I think the white subway tile would be perfect, it would let your granite be the standout and itâÂÂs so popular now that you can find it in big box stores at great prices. I believe it has a timeless look to it and it will work well with your white appliances as well as the new stainless in the future. Pricewise it would win hands down over a stainless backsplash, at least the ones IâÂÂve priced. Concerning the colorful tile option, I don't like it when the backsplash and the granite compete. You can add color and interest through accessories.

badgergal I have a place in my heart for ash - the house my parents built and I grew up in had ash window/door trim, baseboards and interior doors, all natural. Your floor is beautiful and I like the mix with cherry - they complement each other well. ILR here's the scoop - I wanted 5", DH wanted max of 3" and we settled on 4" but he warned me they would show some cupping especially at certain times of the year and they do. I really hate it when he's right and that's why he wanted narrower boards. I've made peace with it. We've been in the house since March, one story over full unfinished but conditioned basement. We're in western NC so we've had heating days, AC days and nothing days - haven't seen a significant difference in the floor, perhaps this winter when we have a longer stretch needing heat. Our dog is a 22lb *youngin* who gets antsy when she can't be outside and loves to place chase from one end of the house to the other, scrabbling on the floors the whole way. Ok. So I'm the one who likes to play chase ;-) Trust me. she can be a nut job, don't let this fool you.

I came to brown/beige by process of elimination. It's very hard to find a blue that complements the runner (and our old cat ruined the 2 rugs we had made from that carpeting). Sage would go with our LR, but not the blue runner. No bright greens/reds/yellows/oranges. They just wouldn't work. I don't want stark black or white b/c it would look dirty so fast. So that leaves dark brown or beige, possibly with some blue in it. Although I've been meaning to call the carpet company and see if they still have that color. If so, I would get more mats and redo the landing, which also has a cat pee spot....

I love the kitchen, and I think it's a combination of things that really lend to it's appeal: 1. The Soapstone counters with the runnels at the sink, and the classic 4" back splash are very period correct for this home. And while there are "other" dark counters and "wanna be" soapstones, IMO there is no substitute for the real thing.. 2. The inset cabinetry with the latches and exposed hinges. Again period correct and in keeping with the authenticity of the homes era. 3. The correct white paint on both the cabinets and woodwork. Not too bright and stark, but not overly any other undertone. Something like S-W Pure White, or Dunn-Edwards Whisper. 4. The wood paneled walls, {which appear to be the same white as the cabinets) very apropos for this homes era, architecture, and surroundings. I'm very familiar with this neighborhood, as I grew up and have lived my whole life just a few miles up the coast. 5. The tasteful, but not over done accessories. The art, the fruit and plants on the counter, the runner, the blind etc....and even if it's staged, and the owners don't drink espresso, one must admit, that machine does look at home there! Even though this home is walking distance to the beach, the decorating is not contrived to look too Nantucket or Cape Cod. 6. The fact that they did not blow out the walls from the original galley kitchen to make it an "open concept" HGTV flipper! 7. Overall, it appears that the quality and workmanship are top notch, and this always shines through on the whole regardless of the style.