VirgilCarter, I will find the book you referenced about house styles. I've just gotten another book recommended on another thread (Get Your House Right) that I think was suggested by Reno8. I find that the books help to clarify what belongs to what style. I think, stress think, that to date we have avoided my biggest fear of crafting a house that is a mish mash of different styles without cohesion. However, I do find that the small details of returns, eaves, when and what materials to use across a facade, etc. still leave quite a bit of room for error. I do like our architect and think he has pushed/helped us tremendously in getting the right floor plan and avoiding many exterior mistakes. However, oddly compared to many on the forums, I think he sometimes listens too much and doesn't push back especially around the exterior. Combine that with his bent for true Prairie Style which we aren't attempting, our love of many different house styles and the limitations imposed by setbacks, impervious surface limits, etc. and I worry about getting a house that we've pushed closer to the mix and match, paint by different architectural style houses that don't fit our vision or desire. One thing that does help dramatically is threads like this with direct commentary from knowledgeable folks.

Where do you do most of your prep work and what do you use your island for? I'm not going to suggest getting rid of it, that's for sure, but rather have you thinking about the size that you need. It looks like it has a squared off corner (?) which is probably deliberate for getting from the fridge and for getting into the corner pantry. It looks kind of lumpy, as if it was just plunked down and doesn't really belong. I agree about bringing it out to end of the peninsula and narrowing it but I would try to avoid cutting off that corner and by narrowing it you should be able to do so. As far as colour - gosh anything goes. Well - with those floors I would avoid reds or oranges. What's your favourite colour? You could do navy blue, moss green,... I can't tell but what's the background colour of your big clock. How about a deeper tone of that cause that's a really cool clock. (OT and speaking out of turn as you didn't ask - but that clock is kinda cool - I'd set it up higher and really show it off - give it its' own space.)

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Thanks for your thoughts and advice. I HATE grout lines, and subway tile is not my first choice. However, our house has 8" cathedral cut white oak wire brushed wood floors, brick, wood beams, and natural stone. I want to keep with that look and feel. I really like this wainscoting look and would like to incorporate it: https://www.houzz.com/photos/storage-solutions-bathroom-remodel-transitional-bathroom-atlanta-phvw-vp~151025090 Daltile Fabrique in Blanc Linen has the perfect neutral coloring and goes exceptionally well with our SW Dover White trim and doors, but I think it has a contemporary look. Here are some examples: https://www.houzz.com/photos/north-albany-master-suite-contemporary-bathroom-portland-phvw-vp~642077 and https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-transitional-bathroom-houston-phvw-vp~5724146. Perhaps with the right pairing of vanity and accessories, it will blend nice with the rest of the house. Hmmm. Here is a glimpse of our interior. Not sure what you call the look...farmhouse? Bohemian?