maxiepines, I didn't follow your thread about cook tops so maybe someone already mentioned this. A downdraft set within a gas cook top pulls at the flames. This isn't an issue with your old electric cook top - no flame. I have a pop-up downdraft for my island's gas cook top. Even though it rises 7" above the cook top, it pulls the flame when turned on high and even on medium, it pulls on the back burners' flames more than I'd like. The downdraft blew out (would that be sucked out?) a burner when it was on low a few times. Today's gas cook tops generally come with automatic re-ignition, which is good, because the only way I know this has happened with my old cook top is when I smell gas. Anyhoo, a downdraft set at the same level as the burners will do this even more than my 7" pop-up does. Can you add a pop-up downdraft, preferably one of the newer models that rises more than 7" above the cook top instead? Stunning photos, as usual, boxerpups. You rock!

Thanks for all of the replies guys! Sorry for the confusion about the new cabinet pics. The cabinets right now are part of a basement apartment. We no longer need the income from that and need a big open space for kids down there without a big kitchen.....plus I need a new kitchen upstairs! So the cabinets will come upstairs instead. We are a young family with 4 kids and this was a great option for us to have a new kitchen/cabinets without a crazy big budget. As you can see that wall is being removed and since it is load-bearing and full of plumbing/ducts and electrical that has eaten up almost all of our tiny budget. The kitchen downstairs right now has blue countertop and accents and I loathe it. The dark brown/red DH has picked I don't consider to be neutral.....I am afraid with one long wall of it it will look like a big chocolate slab. I thought a more mid-toned or lighter brown/beige would be a better option, but I don't want everything to look washed out. I guess in my head the kitchen will need something to tie the floor and cabinets together.....or should I just treat them like 2 seperate entities? The colours DH likes are: Formica Walnut Quarstone and Wilsonart Brazilian Topaz. The colours I like better are: Arborite Mississippi Bedrock and my favourite Arborite Montana Sunrise. I don't have links to the colours but maybe someone knows them? Cheryl

I don't think it's necessary to match the cooktop to the granite. We have a black cooktop in a light granite, and I think it looks fine but you can be the judge by looking at the photos below. I prefer black for cooktops as black just makes me think of a range top, and the speckled black tops are easier to clean. Here's ours in our unfinished kitchen:

I think Stephanie brings up a good point. She LOVES grey. If you love gray (and I mean not because it's the in color right now but you've always been drawn to shades of gray) then I say go for it. Especially if you have no plans of moving in the next 10 years. However if you are choosing the gray because it's what is being seen all around (like in RH which started the trend), and you've become "accustomed" to it, sort of like in the 60's we became accustomed to nehru suits and avocado green appliances, then I'd say go instead with something more neutral and bring in the grays in the other areas. Also, it may be the photo, but Stephanie's floors have a hint of gray but look more like a natural floor than one that was stained with gray. Beautiful kitchen btw!