You've made me feel better, which is good because I was told 2 coats of satin are already down. The last coat is done after the painters finish and carpet is in. I do wish I'd thought of semi as a first and maybe second coat and then finishing with satin. I should've checked with you all first! I'll see it Saturday morning when hubby said he could go with me too. We've already wasted a ton of gas driving out there so often (40 miles away). Thanks again, everyone!!

My kitchen ceilings get a scrub once a year. Before I started washing them, I used to repaint them about every other year. Maybe not necessary in a brand spanking new house, but mine is two centuries old, and has been heated with wood or coal for that duration. Clapboard and around window and door jambs leak coal dust and ash dust. You'd never notice it from day to day, but over a year you would. Spider webs, greasy film lain down by cooking and a gas grate in the hearth, and black soot from oil lamps during power failures. I just put a strong solution of soapy water (laundry power works amazingly well for this) in a paint pan, and get a big, fluffy paint roller and roll it along the ceiling....let it do its thing for about fifteen minutes (you can see the grime letting loose). Follow that with a sponge cloth I rinse out often in clear water and you gotcha the cleanest, brightest nicest smelling kitchen you want. I can't believe people don't address this in an old house. The kitchen brightens up like someone turned on a light or opened the curtains. I don't do this in every room, but by gummy my kitchen is the heart of this home and gets heavy use and I want it pleasant.

Rule No. 1. Don't seek painting advice at Home Depot unless the clerk knows painting. You can choose an eggshell or a satin finish and get mold/,mildew proof too if you use the Zinsser PermaWhite bathroom paint. It's tintable in pastels and it's available at HD. The good thing about it is, you don't have to ask them anything..go pick it from the shelf, have them tint it, pay for it and leave. Now, you're not confused and you have the right product. Painting doesn't need to be difficult. :) (I'm smiling) Michael Here is a link that might be useful: PermaWhite

If you are near an Amish cabinetry maker, you may find they can do the kitchen for the same cost I have Crystal Cabinet Works beaded inset cabinets and I'm very pleased. I purchased mine during a "free paint" and "free inset" promotion. They allow you to combine their Keyline (less customization, lower price) and full custom offerings that keeps their pricing in the mid to mid-high category. (They were far less than the Fieldstone). They have a good reputation here and among my preferred contractors. There is a good thread here on pricing comparison of white painted shaker cabinets.