Thanks, Bill V and weedyacres! I will check out your recommendations, particularly the Spectralock almond color - I would definitely prefer the grout to blend in (but was worried about maintenance with the off-white.) Speaking of grout, I have another question for anyone still reading (Bill V?): the "slightly-lighter-than-slate-color" grout we used with our floor tiles has now dried to a "much-lighter-than-we-expected-with-an-odd-pinkish-tone" color that we can't stand. Even the tile installer admits it's a far cry from the sample we chose. How difficult is it to use a colorant on the grout? Is it possible to remove the offending grout and redo? They are 18x18 tiles with 3/8 joints in a smallish room about 60 sf total. I'm asking about the regrout option because we have two other rooms with the same floor tile that aren't grouted yet and I'd like the floors to all look the same. Not sure if the colorant would turn out different than the new grout we'd choose, and grouting them all in the wrong color and then staining them seems crazy.

Whites are hard. All whites have undertones, so one white can bring out the undertones in another white or off-white, making it look dingy, yellow, or - heaven forbid - pink. Light is another factor - light bouncing off trees outside can make white cabinetry take on a green tone, and the color on the paint on the walls will reflects as well. Additionally, some lightbulbs cast a blue light, some cast yellow. It's enough to make you crazy :) So, this is something you need to mock up to see if the two whites look good together. Make a sample board with the tile and grout, of a size that will fit under your cabinets, so you can place it and observe it throughout the day. Then, move it to a different spot and observe another day. I'd make your sample board at least 18" wide. If you're happy, then move forward with the project. I'd wait until your counters are in, if they aren't already - and if possible, paint too. If the whites aren't playing nicely, you can post a picture here for suggestions on how to make it work - new lightbulbs, repaint walls a certain color, etc. According to oldbat2be, you can make a sample board by using double sided tape to stick tile to board, then grout. You can also chip out the tiles and reuse them when you're done.

Virginia, re 'Dr Grill', I can't really recall the leaves or buds, but the blooms I do remember as being distinctly paler/ less vibrant overall than your illustration - a palest ivory or blush white background deepening into delicate washes of warm pinks and yellows like those illustrated. But I'm guessing your illustration may be taken from a European - perhaps French or English source? That might explain the deeper colouring. I may have only/ mainly seen them on warm/ hot days in Australia, in temperatures unknown in northern climes. I would think it could well be the same rose. Wandering the overflowing beds and aisles of teas and other old roses I was often drawn to this rose's particular subtle beauty, but on discovering who he was, was put off by the less than delicate/ romantic sounding name! In that, he instantly dropped a place from top to second level in my mental scale of 'must have'/ perfect roses... fool that I was... FWIW, I believe Adam in Western Australia had one, that may be the same as 'my' remembered Ross Roses 'Dr Grill', but I don't recall if it was one of the selection he brought with him from the old house.

I looked up your tile choice, and see that you have already grouted the floor... that's fine. I think if you painted the trim in the room the same color you choose for the wall color, it would look more sophisticated. No to gray. SW Alabaster is a great soft white, fresh a compliment your hardware choices and Calacatta gold countertop. Is the vanity Base staying dark? if so, keep everything else light. minimal or no window coverings unless you need privacy.