You ALL are totally awesome for helping (sorry if I sound like a teenager!) Great ideas and advice. You all are so right about the paint color--I can see it now. Thanks for taking the time to show me examples! (The existing paint is actually more of a gold- but looks yellow in certain spots and colors). I love those examples of the darker red backsplashes, boxerpups, with cabinets similar in color to mine. Red wouldn't match anything in my house, (I know you weren't suggesting that)but maybe a burgandy or maroon or rust would! Noobee- I can't get over how that darker backsplash you did (in the cut and paste you did over my kitchen photo) makes the cabinets and granite pop and ties it all together. I love it! I think that seems to be heading in the right direction--though perhaps the exact colors and pattern need tweaking. I love the look! Though there isn't any actual brown in the granite, some of the garnet does appear brown-here and there. Do you think I'd need to have gray in the backsplash to tie in with the granite if I went darker, with mixed colors, like that? Also, Noobee, how DID you do that cut and paste-is that a paint program that comes with windows or adobe photoshop by any chance? I'd love to try and play with that myself. I have been visiting a few tile shops, and even the salespeople there have been having a hard time finding the right solution for me. One lady who was working with me is even a trained interior designer. She was thinking darker would work, too, but was having a hard time finding just the right tile. So I really appreciate your suggestions.

Actually, the link is correct. That's the right picture. I did try to contact the designer via Houzz but she was not commenting back. I then tried her website, but it was under construction. So when all else fails, pick up the phone and call the designer :) Thankfully she is in my area and directed me to the store where the tile was purchased. She told me it was a 1/2" x 1" gray stone. She didn't have the exact name, but with the help of the gal at the showroom, I think we found it. It has both the grays and the tans I'm looking for, has the classic but casual feel and goes with all the "potentials" for my kitchen choices. It is called Nova Blue by the Quarry Collection. Here is a picture with my floor and two of the counters I am considering Caesarstone Pebble (L) and Caesarstone Shitake (R). It also looks good with Mocca Juperana (granite) and so many other options! What do you think? (my "inspiration" pic is linked in my original post)

I have been sidetracked lately! We have been thinking about adopting a 3rd cat, and now are thinking of a 4th, too. A lot to ponder! My husband thinks I am crazy. Just hope we do not regret! Anyway, back to my sad room. JGBMe: Are you sure you are new? I knew someone here with a similar name and they were always so helpful to me, just like you! No, I am not married to the color in the sunroom. I did not paint it. I just like that it feels sort of done. The PO put in those nice, matching Restoration Hardware curtains and I would not be able to stomach getting similar ones for the same price! You are right, though, the undertones in general are a problem. Part of the issue is that I picked the paint when different lighting was in the room (sconces that were so dim and cluttered the walls). Now the new can lights are good in the daytime (very dark without them), but feel VERY cold and too bright at night. (I dim them, but everyone gets annoyed at me!) Makes the paint look its worst at night. I also agree that it is very monotone. And, you are right about the brick-- that is why I have done nothing! It is just that the brick is so "busy." I feel like the contrast of the bricks makes it look like a Caricature Fireplace. The mirror I have there will have to be toned down if it stays with some Rub n' Buff, I think. Lirio, thank you so much!!! You are a wealth of information. I can repaint the sunroom. I agree that the shades are way too stark. I did not pick them (PO). In fact, I never use them in the sunroom, so I could take them down completely. In the LR I am either going to replace them with something more natural OR get sheers. Part of why I want sheers is that one of my views is my neighbor's stark white house. It is glaringly white, and a very boring view. I wish I could go paint some nice picture on the side of their house, haha! Can't plant anything because the shared driveway is right there. The stained wood trim does complicate matters, for sure. I also don't get why the baseboards are a nice size, but the crown molding is on the wimpy side. Why??? It simply would not fit the character of the house to paint the trim, however. Our stairs are really pretty in the same wood and I love the color of the hardwoods (matching) in the DR and sunroom. I played around with the BM site, painting the ceiling the same color as the walls. It helped, I thought, with not just the trim issue but everything. I will think about painting just the crown molding, though it would be a problem with the trim around the sunroom. I also appreciate all of the painting tips. It is making me feel better because I think NOT not painting the ceiling is not an option. What?? In other words, I have to paint the ceiling! It will make a huge difference. How neat about your honeybees! We just went to hear a talk given by a local beekeeper. Amazing. I bet your hive boxes are the talk of bees everywhere! I'll try to remember them and keep the fun in decorating! annkh, WOW. Love the paint colors you chose. It really makes such a difference. What I like is that the ceiling works so well with the wall color, that it doesn't stick out. Very warm and inviting! Roarah, you are right-- the ceiling contrast is not quite so jarring IRL, but it definitely does nothing for the wall color. The problem is, wall color aside-- it does nothing for the trim. And yes, the curtains look pretty horrible with the wall color. I just put them up for now (didn't mean to use them) because I also am tired of just seeing the stark white shades. I am having a problem with the linen curtains because the fabric I've found is either too yellow or too brown. I don't know where to get a simple "off white." I am also considering muslin, if the color would work better. You are so right that paint should be last-- I broke this rule and am paying for it! Thank you so much for the compliments. I really need them! I get very discouraged looking at the room. I don't even want to be in it sometimes, because it feels so thick with the brown mud walls! And, it's not always clean! There isn't a lot in the room for the kids to mess up. :) Of course, since we are still trying to figure out how to prevent another flood in our basement, we lost a major part of our house and toys are encroaching areas that do not have enough space. Me and my first world problems!!!!!! Thanks again, everyone. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you helping me with this!!! Seems like there is a lot of work and $ ahead, but I will take it slow. You have helped me focus on major areas that need attention and how to approach them.

I like the concept of the "wide shelf all the way across" like CPArtist has shown above. Yes, it's mainly a Craftsman thing, but I think it can work in other applications as well. If you're going to use tile on a fireplace, I agree with going with something really great -- and handmade to your specifications sounds ideal. This is a focal point, not a place to scrimp! I think "taping it out" is a wonderful idea. You'll need a big, wide space, but go into a hallway if you have to. Or even do it outside. So many of us are visual people, so SEEING is best. If you're trying to fit a TV on one side or the other, here's a question for you: Must your built-ins be symmetrical, or would you be okay with one side -- the TV side -- being larger than the other side? This question has no right or wrong answer; it's your opinion. And one last thought: If you do end up with a SMALL fireplace (and I didn't do the math, so I don't know), you might consider going with a small wood stove (or a gas stove that looks like a wood stove) instead of a fireplace. Do some googling. It can be a good look, either inside a masonry fireplace or placed in front of a stone or tile wall.