There is lots of advice here and ardent fans of many brands in each of the appliances you are looking for. Take the time to read a few of the threads and learn some of the key real differences between models (and why most people, or strong believers, insist on one or the other), for example open vs. sealed burners on ranges, or dual evaporators on refrigerator/freezers. Remember that people generally don't start threads about how great their appliances are, so every brand here has several threads about problems. CR? Good for what it now seems to be -- middle-of-the-road, convenience-oriented. Something like a smoke detector or laundry detergent, where there is a reasonably well-agreed definition of "works" and "works better" sure. TV, major appliances, automobiles, not for me.

The kitchen is 12' x 19'6" and is open to the family room which is about 14'x 18'8". We have 2 recessed lights over the fireplace in the family room, as well as 3 various lamps and 2 windows. There is a bay window in the kitchen and patio doors, as well as a window over the sink, so during the day we get plenty (sometimes too much) light. At night it's a different story. It can be pretty dim sometimes. We only have 200 watts above the table right now, and the big old ugly flourescent light box (4) 40 watt tubes, in the center of the room, and a flush mount fixture over the sink (2) 40 watt bulbs. So over the table we would be gaining 160 watts with the new fixture, 20 watts with where the light box currently is (although I don't know how a flush mount with 180 watts compares to flourescent tubes that are 160 watts) and also gaining 20 watts over the sink. I don't think we are going to do under cabinet lighting, because our budget is really dwindling. Would UC lighting be very helpful? If so, I may reconsider. We just don't want to keep adding extras we won't recoup when we move in a couple of years. BTW, if anyone has an opinion on the brushed steel vs dark bronze (which looks almost black IRL), I'd love to hear it. (SS appliances with some black on them, ss sink, brushed nickel faucet, probably satin nickel cab hardware, and 2 interior doors with antique pewter levers). I could always look at some other fixtures. I've seen some that I didn't like quite as well, but could get 500 watts over the table and 300 watts in the center of the room. Would this be a better option? Sorry, I'm all over the place on this. I hate pressure to decide quickly!

This thread is leading to unexpected places. We've noticed the relationship between our childhood experiences and our life style or homelife now. And, Flgargoyle is so right to note that you have to balance the elements of a very organized exacting profession with a home style that gives you some breathing room. In my case, working as a librarian for years and years, and being called upon for very proper and perfect language use, I would revert at home to using AIN'T etc. In my home, especially after I began work as a boat captain, I needed to have something alive around me. I began to indulge my passion for container plants. Never have liked fake plants. Over the years, I killed a lot of plants by leaving them outside during the months I was away at work on the oil field boats. These days, I have some favorite container plants that I drag with me, just like the parrots and the dogs, when I travel from Alabama to Massachusetts. I love to use live plants inside the house as part of my decorating. Better something alive around me than another piece of furniture. Right now, I am up north and the plants I could not bring with me for the stay, they are in good hands with a "babysitter." Ever since the show HOARDERS came on TV, I've been questioning myself about clutter. At what point does it become too much. My efforts to keep the house safe to walk around in, find stored items easily, and enjoy the things we have.....that is important to me. I'm not a neat freak. Things don't have to be high dollar, because I enjoy things which are rather primitive or old and abused. I like to have space around things so they will stand out. I also like to have enough storage that I can cycle accessories in and out of the rooms, and they will each have a time to star.

Absolutely! Set the box aside and really explore the possibilities. One thing, a kitchen with a strongly contrasting band of bright "cream/whatever" slicing between large dark surfaces is going to be a very different one from a kitchen with a darker, richer harmonizing combination. Gorgeous as the pictures posted are, don't choose your tile before you choose your look. BTW, if you need more than natural light in a kitchen, don't expect to get much third-hand from whatever some tile will bounce back. Plan on needing to turn on your lights in any case.