Hey Steph, Ya as far as laminates go I think it is pretty nice - I have actually seen them use it on Design Inc. Here are more pics but it doesn't show the counters too well and it looks extra shiney from the window but it is actually more on the matte side. It is not a straight edge and the seaming looks great. I actually bought it and had it installed by my brother in law's kitchen design company. I have heard mixed reviews on HD installers but that would be different in each area. Personally I change things up all the time and buying laminate gave me the option on new counters on a more regular basis and with 4 young kids we don't worry about them too much. Granite for me at this point was a big financial committment and also a design committment I was not ready to make just yet.

This may be more project than you want; but what about painting the built-ins white or cream?Then you can keep the fireplace white (maybe tone down the sheen), and accent the hearth and mantle with any color you want--even changing things out with the seasons! I think white or cream cabinetry, white or cream fireplace, and black firebox, would create an amazing neutral back drop for whatever else you want to add going forward :) Two beautiful cream paint colors are SW Alabaster, or SW Neutral ground. I know that Benjamin Moore has some very popular whites too.

The first thing that strikes me is that your curtain rod is too short which is why you have to push the curtains to the side which kills the vibe in this room. Get longer rods and linen-type curtains that are fairly similar to the wall color which will give the room warmth without looking busy. Please make sure that your area rug is as large as possible because that will make this room look fabulous. Little bitty rugs do not. I would choose an Oriental rug in warm colors because it will hide little accidents, at least until you can address them. I would definitely get a sofa, so great for cuddling with your husband and kids. I would place it in front of the window for good lighting for reading but also because it gives you the best sight lines into other areas of your home. Instead of a coffee table consider a large ottoman with a lid so that you have plenty of storage space. Please don't buy a brown or black leather couch. They look dated and are so difficult to decorate around. Try beige or caramel, with two chairs in contrasting colors, perhaps a nice blue or green, colors that will be in the carpet hopefully. You can also use the carpet colors to choose pillows for your soft furniture. Find some nice pictures to put on the walls, a large green plant, a bookcase or two (books are a must in a room) and side tables for lamps. By now your room will look gorgeous and be pretty well furnished and, most important of all, will be comfortable and fun to be in.

We’ve demoed our bathroom and plan on putting the washer dryer in the space shown in the picture. Its a 40” deep x 90” wide space. The washer/dryer we’re getting are 33” deep and 27” wide. Our initial plan was finding flipper closet doors. But hafele seems to be the only seller. And its like $1500 per hinge not including $1000 per custom door. Then do a floor to ceiling 30” closet on the left. Washer in the middle. Dryer on the right. So then we thought about getting a three stacked closet door that ran 90”. 30” doors each. But then we would be sacrificing the use of one of the 30” spaces at all times. The closet space on the left would constantly be blocked by the doors if we did laundry. But then we saw cabinet doors that had flipper hinges. And figured thats the best solution for us. We’d get a basic 40” deep x 90” wide countertop and mount it an 1” above the washer dryer. And just look for 30” cabinet doors and 3 sets of hinges. And maybe install upper wall cabinets for additional storage.