Hey, barncatz: Every word of consolation and support helps. I'm trying not to rush the BS decision, but I know I'll feel much better about the countertop experience once I'm not staring at these sliver add-ons. One of my very early inspirations was Majra's kitchen. She, just like pipdog, used the mosaics for a lovely effect. And this is why I spent so much time last year looking at mosaics. But the mosaics seem a bit too busy (for me) up close. The rest of my kitchen is a work in progress. Lotsa 9-1/2' walls that will need to be painted again (probably a cool white -- the next challenge!), and a ton of natural light coming in. Baseboards, pantry door and trim are all semi-gloss white, and ceiling is white. Kitchen is open to the family room: taupe walls with a white fireplace/mantel -- white trim throughout the entire house. pippiep: Matching grout it is, then! One decision down. :) I've marked out the areas that will require BS tile. As you can see, it's not very expansive, and each one not very large. So, I need to find the correct scale/dimension tile that will look right in these spaces. I think using larger (3x6) tiles in a herringbone pattern will leave me with a bunch of chopped up squares in the bartop and cutout window areas. At least with the newest elongated hex pattern, most of the hexes will be retained.

We have a small problem with the hood vent. Our wall is not thick enough to hide the pipe so the contractor had to cut out a section of the drywall (see top right of first picture). Contractor will patchup that section but there will be an angle drywall from the ceiling to the right wall and we do not want to see any of the dry wall modifications that have been made. Right now there is 8 inches from top of the molding to the ceiling. Do you think we should install a 3-4 inch filler between cabinets and crown molding? Or will the filler look weird? Please provide your feedback and recommendations.

So we decided on the following SW colors- Dover White- trim Mindful Gray- main color Dovetail-Master bedroom Naval- dining room (that will have 64" judges panel in Dover White) I still have to decide on Master bath which I may just keep Mindful Gray, and my kids' rooms. We lived abroad for many years and have several antique Asian furniture pieces, art and paintings with vivid colors and patterns so I want to keep walls and counter tops neural. Thank you everyone!

Hello! This one I did recently with a stone top nearly identical to yours. Just an idea to help get your started. (Honestly about anything goes with the Laza!) Probably the green walls are not for you (she loves green!), but the glass mosaic is stunning. Arizona Tile carries it. Once you choose the backsplash, paint will become much easier. Alternatively, use the same stone for the backsplash! It's a super clean, elegant look (might be a little difficult to see in this photo, but we did the backslash in the same stone as the counter).