is concerning epoxies. Although there's no sealer built right in, sealer can not be used on epoxy grout, either, because it's actually a plastic, and as such, won't allow sealers to penetrate into the grout. However, it also doesn't NEED to be sealed being that by itself, it won't allow alot of the staining that normally occurs (although it also can't be said that it's stainproof-- that's also a mis-statement). Now, Many of your questions can be answered if you go to the top of the bathrooms forum list and click on the "gallery" link. I have a thread over there entitled Tile FAQ's. In there, I go into alot of detail concerning grouts and the choice thereof. One of the things I stress is my opinion that you're better off choosing medium to dark colors in high traffic areas, rather than depending on grout sealers, because the BEST that they'll do is delay the inevitable. With the medium to dark colors, you won't see traffic patterns, staining, or aging of the grout NEARLY as much. This also goes for epoxy grouts, with respect to choosing colors. One other thing I say in that thread, and this WOULD pertain to you-- For the most part, it's my opinion that the use of epoxy grouts in residential installations, although everything people say they are, are very high priced overkill. There are only two times where I feel the use of epoxy grout is justified. One is if you're doing a tile countertop, and the other is if you have pets-- especially multiple pets, who might tend to have "accidents" every once in a while. Hopefully, I haven't confused you even further. If after reading this as well as the FAQ, you still have questions, don't hesitate to ask. :-) Matter of fact, I think your questions' going to be added to it, concerning the "grouts with sealer built in"!

Hi Plllog! "That is, I know it's possible, but might not be in your budget." See, there's the crux of it. This little beverage center idea of mine was not in the original budget. (Nor, alas, were new drywall in the livingroom and halls, the gorgeous walnut top on my used cabinet island, the matching gorgeous top that will soon be on the new media cabinet and the near full gut of the bathroom.) And we're still determined to get through remodeling our ugly duckling without taking out a loan or dipping into savings. Conventional wisdom says: Wait until the coffers are full again but that's so hard to do. First off, I'm a cheapskate. Even if the goose who laid the golden egg waddled up onto my deck and built a nest, I'm not sure I would willingly pay someone to mess up the walls I just paid to fix. Second, I'm not quite cheap enough. My new kitchen is starting to look pretty good but, gosh, it would look so much better if the microwave and coffee maker didn't take up so much room on that one counter. I'm willing to spend a little bit more to change that, especially since I'm going to have a piece of countertop leftover that should be just the right size. Still, it's nice to know that it's possible. Maybe when the coffers ARE full again I'll put a tile counter outside on my deck to shade the golden goose should she happen to wander by ;) Thanks for your help!

I love your color paint. I really do. It looks like a paint color called Sangria by Benjamin Moore. A favorite of mine But... Your space is crying out for more lighting and someting to lift it from the heaviness of the cabinetry. You can transform this space with a new paint color. You are blessed with a light counter and this means you can do anything you want. Your kitchen What is your favorite color? What colors make you happy? Not sure, look in your closet? What color do you see lots of? What makes your heart smile when you put it on? Sunshine colors like this are always light. This can warm the room but not turn it to fire. PaleDaffodil by Benjamin Moore a super soft yellow that is creamy when it goes up and if you don't have a lot of undercab lighting can brighten the space. Sassy Blue Sherwin Williams is a soft blue that gives off lightness but will make your cabinets really rock. In a gloss finish this can bounce light around the room to reflect. Cooking Apple by Farrow and Ball paints. This is a great color with dark woods. Here is an example of a medium paint with white trim. Lenox Tan BM with white trim makes the dark cabinet in the room really stand out and give the space a lighter feel. Not oppressive. From a Gardenwebber. Yes, this kitchen has large windows which bring in the light, but notice the painted ceiling and the bright choice of color with dark cabinets. It helps to give this space a freshness. And this person kept a little red around the windows as clearly they love red. Don't rule out red accents for your space like your pretty picture on the backsplash. Use that as your guide. Lastly paint the ceiling if you can. White or one shade lighter than the wall paint. It really is the 5th wall in a room . Some other colors that I would love to put on your wall.... Pear Green by Benjamin Moore Chiffon Blue by Benjamin Moore. This is a great color with chocolate cabinets.

And cork is NOT allowed UNDER VINYL. Vinyl only allows hard/flat/smooth underlayment (there are minor exceptions...but they are WAY outside your budget). A decent vinyl starts where your budget ENDS. Yes vinyl can be loud. Yes it can bounce and move. That's why you spend +++++ time (you won't spend money....so it is your dear ol' dad who will spend the time) getting this space ready for vinyl. Vinyl is VERY picky. And carpet hide THE WORST subfloors in THE WORLD! Which means the effort to get the hiden subfloor up to snuff for vinyl is going to be extensive (and if you paid for it...expensive). I would have a strong healthy look at the kitchen and decide WHEN you are going to remodel that 70's homage. The INSTANT you touch the kitchen, the flooring IN THE KITCHEN is going to have to come out or be changed out because of changes to the foot print. If you change the foot print then the LIVING room flooring may have to be dealt with (again) as well. Sigh. I know you want the "same floor" throughout, but it isn't necessary at this point. I would suggest you work with a "nice" laminate (and yes a 12mm laminate for $3/sf is BETTER than LOW GRADE vinyl for $3/sf) in the living spaces and leave the kitchen/entrance areas in a water proof floor - like tile. That way you can do the entrance/kitchen at a later date....when you are READY to deal with the kitchen. Because we can all see the kitchen is ready for an update. In fact, it has been ready for it's update for 20 years. Start at the start....the kitchen and foot print. Then move to the flooring from there. And your flooring budget is low. Please be aware of that. And low grade vinyl is NOT fun to live with. Especially in front of old windows that allow the floor to HEAT UP on sunny days. Vinyl will wrinkle and pucker when hot. And hot for vinyl is anything above 85F. When it comes to old windows (no UV protection, etc) a pool of sunlight can hit 100+ F inside of 1 hour!!! Now imagine how much vinyl that is going to destroy. Laminate doesn't care. For your budget, and situation, I highly recommend working with laminate in the living areas and tile in the wet areas.