Posted by budgeteer_s (My Page) on Wed, Dec 31, 08 at 18:18 Thanks for all your suggestions. I wanted so much to follow with ci_lantro's suggestion because then I'm done. I'll gladly let you snatch that paint brush out of my hand. ha ha. But at the same time if a little tiling will tie up the project, then I'm game. jodi_socal: I'm a little disappointed when you said fire and ice won't work. I just LOVE that F&I BS. But then agin, I think I know all along it's a little too much for my kitchen. Caryscott & petra: Thanks for the picture petra, it says a thousand words. Is spectralight glass tiles? Prices are pretty reasonable. What about that milk green color? will it work? maybe with some garnet pieces sparingly mixed in. I will take some pictures and post two HD Behr's paint card to aid in the discussion of color. Thanks again ALL! Correction: My tiles were Alfagres: Gema4x4: different from what caryscott posted: I loved what caryscott linked:

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughtful comments. I have made some pretty swooping changes on finishes in the last 24 hours. We are now going with the matte black stove from Big Chill to tie in the matte black wood stove that exists. Burnished gold knobs/pulls. Muted herringbone backsplash in shades of white and grey (TBD which exactly. Now looking at marble because we are saving a little on a non-custom stove color but may not go that way.) White cabinets, marble look quartz around the perimeter and a chunky butcher block handmade by my contractor for the island. Adding cobalt blue accessories in the window seat cushion fabric, stools painted in an enamel, dishes. Some pops of yellow and blue and white patterns in dishware. This house is more elegant and "grown-up" for my husband and me (in our 30s-40s) so though I absolutely adore color our dining room is a bright yellow and the powder room (both visible from the kitchen) is a deep blue with silver wallpaper. I think the eye needs a place to rest. The kitchen itself wants to be a classier, more graceful space, and the pics of Victorian working kitchens have all inspired me. I think we have got it!

Puleeese do not put in extensive areas of white subway tile! This seems to be a common avenue for homeowners and/or designers when they want to avoid making decisions about color. In my opinion, adding white tiles to your beautiful kitchen will turn it into a boring space. I really like your use of neutral wood flooring, white cabinets and the mix of stainless and black for appliances, and I believe now's the time to brighten up the space with some use of color. I'd install the backsplash material under the cabinets and go up to (what appears to be) the common height of the window, door and cabinets, including the space above the sink (background of shelves). Have you been to a big (good) tile store to see what's available? If you keep an open mind, you should be able to find several styles and colors that you like (and that pick up on a color from a decorative item on the over-the-sink shelves or that complement other colors in your home)--and you can usually bring home tile samples. If something you like is on the expensive side, consider using it in a limited way (a few above the stove/below the hood in a special design or a running line of them under the cabinets, etc.). Then go for a simple (no busy patterns), reasonably-priced (and coordinating) "field" tile for the remainder of the space--one that is simple enough so it doesn't clash with the items on the shelves, and keeping in mind the other black, white, stainless & wood colors in the room. As for the wall color . . . Once you have the backsplash installed, it should be easier to pick a wall color. Just bring home some store samples of paint colors to see how they look at different times of the day and at night. It usually takes me several trips--to cull out the ones that don't work and expand on the ones that do work--before I can make a decision. I suggest you use the same color (light or medium intensity that doesn't overtake your now-pretty backsplash!) above the backsplash & cabinets and on the ceiling, which will give the impression of a more spacious kitchen. Have fun and good luck!

Thank you for responding, not sure you saw the additional pictures but they are of the actual floor sample, those are the actual cabinets and countertop. Here is the dark cabinet sample, the floor sample and the countertop all places up against the tile for the fireplace. I did not have the cream wall cabinet sample to place there. Not sure what else finishing you are looking for, the floor isn’t actually installed yet so the white trim hasn’t been either. Why do I like the tile selection for the fireplace? The movement is interesting and it pops in an open concept area where the walls are all accessible beige and it goes well with the dark island cabinets (and the hood that will between the wall cabinets) and it looks good against the floor sample. I like neutral colors, but we need something to pop around the wall cabinets. It’s a tri-level house that is now open concept on the main level. I don’t like the trendy print/design that’s been around for 3-4 years.