Here's advice from an occasional tiler (me): Take all the time you need to make reference lines and lay down some tile (full pieces) to see how it looks. As long as the thinset isn't mixed, there's no need to be hasty. Make a line parallel to the "long" wall. Based on that line, lay down some tiles dry (without adhesive) to see how they "fit" the space" and approach the walls and door. You may decide to "move" that parallel line forward or back (i.e. make more lines), and also decide to start the tiles "right" or "left" from the first trial tile placement. Pay attention to how they approach the door - you usually want them "balanced" and approaching evenly parallel (not from an angle). In fact, you may decide to work from the doorway first (dry fit only), centering the tiles, and making reference lines from those. When it's time to tile, lay all the full tiles and scrape up excess adhesive from the perimeter areas immediately. A day later, take your time and first make all (or most) of the cuts for the perimeter pieces. When you're ready, install them, paying special attention to get each tile in plane with the rest of the floor that's already been laid. You may find it's easier to "backbutter each tile at this point, but don't forget to check the final height - it's easy to pry it up and add/remove adhesive if necessary. Finally, although not required, you might want to invest in a small toothed trowel for the perimeter areas. It looks like a margin trowel (rectangular hand trowel), but with the teeth that match the toothed trowel that you use. (I keep telling myself to get one, but keep going without...) Good luck.

lascatx I missed your post before, what a great name for a beagle! I wanted to name my boy Barkley originally (which would have been a fitting name given how much he howls) but both my ex and my dad said "After Charles Barkley?!?! so that ended that idea! "Tile setting is an intellectually hard job, and it can't be done by idiots." I completely agree with this. Again, that's what I thought I was paying for. Intellect. I saw a great t-shirt the other day that should be the uniform for all remodelers. It said "I can explain it to you but I cannot make you understand." kashmi that's so great yours came from rescues. In the future, I would like a rescue beagle. If you are in my part of the country (PA, NY, NJ) I'd love to know what rescue you used because your pups are soooo adorable! Mine hate the harness too, I tried to put Bailey in one once and all he wanted to do was remove it. That and the Gentle Leader which he REALLY hated! dianalo, my tile mess was nothing compared to what your GC did and stories like yours make me feel bad complaining about our otherwise problem-free build. I am very much crossing my fingers for you that you get the resolution you deserve in small claims court and get everything done to your satisfaction in your house. We seem to have a good solution now. The white marble bath is being redone. There are drawings being done for our approval before any other tile are laid down in the bath with the rug and in all other areas where there is patterned tile in the house. The shower has not yet been waterproofed (water-appropriate drywall was already used) and will be done properly under my GC's supervision. We are well on our way to a happy ending and a positive resolution.

I recommend also using pendant lights over your island. If you do not use pendant lights, I recommend 9 lights in rows of three. You will also want a light above your sink. Under-cabinet lights are nice to have as well.

Since your door appears to open towards the wall that the vacuum cleaner is on, I would leave the table where it currently is located. I would move window over table to wall where vacuum is. Consider finding some black and white pics and put in windows of window frames. Move umbrella tin to corner of back wall. Add two nice coat hooks on each side of window frame and shoe trays under hooks.Consider round mirror or picture over table with greenery/flowers on table. Add a tray for key/ mail etc. Need a larger sofa as suggested. Consider painting bench black and placing perpendicular to sofa or on opposite back wall.