That's going to look so pretty! I would paint the pass-through the same tan as the kitchen wall...and when you say "walk-through," do you mean the untrimmed doorway? If so, I would also use the tan. It will probably read a half-shade darker than the kitchen wall does, because of the shadow, and I think that will mark the transition really nicely, and set the new blue room off as a separate space more clearly.

I like the abrasive blasting idea. I'd waterproof it and install tile. Or better yet, wire brush it and install solid surface.

I very much like Beverly's 2nd photo of the mantle that extends perhaps 6 feet on either side of the FP opening, with shelving below on each side. It's dramatic and lovely. Back to landrstein's question about the 5.5' and 12'height dimensions that I suggested might be possibilities for the double mantles I was envisioning, those dimensions were for how far above the floor they would be, not how wide they would be. It would be good if you could get a designer to draw to scale what you want it to look like. It's important that you and the contractor are on the same page, and drawings will help you get there.

Hi !We are renovating the entire kitchen. It's a beautiful sunroom space with high slanted ceiling, lots of sunshine with full wall of windows on East and South side and one on west side. We went for Ikea Axtad White on the wall and parallel is an island which is Axtad Navy Blue.There is a custom ceiling piece and the range hood cover will match that. It's Pine wood white washed with Chantilly lace BM. Countertops are going to be concrete, and I'm thinking a light grey, as light as we can get it. Backsplash tiles are white as well. Lots of white 😬 So my question is for the walls. I was thinking going Chantilly lace for trims and walls in different sheens, (the ceiling is already painted Chantilly lace) and live with that and decide if I want more colour.But part of me wants to try Revere Pewter on the walls, maybe lightened a bit... The adjacent rooms have Pale oak on the walls and chantilly lace for trims etc..If you can spare your thoughts, it'll be appreciated!