Kristi-- hi-- GOOD LUCK THROUGH THE PROCESS_ remember to breath during the ups and downs.... now that i'm in and living it here's my 2cents. I looove my cabinets Shiloh Soft White with brown glaze... Shiloh Cherry island-- The white cabinets have granite on top (Giallo Ornimental)... I LOOOOOVE the granite so much. Now for the island-- uggg. Honestly if i could do it again i would do the GO on the island-- yes the contrast is nice but the ceasarstone - espresso shows a lot of mess and streaks (we have a lot of sun light) but when i cook (i'm a messy cook) the GO hides everything-- the ceasarstone- dark color shows every crumb.... so think about practicality. As for what we used in our bathrooms-- we used silestone/granite and corian--- (the corian already shows scratches- so dont use that!) I loooove silestone- no maintance- looks great!! We used a few different silestone colors-- GOOD LUCK!

Here are a few more pics I took this morning with the shades down. If I put a rod above all the windows, would it look weird if I put woven blinds (which I'd keep pulled down) on the top windows? Or should I leave them bare? Any ideas on types of drapes...I don't know what color or pattern would look best. My couch and another chair in the room are burgundy leather (getting old so may be changed someday maybe grays/browns?) rug

Ok, so repainting the room is an option: that's your out! Or should I say "easy" solution? Repaint in a color more in keeping with the gorgeous rug (which is beautiful and valuable on many levels-honeymoon purchase being one of them!). Then your window treatments (panels-maybe) will be a much easier decision. I'm not loving the panel options mentioned above, which I think are nice, but a tad too informal for the direction you have taken with your room. Plus, they are very trendy, which again is not in keeping with your traditional style. You have heirloom quality pieces there! The rug and furniture should stay. Paint is cheap (compared to the investment in good quality furniture and the rug)! That's the way to make a significant impact without breaking the bank. Take a good look at the colors in the rug. On my monitor I see blue as the primary color, but monitors vary. Go to the paint store and bring some sample cards home, narrow it down and then go back and buy some paint samples and splotch away. In any case, have fun with this project!

WOw...@patricia colwell "consulting". That is not consulting; that is unnecessary judgment and bashing. I'm actually shocked that you're considered a "pro." @ Grey Owl. I love your nook; it's very sweet. You can totally add little shelving on the opposite side of the existing window to create your Cozy Book Nook. I'm so sorry you have not received more professional guidance here.