Thanks for the posts and opinions and feedback! I appreciate every one! Oh, before I forget: caryscott: I first saw the drawer thing in a magazine and really liked it! Just done for fun and to add a little interest. Our KD actually really liked it, too, and said she has sold three more kitchens since ours done similarly. Now, back to the floor... here's something I forgot to mention. I have looked at hundreds (if not thousands) of floors in every store and showroom in my area, and I have dragged home dozens. And probably 95% of the floor samples that *look like* nice/neutral colors, when held next to the granite, go PINK, or GREEN, or PEACH, or ORANGE, or GRAY. It is crazy! My DH thought I was kidding until I dragged home a huge pile of samples on Friday and he saw it for himself. It's just the DANGDEST thing! ;o) So this particular floor (the Tarkett FF) is one of probably only FIVE that I have found in my relentless search that truly blends with the granite. I love color, but I think I like the idea of a medium value, neutral, but beautiful floor. I want the kitchen to feel open, light, inviting, warm and soft. Nothing stark or dramatic for this space. Does that make sense? Jennibg, I would certainly consider some cottage style stone look flooring (as long as the color[s] blended with my granite, of course!)... do you have any links? Thanks all! And please keep those opinions coming!

My son has installed Amtico vinyl by Mannington. He thinks that is a good product. I have a wood look laminate plank floor. It is very nice but I am careful with it. If it gets wet it can warp. Depends on were your putting it. It is easy to install. We are going to remodel in spring and am really considering Amtico vinyl plank. Durable,can handle water and grand kids, dog and cat. It is also a less expensive choice for us.

R S, yes it felt smooth, but not "slick" smooth. It does have texture, but nothing like hand-scraped. You can feel the texture of the wood through the finish. I had the Lauzon wire-brushed sample and a sample of the Hamptons series "natural" white oak here at the same time. The Hamptons sample is not wire-brushed and has a semi-gloss finish. I could not feel the texture of the wood under that finish. They definitely felt different underfoot and Hamptons flooring was smoother feeling. The wire-brushed is really beautiful. I would not order a whole house full of flooring based on the sample, though, because I'm not quite sure it's a true depiction of the actual flooring. I've always believed that flooring companies use their very best material for the sample boards, so I'd want to look at a full box before committing. If you do get a box, be sure to post what it's like!

Sorry I didn't mention it--new appliances are not installed yet. I chose stainless. I like the black slate look. What do you think of the gloss factor? The granite is pretty shiny. I really like the natural look the slate provides.