Hi all, Just wanted to circle back for the benefit of anyone in the future who looks at this question. We went back and compared the carpet we chose to the "true friezes" and "true saxonies" they had. This Essential Living is something Karastan calls a "textured saxony." Fiber is much, much thicker, and considerable looser than a real saxony. Unlike the saxony, you can't make lasting footprints (or draw smiley faces as my son did), in the Essential Living carpet. About the same texture as the friezes, just a teeny bit longer and a little bit looser, and a bit softer. It's not as long as I remember it, and carpet vendor says they've had lots of experience putting it on stairs with no wear or safety issues. With his guidance we did scale the padding on the stairs back to a dense, thinner, pretty unyielding felt that should reduce concerns about too much padding/curve on stair treads. Thanks so much for all your help!

Walnutcreek, what a cool lamp! Somehow I'm really seeing that on a buffet or a console table. It would be gorgeous! Suero, that table is lovely. You're right, it's way more than I want to spend, but it's absolutely beautiful, as are all the other things on their web site. I like all the choices of woods and finishes too. Well, the budget's a problem. As is my lack of ability to make a decision. I'm currently stuck between the West Elm nesting coffee table paired with the Ethan Allen end table with drawer; and the Crate & Barrel Sims coffee table & matching end table. (For the second end table in either case, I'm going with that little orange metal table.) I think the wood on the Crate & Barrel tables is much nicer, but the tables themselves are a little boring; in addition the West Elm + Ethan Allen (gads, how many people pair *those* brands together?!) are more practical since they give me a drawer and a de facto shelf or two. Have read not such good things about West Elm quality - not sure if that applies to this table, which is constructed differently from their usual furniture. And it irritates me that I'd have to pay $70 in shipping, for this table!!! (And it doesn't even come assembled!) I don't know - there's the style thing. Maybe I just don't know who I am. I want to project a slightly funkier image than what I think I'm coming up with... maybe it's the carpeting that's the problem. The carpet ain't funky. And the funky furniture on top of the carpet just don't go. The furniture that goes with the carpet ain't so funky. I am *not* a fuddy-duddy! I'm NOT!!! (Or am I???)

Wow, you guys are great! EMH, it's called Golden Crema. I also found it called Crema Romanzo and Golden Delicatus. I think these places just make up names. LL, I don't know that I love red, but I don't mind it. I'm not sure I have any color I truly love. Although my daughter will say that black is my fav color because that's all I wear. I do have a Dobag rug in front of the fridge and another in the family room (where that 3rd window is) that I really like and that will stay. Here's what it looks like and its in front of the fridge I think i'm liking the Suzani direction for the reasons Marcolo stated - kind of hip & current, but an ancient pattern. I like the Ikat's too. pllog,melissa, right - since it is for Roman shades, I won't ever see the whole big red circle. I won't ever pull the shades down. I really could care less if the elderly Chinese couple next door sees us cook. It is more rusty than bright Chinese red - the local fabric shop near me has it in their window so I've visited it in person. The smaller circle is definitely a rust that matches the rust (caramel) in the granite. And the cream background is the same as the granite. Yeah it will probably make the pendant disappear, won't it? The pendant actually has red about 1/4" all around the bottom. I wanted a bolder one but this was the only one my husband liked. Florantha, wow, thanks! It will be 2 shades within the window frame. I hadn't even thought about randomizing the pattern. Would you? I didn't even think out of the symmetrical box! I should stop in C&B - that Marimekko is cool. I remember them having a pretty good selection of fabrics for purchase too at their design center (if it is still in that store downtown!) Mikomum, thanks! There were more windows in the original plan, but when the costs came in, we got rid of the required steel beam and went for shear wall instead. Those windows are south facing so the light is good all year/all day long. The piece in the back is more kitchen cabinets, although with small knobs rather than large pulls, 27" deep to hide the stereo equipment. Yes! Florantha does deserve a gift certificate! I like the birds! And the brown with red flowers one! (maybe I do like red ;) The grey/black/white ones might work perhaps, but for some reason don't seem warm enough to me? (But what do I know, I'm really bad at this stuff...) I also failed to mention that I planted a tree outside that window. The kitchen is like 1 story (almost) up, so eventually we will have greenery visible in the lower part of those window. It won't get tall enough to block any light, but will be bright green. I forgot the name of the kidn of tree, but they are pretty common here. It's got very small leaflets on willow like branches.

Where are you terminating the kitchen floor, at the edge of the cupboards or dining room? I'm a huge hardwood in the kitchen fan (I've had it in 2 kitchens over 10 years)however I'm more nervous putting a STAINED dark hardwood in the kitchen as it is a bit less forgiving than natural. If you ever have a pipe leak with a natural colored hardwood, you can spot-fix. Much trickier with stained hardwood. How is that riding the fence between your husband and yourself? LOL! If you go with tile, I really would go quite a bit lighter than the hardwood. If you have your heart set on a darker floor in the kitchen, you may want to consider a mid-tone slate (depending how it would look with your granite) Just remember, dark tile will show pet hair, crumbs and wiped up spills more than mid or light tones. Good Luck!