We did wood laminate floors and were advised to do hardwoods on the stairs because the wood laminates don't last as well on the smaller surface of a step. The wood laminate is a floating floor system and the small size of a step doesn't have much room to float/give....I don't work in the industry; this is just was what I was told when I put my kitchen floor in last summer. The guy who put in the wood laminate didn't really want to deal with building out the hardwood steps and the cost elsewhere made me reconsider....we are now doing carpet on those steps because the other room is carpet and really, really needs replaced.

Well, that was a surreal experience. 3.5 hrs (including lunch) and a credit card swipe, and the whole thing is going to arrive tomorrow. I feel like I just bought a kitchen at Wal-Mart. lol. I hope this works out and that we like the door style once it's installed. It isn't DH's ideal -- mine either -- but about 1 a.m. I sort of lost interest in all the nuances of flat panel door design and just went the easy way (vs custom). There are some things that we will have to test out for looks etc as we go, so I know I'll have to do some returning and exchanging -- so I'm still happy to have design input esp. on the sink area. We've got a couple of weeks yet before things get started, so there is time to change or add to the plan. Andy, twodogs and marti8a -- I got a bee in my bonnet about the sink move a few months ago and I never could get it back out, so I think that is set in stone. (rationally or not, ha.) I always prep to the right of the sink, always have the dreaded dish drainer on the counter to the left and seem to be incapable of changing direction -- I've tried -- so that's why I planned it with the longer stretch of countertop to the right. I am definitely listening to you regarding the window size and shelves vs a cabinet. I think the cabinet between the windows might just have to wait until I see how it is all looking, and I will consider shelves (hate dusting or I would have put them in to start with). Hollysprings -- you always have good ideas. I had also thought of slotting in a cart somewhere, but I was thinking perhaps at the end of the cleanup sink run. That 36" space on the other side does give more room for a cart plus maybe some drawers too. When I clean out the cabinets over the next couple of weeks and get rid of all the extra stuff, I'll inventory exactly what needs to go where (should have already done that) and decide how much drawer space I need. I would love to have wider windows (that actually look outdoors) but there is a dividing wall and a laundry closet in between them on the other side. I'll consult DH and our handyman about the old window. Maybe we will end up replacing and reframing it after all. Thanks all, again!

Not knowing the sq. footage of your space, it's hard to push you in that direction... my tile is just those three walls (can't see the the third) - as the sink is set into that space and stands alone. I think all said and done it was $400 for tile and labor - but the guy just came in to do this job. You'll be bidding out for more tile than just this.... so labor wise, it probably won't add much to your overall labor cost. I purchased at a local tile store - but was just in Lowes last night and they have some really pretty glass accents (like the one I used) -- if that's your thing. It just added a little extra interest. The wall where my towel holder is (to the left of the sink) was just full of water drip stains. You can't get them out. It was either re-paint every couple years or tile. As for your sink choice - I truly believe it comes down to the look you want to achieve. The all white cabinet, with white subway tiles and accent tiles would look pretty awesome. I can't imagine that the fiberboard is any less durable than the pine....

I like your table and chairs. 👌🏼 You can really go in so many directions with your room. As @cawaps mentioned, with a long enough chain, you can swag a chandelier. to center over the table. And a rug could be an easy way to add some color and/or texture, etc. - if you are open to bringing in a rug. Your floor is beautuful and you don’t necessarily need a rug with the style of your space. Personal choice. I think your current wall color is ok, but of course you can go many ways with wall color - as also suggested above. So many ways you can go. But just simply adding a light fixture, and maybe a plant in the corner, as mentioned, would be enough to really change the feel of the space. I also agree with HU-187528210 re: black being one idea that could be striking for a chandelier in your space. And art on the long wall could be nice. As one idea, I could see a black & white gallery. I also had the same ”inexplicable” urge to use pink in your room that @cawaps experienced. (Thanks for forging ahead with that, @cawaps. I thought I was just losing it, completely. 😂 It’s nice to see the pink; and your renderings look great!) If you do per chance like pink, but don’t want to bring it in with wall color or rug - you could consider bringing it in with art and/or a floral arrangement.