I love Slate ,my wife doesn't, I have some pictures of Slate ,since I am not allowed to advertise here I cant provide you with one of my websites profile

How wide is the gap going to be? Maybe you could remove just the outer ring of tiles from around your entire kitchen and replace those with a contrasting or coordinating border of new tiles. That way you could carry the new tiles right up to the edge of the new oven and it wouldn't look like a patch job. There are all sorts of lovely listello and border tiles out there. I'm sure you could find something that would look great with your existing tile. Below is a link picture I found on where someone put in a border of different tiles in their kitchen. Not sure these are ceramic tiles but it'll give you the idea... Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks for all the wishes ... where is the thread on "I'm so TKO" (that I keep checking it even from the hospital)??? I was happy to hear from my workers, that everything is ready for install (well, almost, 1 more coat of wall paint). I have to admit it made some decisions easier. Paint color? I can't wait until I get home and look at more samples as I wanted, so let's just go with the same color I have in the adjanced living room. Undercabinet lighting? Well, all my notes are somewhere at home, but I remember I liked that particular one so let's just go with it. Oh, who cares anymore ... :)) I know my workers were happy to have me out of way and not spending days deciding with 1/16" precision on every little thing :)) BTW, I was lucky enough to have a regular diet .... hmmmm, carrot cake ....

Sorry, I missed a bunch of posts here. This "temporary" flooring will be used for the next 1.5 yr or so until I undertake the kitchen remodel. There will be NO salvaging the rug. It's disgusting and while I didnt intentionally spill the paint-- lukki is right that it is a happy accident! I also nix sheet vinyl. I hate it.. would rather do anything else but. My long term vision for the kitchen is only partially worked through so it's hard to say what I envision for the long term. IF I can bring in flooring that will last through a reno, then I'll be more likely to take the time to choose carefully. As I've said a few times, I love the look and features of cork. However, I think I could also be happy with some other options. I am definitely intrigued by the poly plywood suggestion-- and had already hoped to paint the subfloor (until I discovered that it will require a great deal of work). I could move forward with that as soon as the painters are through. I don't mind spending some money on the flooring-- it's worth it to be rid of the carpet. What I don't have much to spare is time... so all of the quick and easy options are high on the list. Bee.. that's funny! I said that very same thing to my bf (who thought Ollie's was a hoot.) Thank you all-- love the range of ideas and suggestions! I just need to spend some time mulling them over now.