Ive spent the last 4 hours in quite an emotional state. My face is still hot, but my chest is less tight than before. By principle, I feel like I should bail on these people. What should I do? Background: My kitchen design place has been handling my countertops. I was sent to a stoneyard in NJ, about 5 hrs round trip from where I live in PA. I was told I would need 3 slabs. The stoneyard was only willing to show me 2 of the 16 slabs of the white macaubus they had, which by the way had circular brown coffee stain looking deposits on them (I posted pics previously). Disappointed with that experience, I told my KD, and he was going to send me to another stone supplier. At that point however, I was told that my job would only need 2 slabs. In the mean time, I discovered Corteccia quartzite/marble, and asked my KD the pricing. He said his fabricator didnt have a supplier with that stone. I found a fabricator in NJ willing to come out to where I live and put it in. This guy was going to do everything with an ogee edge in the Corteccia for the same price as I was quoted the WM by my KD. Corteccia is about 15+- sq ft more expensive than WM. If I went with the fabricator I found I would have to pay out of pocket. If I went with my KDs fabricator, it would be taken from my allowance. I didnt want to pay that much out of pocket, since we've already done so much outside...and I decide to let go of the Corteccia. I went to the other stone supplier my KD said to go to, chose my slabs of WM. I emailed my KD this morning, as, now that one of my islands is in, I wanted a little more overhang, and an ogee edge. I had also asked him that he initially said my job would take 3 slabs then he said it would take 2 slabs, but there was no adjustment in price...if he could explain that. My understanding was, I pay for the slabs, the templating/fabrication, and installation. By default, if I am using less slabs, I should be paying less. At this point, I was just trying to get my edge and extra overhang in the price of the extra slab. I also mentioned the other fabricator that was going to do the edging on the pricer stone for just as much. I offered to talk to his fabricator, as I didnt want him bargaining for me or put him in an awkward position. This is the reply I get: 'Regarding the kitchen tops, please print and sign the attached change order that will amend our contract by stating that ____ will not be selling you the countertops. At this point I need to cut my losses and tell you “good luck with the outfit in New Jersey.” I’ve already got too much time invested in something that clearly will not be profitable for our company.....We make very slim margins on selling stone tops to our customers; we generally do so only to make the process convenient for our customers. It takes time and resources to do this and my time and effort must have value [as well as everyone at (fabricator) and the distributors I’ve been contacting for you]; that is not the case here, so ___ will not be involved in providing you counter tops.' I really am livid. What should I do? Should I fork over the money and go elsewhere, or should I just have someone else to handle things? Going out of pocket is decent money, which I can do...but would rather not. At this point though, Im not sure if its just a matter of principle. Thoughts?

For aging in place, try to keep the primary work zones & appliances on the same wall and, as Darbuka mentioned, use the "Ice.Water.Stone.Fire" mantra to guide you: Ice -- Refrigerator Water -- sink, prep or cleanup Stone -- workspace Fire -- cooktop or range So, arrange the following on the same side: Refrigerator + 42" of counterspace + sink + DW + 24" counter & storage (if possible) As you age, you will find not just carrying, but also lifting heavy objects such as a pot full of water more difficult. So if you can arrange your Kitchen such that you can slide pots/pans along the counter rather than lifting to carry to the other side or even to a cart, you will be better off. I'm planning my retirement home and my Kitchen will do just that. While my refrigerator will not be along the same run, it will be across the end of the peninsula with at least 48" (hoping for 51" to 54") so I can take things out, place them on the peninsula, and move to the prep sink just to the left of the peninsula without having to lift things again. So, I'll be able to slide to the prep sink (with plenty of work area on both sides), then to the range/cooktop, and, finally, to the Cleanup Zone. The Cleanup Zone will be on the other side of the range/cooktop so that I can slide things over to that, if necessary. Basically, I will have a "U" with the refrigerator, extra wall oven, and "Gluten Zone" across from the base of the "U". I will not have an island b/c they become obstacles if someday one of us ends up needing a walker or wheelchair. The peninsula and legs of the "U" will help protect the primary work zones from traffic without being an obstacle.

Can you take a picture of the room from opposite side? Need to see some more views

Hi all, @Lindsey_CA, sorry you lost me which is very easy.... Lol. You meant TV on top of FP? If it is, we don't like it. The windows and doors are purchased and in a long waiting list... @Mark Bischak, we live in a cold weather so it will be nice having one and it will also reduce the resale price w/o one @Candace, we have the dimensions and both can be very close to the wall. That is the point, if we should just have it totally fushed ( no surround) or have maybe 12 to 18" out. Not sure if 18" would be too much, too little and will make it look weird. Thanks all