aki, lovely dining table -- the colour is perfect when Canadian winter sets in : ) . I agree with lascatx. If you wanted a project to bring your current table in line, at least colour-wise, with the other table, you could strip the top and stain it, and then paint the base black. Is that a possibility? brdl, wonderful project. That looks amazing, and the perfect use for so many of those vintage and antique sewing machine bases. As another Canadian, I'd love to be able to shop at World Market!

Travertine comes different varieties and colors. If you do find a variety that you like, make sure to get samples from the current "lot" or "lots" available. They can often vary a great deal, and your choice might look completely different from the display sample. And, as it's a natural material, even tiles from the same lot, can vary a great deal. FWIW, we used a lovely pink toned travertine in our hall bath. It came in 12x12 tiles, which our tile guy cut down to 6x12's. So if you find a travertine tile you like, but the dimensions don't work for you, you might be able to have it cut down.

I kind of get the impression you get paralyzed by self doubt/have trouble making a final decision. You said your mom picked out your kitchen cabs/counters? (I think), maybe she can help with some of the other stuff? Or find some pictures of ideal kitchens and use them as a template? You’ve got to make just one choice at a time, and your kitchen is working as it is. All the other stuff that is not attached to the structure of the house is just incidental, and you can add it with time as you need it, so you pick up the wrong fruitbowl, use it to store dog biscuits or crayons, pot a cactus into it or regift it to someone else. Have you gone to your local tile shop(s)? Do you have a contractor you are working with? I know people are always knocking tradespeople and sales help but if they’ve been in the business for a while, they have experience to offer you. And sometimes narrowing the options down makes things easier, by budget, installation cost whatever.

Thanks for all the thoughts. The electrician and I decided on LED cans around the perimeter and finish the light box with more cans or uplighting strip. (The ceiling can't be raised because of duct work). I don't need more storage or counter space so starting over doesn't appeal to me. I really have loved the kitchen so it works for me, but agree that the next person could start from scratch. For this old lady, I love the forgiving tile as the house sits on a lake and the brown granite that enhanced the oak-trimmed mountain rustic home when gray and black was all that was available. The cabinets were high end CRYSTAL cabinets with real wood, so I'm okay with keeping them - probably better quality than many newer. It's the laminate doors and drawers with oak trim and oak wooden handles that I'd like to replace (not repaint). I have a local cabinet maker coming to bid a simple, flat panel door and drawer in light wood or taupe/gray paint. Appliance garages are history! Maybe glass doors or wood shelving instead of the uppers above the garages? Never gave much thought about the bar sink, but agree the mirror and faucet gives it a vanity feel. The coffee station that is housed in the appliance garage, could be relocated there. And I'll be shopping for a paint color for a softer, modern look. Any other thoughts?