You all are making good points about the laminate, because she has no plans to update the kitchen and the layout is terrible. Idrive, the cabinets are old, not vintage. They were replaced in the early or mid 80s after a small kitchen fire and have been painted a couple of times since then. Palimpsest, I like the 50s diner grooviness of the metal edge, but it's a gunk magnet (just like the rotting rim of the drop-in sink). Off to check out the laminate manufacturer names you gave me - thanks much!

Thanks for the feedback! Anything with green isn't going into the house ;) I was looking at a beautiful mother of pearl quartzite slab and was ready say 'order it!', when the sales person commented on the lovely green tones in it. That comment sealed the deal on the taj mahal quartzite. The trio of samples are sitting in the morning sunshine today and I agree that they are too matchy. Guess I'll be taking them into the paint store for more samples....

for the handles, may I suggest something to pick up on the hues in the flooring? A little more copper toned. you have light cabs, light floors. I think throwing in a dark ORB w/o actual copper highlights would be too much of a contrast. IMO. cypress park Sandra, I like the porcelain one better than the other one. Does the backsplash have to be done immediately? If the tones in the porcelain tile you picked clash w/the ivory tones in the counter, it could be a problem. However, I did find some copper toned ones that should be avail. these are porcelain/SS, and treated so as not to stain or tarnish. I LOVE these for your kitchen. timeless and gorgeous. They are probably not super cheap, but it would be worth it for me. http://www.miusartmosaics.com/arabesque-lantern-beacon-copper-tile-in these would also work. the site is here: maybe they have them in stock.http://www.westsidetile.com/arabesque-tiles/ i like this one too. notice the copper faucet. beautiful w/the glass mosaic. if you got the cream countertop, this would look amazing w/your floors. this last one is a copper colored slate/quartzite.

We just moved in so we need to do a lot of decorating! Any ideas about how to design the entire space are oh so welcome. It's overwhelming!