aokat: it is some hand woven rug from a local store, I don't know if it is a "brand" or something, sorry. phyl: it is Rosemary Sprig from BM. The tiles are from Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. They are from the "stratton collection" and come in that size which is 3x3 and they are just fixed regularly with grout. I custom ordered the tiles from them, they have a choice of about 10 or 12 standard colors to pick from.

drmom2: I don't live in the Houston area. I am in NC. My best advice to you is to look at several different granite/marble yards. Our marble is calcatta gold and it varied so much from place to place but when my husband and I found this one, we knew it was the one. We both loved it right away. All the things you have read about marble in the kitchen are likely true. Our marble is polished and the only problem we have had is with etching. The way I understand it, you will have little risk of etching with honed marble but you may be more prone to stains. I believe the polish helps protect it to some degree. However, we did get a coffee stain but I made a poltice that lifted it right off, so I was very happy. Despite the etching, I love the marble and I would do it again! irishcreamgirl: I am afraid I do not recall the info on the chandelier over the table. We bought it many years ago at a local lighting store which is now closed. It may be by Seagull lighting but I am not sure. Sorry I am not more help! roseofblue: Thanks for all the compliments! My marble is polished. See above for comments on that. I do love it and thought originally that I would go with honed as that seemed to be the recommendation on this site. However, the marble was polished in the store and I loved it that way so just couldn't hone it. I knew I would be at greater risk of etching. And there is plenty of it but I still love it. You really have to look at the marble at an angle to see the etching and most people would never see it. The stools are leather and very comfortable. They are the Pullman stool by Crate & Barrel. The floor is oak hardwood and the stain is Jacobean. We previously had Provential and I felt that was too light. I am happy with this stain. We do have hardwoods throughout the house except for carpet in one room (and tile in various places). The floor is easy to care for. We have a dust mop to "sweep" it and then use Bona for cleaning. Or sometimes just warm water in areas. The house is about 45 years old. It was a classic brick ranch but during our recent renovation we added a second floor. We went from 3300 sq. ft. to 4800 sq. ft. You can see pics and info about my master and powder bathrooms on the bathrooms forum. My laundry room is posted on the laundry forum. Just search jlynn17 on the forum and you will find them. Good luck with your kitchen and let me know if you have any other questions!

Nini - on your first post, you said you'd do a separate post about honed and polished marble. Pros and cons to both. Have you done that and if not, would you do one or send me an email. We have chosen statuetto white marble for our island and I plan to go with honed (after testing polished). I'd like to hear your experiences. Thanks!

I painted my vinyl windows white. Worked great! Just make sure to prep well and prime.