Someone locally is selling a new, misordered white Kohler Purist tub for like 1/3 of normal cost, and I almost jumped at until I realized it had BubbleMassage and not the Effervescence i wanted (tiny bubbles rather than the usual big ones that quickly float to the surface and pop). I'm still intrigued with this tub - it, and its rectangular cousin the Kohler Sok, are like bathing in your own personal infinity pool. It's also a rare 2-person tub configured so you can either face each other or (my preference) face the same direction side by side, both in reasonable comfort. But I just can't fit a 46"w tub in this house (and thats before the obligitory deck built around it) so it will have to wait until my next move, which hopefully won't be too long in the future. Things I like in a bathroom that I really have: another Ikea Godmorgan sink cabinet (4' long x 18") with Odensvik sink - what an incredible use of space with those four deep wide drawers, thanks to the sink drain plumbing that's quickly pushed to the back, and the glossy drawerfronts, full extension drawer glides, soft-close feature, and wall hangability, along with the thick, glossy glazed ceramic top and nice chrome pulls I used, fool everyone into thinking it's seriously high-end stuff. As with a previous poster, the 18" rather than 21" depth went a long way to making the room feel roomier, since the deeper vanity would have been right up against the door opening. Since the Ikea sink doesn't have a backsplash, I put large ceramic tiles on the wall that look like Carrara marble. Nestled amonst those tiles between the sink and medicine cabinet is a 4" tall strip of glass/marble/metallic accent tile from Porcelanosa. Like everything else at that modernist boutique, it's expensive, but since I didn't need much it didn't matter, and the presense of obviously luxury-grade accent tiles further disguises that everything surrounding it came from Lowes or Ikea. Ditto the Pfister Kenzo waterfall faucet, which only set me back about $125. Looks 4x the price it is. California Faucets thermostatic tub/shower valve. Central lever controls temperature, with temperatures embossed in the metal, giving it the appearance of a dial on a nice wristwatch; just set your favorite temp and it keeps it. Below and above the large temperature control are two smaller levers for water volume control that can be used one at a time or both at once, for tub spout and shower, or fixed shower and hand shower, without the need for a seperate diverter control. All three controls fit on either a round or rectangular metal bezel, and there are loads of styles and finishes to choose from. Higher than average flow rate too. Much better than the Hansgrohe thermostatic valve I used in another room. An infrared heat lamp strategically positioned in the ceiling in front of the mirror and vanity cabinet, right under where you stand in front of the sink and mirror whilst drying off and styling hair. Also on the ceiling is a Broan QTR080L exhaust fan/light - very quiet, and the light uses a standard bulb instead of some funky compact fluorescent lamp that can only be purchase from an electrical specialty store, which is the norm for new exhaust fan/lights it seems. I put a retrofit LED bulb in there, which makes it even more efficient than the fluorescent bulbs most of these force you to use, and it gives off a more natural light too. Toto Drake II commode (or its skirted cousin, Vespin II). High quality, doesn't clog, perfect 16-1/2" height, cleans the side of the bowl extremely well (rare in 1.28gpf toilets), has two large water outlets instead of dozens of tiny holes that collect mildew so you can toss your toilet brush away. It's also slender so the space around it looks roomier in tight spaces. I used the Church 1720 slow-close seats from Lowes, which cover up most of their own seams at the back further easing cleaning (the lid on these sticks out about 1/2" beyond the seat and bowl underneath which looked odd at first, but that lets you lift the lid without touching the sometimes soiled parts underneath which I like). Also from Lowes, the Kohler recessed medicine cabinets mirrored inside and out, 26"h with several widths available, most for under $200. Would like them even better if the hinges allowed the doors (mirrored on the inside) to open further, but replacement hinges are available if you need that. Still, these look very elegant and are also very functional, with height-adjustable glass shelves. Home Depot has similar units with doors that swing open further, but they're not as well made. In another bathroom I used the Lowes Allen + Roth 31"w x 22"d vanity top in Blue Pearl, my favorite granite color, which was only $200 a few months ago but has risen in price some since. It's available in several other colors and widths too, all including an oval white undermount bowl. Still a good deal for a high quality granite top that fits atop loads of stock cabinets, though I'd prefer if it weren't pre-drilled for an 8" widespread faucet, generally ruling out using a single-hole or wall-mount faucet. These aren't stocked in stores, but they're not truly custom/built-to-order, probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere, and there's only about a one-week turnaround if you order from their website and pick up in their stores. These do include a backsplash, and a sidesplash is available too. Finally, nice sculpted lever handles on the bathroom doors, which allow them to be opened by pushing upward using the top of your hand if it's wet or soapy. I'm not a germophobe, but I like being able to do this before I'm about to eat a meal and want my hands to be clean and disinfected, and have guests over who may not have washed their hands after using the restroom. When used in the normal fashion, pushing downward with your palm, they're easier to open than round knobs.

As Divamum noted- I am amazed at the change in quality of life for our whole family. We went from tiny horrible nasty 1920's kitchen (fridge blocked a doorway, no counter space, stove blocked doorway, no vent....) to a marvelous kitchen that has the perfect feel. We captured 1920's charm with modern convenience. The space is so functional now- so much counterspace that it doesn't matter if there's a mess, there's still plenty of room. There's better lighting, more room all over. Not to mention a Wolf range that is amazing and a nice new fridge (Thermador freedom). Nothing hides in the back, nothing freezes in the fridge. We have this marvelous invention that is called a "dishwasher". My whole adult life I'VE been the dishwasher... On top of the function, there is beautiful soapstone that goes without oiling for months, and a beautiful floor of checkered marmoleum. Most of all, the function and space have now set me free to cook with my kids and throw dinners together after a long day out at work. We did tons of holiday baking and used cookie cutters for the first time (never had a clean enough, roomy enough kitchen to take that sort of time and care). The sheer space and pleasantness make the kitchen a focus for lots of living and entertainment. I'll also note the little desk we worked in to the side corner allows my husband or I to work late, but still be with family, and/or allows my daughter to do crafts galore. I knew I was yearning for a new kitchen, but I never thought it could make this kind of difference.

Thank you! Nesting12 I really like the kohler parq but my husband doesn't like that style. That style was my first choice. The reason I am chosing between the two I mentioned is because we will have a raised bar behind the sink and I don't want the faucet to be higher than the bar.

I over planned and bought too early. It was an error. Appliances sat around in the garage for months and I lost warranty time because that counts from date of purchase usually. When you buy too early everything is months old by the time it's installed. Take the list of must-haves to a big appliance store. Shop those features, take pix and make notes on prices. When you get down to actually designing the kitchen and know space requirements for various pieces that's the time to get more specific with actual picks since you will need exact dimensions for the cabinet order. Meanwhile, there is plenty of time for the inevitable learning curve. There is one no matter how many suggestions you might get. Now to answer your question: I have a built in Miele refrigerator. What I love about it is the amazing lighting, the sturdy build quality (no clattering or chattering doors when they close) and the door storage. I have a bottom freezer that's excellent and very cold. My fridge doesn't stick out much from the cabinets -- I don't care for that look. No big grill either. It's super easy to clean -- everything comes apart in just the right way and goes back in a minute. Very quiet and very reliable. But bi fridges are a huge cost commitment. I extensively researched bi fridge styles and didn't want storage loss with FD. I don't care for the taste of fridge water -- I have an excellent filtered water faucet which gives me terrific quality water that I know is OK. That's used for all drinking and cooking. No way to do that with a fridge door dispenser. Just a thought if there will be kids in the house.