Google I have noticed,,, when I remote foreign computers and set Google as the browser start up page... they will instantly load google.com/foreign domain and it will usually be set on the native language. Which is changable on their main google search page. What I'm getting at is maybe you might look at your time zone and regional and language settings in control panel ... & are you by chance on a foreign proxy server ? !~~~ So anyways.. unless they really want google rather than screw around I just use the plain search.yahoo.com for fast load home pages on slow computers.

Anglophilia: I was most pleased to see your comment in support of Sophie. She is one of the best resources on this forum and can always be counted on for an honest, informed opinion. Speaking for myself - I do wish to hear negative comments about my kitchen / other projects - because I'm in it for the long term and would like to make my space the best possible. (I do go away and sulk for a bit, but eventually come back). Michey - I'd like to compliment you on the research you did on islands with wide stiles / legs. I love the look. One you posted is a favorite of mine - I'd love to understand how to replicate this. Edited to add - Thank you for the factory location, mocxr. It's just two hours away and would be a fun trip for DH and me.

I splurged and went with the brass. The wait won't be that big of a deal since everything else is so behind schedule anyway! Next round of questions: Should I do a small backsplash in butcher block? Our countertops will be exclusively butcher block and the backsplash white shiplap. I quite like the look of the wood back splashes in the DeVol and Plain English kitchens shown here. Yay or nay? If you like them, how tall and how thick should they be? Also in this one photo attached the backsplash is installed behind the counter rather than on top which is how I'd imagine doing it. Any idea which is preferable? I was going to do IKEA solid oak counters but have accepted that it really can't be a DIY job since I chose an undermount sink with curved corners and don't have the skill to confidently make that cut. We'll spend a bit more on having them and and finished, ready to install. I'm leaning toward Eastern Maple because it's hard and quite pale. That's a better choice than very old reclaimed fir I'd imagine, even if it has a cool backstory.

Thanks, everyone! You've given me a lot to consider. Here are the main things I'm going to be looking at possibly changing: -- I'm going to take one more look at seeing if I can find natural materials for our countertop and flooring. There's apparently a place an hour away that has some quartzite and light-colored granite countertops and also limestone floors, so we'll see if we can go next week. I do agree that natural = more timeless, but it has been so hard to find natural materials that I like and that will be easy enough to care for. If I *can't* find anything I like with one more trip next Friday, then I'm just going to go with the tile I found and one of the marble-look quartz countertops I've been considering. -- I'm going to consider possibly adding a softer edge to the Shaker cabinets. Our cabinetmaker has some modified Shaker options. -- I'm going to ask the cabinetmaker if he can add legs to the cabinets so they look more old-fashioned. -- I'm going to consider using a more cottage-y style tile for the backsplash. (Thank you to Petula for recommending Winchester Tiles!) I did also love the idea of checkerboard floors, but because we have an oddly-angled transition from the hardwood, I don't think a checkerboard floor (which generally looks best installed diagonally at 45 degrees) would look right with that transition. I also love the soapstone recommendation, but I think that would look best if we were going the checkerboard floor route