Thanks for the input. I lean toward the Raven and Calacatta, too. (In fact we just told our contractor to put the order in for the countertop). I'm still not 100% sold on the marble tile, though, I originally wanted a carrera that would be more muted, but the tile shop we're using doesn't have anything that looks right with Raven. I just worry that the Calacatta is SO white. When I see kitchens like this: http://bungalowhomeinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/04/clients-home.html my eye is drawn to how cool the tile looks next to the cabinetry. Guess I'm also concerned that the calacatta has more movement in it, which could be distracting. I'm loving the look of this kitchen (also with Raven), but I don't know what the tile is: https://www.houzz.com/photos/south-pasadena-craftsman-traditional-kitchen-los-angeles-phvw-vp~14622889-Pasadena-Craftsman-traditional-kitchen-los-angeles Does anyone regret getting marble backsplash?

JMarino, I am not sure yet how dark will we go with floors but I do not think we will go much darker then the color we have. The tile will run in kitchen only. I did not include the original layout we have, but the kitchen is edged by the peninsula you see on the plan (which now is bearing wall) and the other floor that divides kitchen and dining room. Not sure yet what tile we will pick. I think it will depend on the material and color of the counter top we pick. We will be closing window in the kitchen (where the stove is on the plan) but have pretty big window (three in fact and they are on the south side) in the living room. Lots of light there but still we will be closing window in the kitchen. The plan is to run recessed light s, pendant light above peninsula. There will be a hood (most likely chimney like) over range. There will be cabinet over fridge. Plan was to have enclosed hood over the range but that plan just changed today when we bought hood (chimney wall mount hood-SS). So we will need to change that part of plan now.

If you like blue, you might try using a blue gray finish on your island cabinets only? It seems like so many try to attain a finished kitchen that reminds one of the old sienna color photographs. No one really wants to live in shades of brown and gray all over the world. That can be monotonous. I really like the backsplash slocoja shared in her photo. I bit of shiney is really pretty with the silver chrome appliances, but maybe limit it to one or 2 lines thru the center of your backsplash, and than use the choice for your countertops in the backsplash. I think you might enjoy that more long term. Especially since you have so many different heights of window frames, cabinet trim, lines of molded cabinet doors and vertical lines in your windows... Do a couple of lines of your silver, or even a dusty blue or blue gray even if you can find it(goes with any other color you can think of for the next 3 decades, like blue jeans do? LOL) if you like that amongst the backsplash which matches your counter top, and let your island be the color you have planned in your picture if so... That way your eyes won't tire of all the movement in the kitchen, so many angles on your backsplash, the reflection etc.. I would do it at the height that splits your outlets in half, one to 3 lines of horizontal mini tiles. Very pretty!!

thank you, what did you mean by "I would not take up the charge of the sink"? Do you mean you wouldn't bother replacing? Regarding the flooring....the rest of the house has the old school 3/4" oak flooring so if I change the flooring to hardwood in the kitchen and entryway, I would have to change out all the hardwood in the living room and kitchen. This was my thought process anyway. I did check out the cost and for the flooring I like, it would be a lot of $. To answer your question, the sq footage of the combined entry way and kitchen which is currently tiled, is about 170 sq ft. what did you mean about backsplash? I was thinking black granite counter top and then a simple backsplash and yes I def want a coordinated look. warm, inviting and not choppy and misfitting. thanks again