I do allot of painted furniture and recently wanted to do exactly the same thing you are looking for, the Pottery Barn-Restoration- Hardware black painted furniture look. I bought alkyd paint in semi gloss (because that was the only finish it came in) and it looked awful. It showed every brush stroke. I had sanded the table, well first, used a tack cloth, etc., I did everything right but the finish looked horrible. I had in the past used Creative black low luster, latex paint, I think I bought it at Michaels craft store, and my pieces turned out beautiful, but not that durable. I have sanded down the table yet once again and I will be trying a low luster not a semi gloss. I may have to finish with a low luster polyurethane to make it durable. My other thought was to try spray painting the piece. Just practice before actually painting your price to make sure you like the finish, it's not so much the color but the finish.

Can you make an ornamental band or panel of paint that covers the area that isn't textured? Or frame around the new light with some molding and paint the inside of the framed area a solid color? As for the oak vanity: Gel stain from General finishes can make them into nice dark "pottery barn" looking things with a minimum of work. Here is a link that might be useful: Gel stain

Hello, I am in agreement with all the other posters. This kitchen is to die for!! I am so glad to see the pictures as I am in the process of planning our kitchen remodel. Can you give me an idea of the price point for Caesarstone? I happened to find a granite called Mont Blanc that looks a little similar, I think it was somewhere in the 70 dollar price range..so was wondering how you would compare. Also, what made you pick the Caesarstone? Thanks again. Michelle

nancy_east -- thanks for your nice words! How exciting about your kitchen -- this will be fun to watch develop! The widest walkway we have is 36 1/2" (countertop to countertop), with it going down to 34 1/2" where our apron front sink "jumps" out. From our cooktop to the widest point of the bowed island countertop is 35 3/4". The only times (or rather, areas) our aisles feel tight are when the dishwasher door is open and there's only 12" of clearance (between the open door and the island cabinetry). But so far, no barked shins! We're careful and aware. The other area is our refrigerator (which is 30" wide, all refrigerator so it's a wide door): when it's open the only one who can sidle by (and then it's just barely) is our two year-old. But neither of those conditions are permanent (meaning, the dishwasher is mostly closed and the refrigerator door is mostly closed as well). While 36" for an aisle isn't "ideal," for us it's working out fine. Our only alternative would've been to give up the island and that wasn't an option! We need the storage space. Your aisles will work out fine; if it there's an impediment in the 36" aisle (like a dishwasher), then you all will learn the same careful two-step we and many others have as well! Good luck with your kitchen-in-progress! (and whole house, too!)