pharaoh I knew you couldn't resist the title of this thread :oP And I was hoping you'd chime in. I don't think I can light them from beneeth...I'd have to put some thought into that. I've already ordered the cabinets which were custom made to fit...Honestly I don't even know if I can get white onyx here, but I'm going to ask. As long as I have to change...I might as well have some fun with it. The sinks in that room are vessel, mounted a couple of inches into the countertops. I might be able to string a rope light around the base of the sink...you wouldn't want it right on the stone so I have to see what type of opening I have there. Either way, I don't know...I'm thinking as I type LOL the cabinets are in multiple pieces...three lowers in one vanity and gad three more pieces in the other...so I just don't know that I could light them ;( WHich I must admit would bring out the most in the onyx. But even not lit, the stuff is gorgeous. Scratching in that room isn't terribly likely. I wasn't worried about the marble, I just wondered if onyx would etch with say tooth paste? I did put in an onyx sink in the powder room and it will be lit from below, because it's so freaking gorgeous. I wanted to work onyx into the floor design but the freaking floor joists ruined that idea (who needs that many floor joists...sheesh!)

To the original question - does anyone like builder grade oak cabinets - my answer is no. But that's mainly because the particle board parts of the drawers and carcass usually come apart at some point, like the drawer front that came off in someone's hand. The thread seems to have veered off into a question of whether even solid oak cabinets are liked, and or dated. I love my oak cabinets even though they need to be refinished. They are good quality, custom built though, and I think that makes a difference. I also like painted cabinets, and might even go that route next time. This thread kind of reminds me of something that happened in 1978. We bought our first house that year, and so did some good friends. Both our kitchens had painted cabinets. Mine were brown with yellow doors, which I hated, along with the fact that they were older. I stripped and refinished them and they looked so much better. They were a slab style solid wood though I can't remember what kind now. My friend's cabinets (and house) were newer, white, raised panel with arched top. I thought they were gorgeous, but she thought they were terribly dated since wood was really in then, so she started stripping hers too. That's when she found out that the doors were made of particle board, and stripping ruined two of them. All that to say that painted vs wood comes and goes as we've discussed here before. If you like your cabinets and they are in good shape, keep the wood finished. If not, paint them. Whichever you choose, it will come back if it's not in now, and it will be out if it's not now. And that's probably the same with arched tops, beadboard panels, aprons between cabinets, and so on.

We had our Onyx shower installed last year. It's was the best decision we made to our bathroom remodel. Removing the tub to shower conversion gave us more room for a larger shower. We had a certified Onyx installer that did a really good job. It's expensive to get it done right with less worry in the future. Low maintenance was a must have. Tile over time just didn't work for us anymore. Onyx product is good substitute.

Just catching up on reading everyone's posts. So glad you are okay Christine, that was scary! Congrats on the new job as well. Jawiva, isn't it exciting when seeds what you plant sprout? My husband and I have been trying out grafting. We wanted to graft our favorite mango (Kent) onto less favorite trees. We tried different methods suggested to us, but what finally worked was when he wrapped the splice in electrical tape. Ha! It is now sprouting leaves. We are so excited! TG, I want that rotating shoe rack. I have just the perfect thing to make it too. I have a SS super Susan insert stored under my bed. Dh and I both have a hard time saying no to freebies. In his line of work, we constantly "inherit" stuff. I had planned to use it somewhere, but of course it's been under the bed for 3 years now. Now I know it's purpose! Maybe someday I will be as organized as you Beachum. It will feel so good to have my home back in order and not a construction zone. One of these days, or years, or decades....I know Christine can relate to the years/decade part. :-} So check out the latest that we just scored for free. Yes Frrrreeee! Our friends manage this gazillion dollar home and due to a bathroom pipe leak, it made some slight water damage to the outside finish of this tub. Oh no the horror! Yes, the insurance paid for them to buy a brand new one from South Africa for $10,000. The shipping alone was probably another 10 grand. Our friend called and asked if we wanted it. Um, yah. It's too big for my master bathroom project. Instead I'm going to use it as an outdoor soaking tub on the cabin's lanai. It looks like this now.... But picture this!!! Mgmum, I think that is a great idea to open up that wall for extra light. I can totally see a pool table or foosball table for the teenagers in that part of the L. Heatheron, that is so nice of you to do all that for your MIL. Wow, 97! It all looks lovely. Jml, that jetted tub will be amazing. I love the soapstone surround. Keep us posted. You too, swedepie. CP, That is awesome news about buying the half lot and expanding the home a little. Now the isle between the corner of the island and your wall with the built-in will be plenty. I would love you to come to Hawaii someday. And that goes for all of you!