It is confusing to set up a new kitchen because of all the choices and all the different but equally beautiful outcomes. Take the time-it may be many months-to get a vision that feels right. Start by looking at lots of pictures of different kitchen-there's a bunch at houzz.com and http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/. Save the ones you both like and would coordinate with the rest of your house's style (modern, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't worry about coordinating with colors in the living room-at least not yet. Set those saved kitchen pics aside for a couple of weeks and look at them again. Don't be surprised if some of the pics no longer thrill you. Take a better look at the kitchens that made the cut. What do they have in common? Are they all bright and cheery? Or maybe dark and rich in deep tones? Do you find yourself drawn to the graining of wood or to the uniform surface of paint? Uniform counter surface or lots of movement? At this point, you'll probably have narrowed it to a handful of choices. Not too bad. So, layout is next. The room will dictate most of that. Your budget will also influence the layout-changing plumbing and electric locations cost more money. The folks here are very good at pinpointing pitfalls of designs and reworking them into something more functional. With layout completed, time to pick the cabinets and granite. I think most folks pick out the cabinet color first since it occupies the vertical surfaces and dominates the room. Then take a sample of the cabinet color with you to select the granite. Note: there will be stunning graintes that you just love but won't look great with your cabinet. Keep looking-you'll know it when you find "the stone". Do keep an open mind-don't shop with a list of names since they vary from yard to yard. Take pictures to help remember, but realize that colors may not photograph "true." A few caveats. Do determine a budget ahead of time and try to stick to it. It's real easy for a more modest remodel to snowball into a total gut job. Don't be persuaded into buying gadgets/appliances you don't need. Do consider the impact of your choices on resale value. Are you willing to decrease resale potential to go with unpopular choices (like black counters with black cabinets)? Even if you have no plans to sell, life throws curveballs. There have been many posts here of "forever" homes being sold within 5 yrs of remodeling. However, it is your kitchen; in the end, it's your preferences that count.

Gail, I was nodding while reading your post...exactly...for whatever reason polished marble seems more appropriate for an older home than granite. Maybe it's because marble has been used forever on/in public buildings, threshholds, antique furniture and mantels? We were torn between honed and polished as we loved both looks, polished won out because it was much cheaper than honed. I've googled around and found repeated claims by the experts that green marbles that are serpentine do not etch. Here's a few: What is Marble? It is a natural stone formed from fossil sediment deposits, which have been placed under the earth's tremendous pressure for at least a few million years. The combination of the natural materials in these deposits, along with natural geologic events, produces unique veining with a richness of depth and intensity. Marble material is generally softer than granite, therefore scratching occurs more so on marble. This characteristic should be considered when making your stone selection. Generally, marble countertops are recommended for such places as: bathrooms, bar tops, fireplaces, etc; and granite countertops are generally utilized for kitchen countertops. Aside from our recommendations, if so desired, Marble can be used for any countertop. Marble is available in a multitude of colors from light to dark, and generally boasts beautiful flowing veins. This unequalled beauty makes marble a natural choice for countertops, bath vanities, wall and floor tiles or slabs, and tub and fireplace surrounds. Commercially, the term "marble" applies to any compact limestone that will take a polish, which includes most of the colored marbles, except some of the greens. Can I use a marble countertop for my kitchen? Marble countertops can be scratched more easily than harder stone such as granite. Marble is sometimes used in the kitchen as a pastry slab; its perfectly smooth, cool surface is ideal for rolling out dough and piecrusts. However keep in mind that the ideal material for the kitchen is granite. Marble pieces that have a honed finish will not etch because their surfaces start out with a matte finish. Because marble (and limestone) are calcium carbonate, the polished surface is more vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, ketchup, citrus and a host of other food-related products. These acidic substances cause a chemical reaction that will remove the polish. Does green marble countertop require special treatment? Some green stones, such as the "jades" from Taiwan, are not truly marble, but a different material called serpentinite. Serpentinites, or serpentines, as they are sometimes called, do not etch or react to acids the way limestone and marble do, and are somewhat harder. Green tiles of this family must always be installed with an epoxy adhesive to prevent the curling that can take place if a water-based setting material is used. And this: What is etching? Etching happens when acid in some form comes in contact with a polished marble or limestone surface. This causes a chemical reaction that removes the polish, or roughens the surface of honed stone. Green marbles, such as the "jades" from China are resistant to etching, and granite is impervious to any common household acids Hope this helps!

Still has a retro vibe because the style of cabinet shows...late 50's . I'd get the boomerang or retro laminate type....maybe solid color-avoid gray or black- just not upbeat enough. Look for retro hardware they are reproducing now.-chrome-have you purchased the satin nickel pieces? Lighting can be ceiling or close to ceiling fixture-catalogue search at your leisure-maybe a track fixture if one suits the space. My goal would be a lighthearted fun attitude w the counter /hardware.

Doreen, thanks for the follow up on the Miele! I bought new GE's and and not happy. Too big and too noisy! FYI, back when I was researching, I think i recall learning that the Miele washers and dryers, even the small under the counter model, can handle a large comforter....something about they are able to remove a lot of the air they contain thus making the load effectively smaller. Seems counter-intuitive, but you might want to contact Miele for more info about that. I really need to be able to do bedding, so it is a big concern. BTW, would love to see your 'after' photos!