Is your great room open to the kitchen? I'm not good at looking at pictures of a house being built, at the framing stage. I'm trying to remember a poster who has a fabulous tuscan house, she had lots of pictures posted, that would be a great reference for hickory. Anyone ? Hickory, do you have a master plan for your finishes or inspiration pictures? and by tuscan, are you aiming for rough-hewn and rustic ?

I searched for this thread to warn you about something I just saw on Curb Appeal. There is a house redo on there now that is similar to yours. The guys had planned to add a covered gable (larger than what you originally wanted) to the front. The city would not approve because of setback lines on the property. They could not have a solid covered structure and had to go with an open structure. You better approve any plans with the city before starting roof work, or at least find out what the set back is for your neighborhood. The Curb Appeal episode should be online by tomorrow.

Frighteningly, I have a bird thing going in my house, too. Happened partly by accident (inherited mom's things) and partly as a response to the freaking Audubon party that happens on my lawn every day. I think it's the golf course nearby. Anyway, you need this picture frame in your kitchen, minus the unattractive married couple: There are lots of papers to explore besides Imperial Trellis. Neisha Crosland Majorelle in Mint, maybe: Ferm Living has some cute (Scandinavian!) paper: There's peekaboo from twenty2: You could maybe use Iconic panels, as long as they're not right behind the stove of course.

I like all your pull choices, but I have to admit the first stands out to me. My island, which is not built in so technically a piece of furniture, has different knobs than my perimeter. If some pulls are more expensive, you could use those on the island, and simpler on the perimeter - if budget is a factor. Love the countertops. For cottage, think about subway tile (which I have) or you also might want to consider beadboard. Some say beadboard is harder to keep clean, but I honestly have never found my backsplash to get all that dirty - but I do not have a slide in range and it looks like you don't either - otherwise you would need to consider making sure there is something fire proof behind the range. I don't know what the floral mosaics are - could you post a pic? I love floral anything:) Just something to consider - being short, I am not overly fond of microwaves over the range. I moved my microwave down from a micro shelf that was equally high a few years ago. If you can conceive of ever doing the same, save enough leftover tile to fill in the space if you ever change over to a dedicated vent, or take the micro down, tile behind and then put it back up so the tile is there just in case. Beadboard would not be too hard to patch in if ever needed. For down the road - two decor items that I have used in my cottage kitchen decor are vintage china and floral / botanical art. My kitchen is not like yours - it is older cabinets, but there are pics in my "my pics" idea book.