From a personal experience, my wife moved the treadmill to a spare bedroom on the second floor of our last home. The home was only 6 years old. Anyway, the master bedroom was on the other side of the house. That thing was SO loud, it would wake me up when she worked out in the morning. The vibration, when she jogged, rattled the things on the walls. Since you live in a duplex, your neighbors may have concerns?

Thank you so much for all your input. I have remodeled and planned many projects before but this quartz decision is killing me--and I appreciate your help! Sometimes I wish I would have foregone the copper sink (too late, the sink is here and cabinets come on Friday!) just to save me the trouble of obsessing over the need to choose the countertop around it! I have uploaded the Hanstone Liscia and I love, love the warmth and simplicity of it. I have seen the copper sink on display (it's hammered and antiqued) and the Liscia (thank you mudhouse for suggesting I upload it) seems to go along with it (the dark veins in Liscia suggest the copper color of the sink) but at the same time, that sink isn't "popping" around it either. Hence, my idea to use different materials on the sink/range counters and then use my precious Liscia on the peninsulas. But dcward89--exactly! I am worried the look will be, like you say, "disjointed." A little voice in my head was saying that all along! To further clarify the peninsulas--the one by the pantry will be used as a table (it adjoins a large dining area that has some family space). The peninsula closest to the sink separates the kitchen from family room (which is two steps down). This Friday, the cabinets will be here--off white with ameretto creme glaze and I will have to finally, FINALLY, make a decision on the quartz! I so so thank all of you for any input you have given and will so appreciate any might offer. Thanks again!

Try Barker cabinets they can reasonably build anything you want. To save money have them build it in a size where a prefabbed vanity top will fit. By the way you can convert any door into a pull out as you have pictured. The hinges are removed and the door is mounted onto the pullout. Obvious forethought and ordering it with this in mind will result in a better end product. Barker can build anything you want. The pullouts add up as they are about $250 each. By the way the best thing for a bad spine is to actually bend and flex it daily. Its lifting heavy weight that would cause a problem. Drawers will function exactly as a pull out will as the pullout will have different height shelfs just like the drawers could be stacked requiring the same bending to get to the lowest one.

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.