I'm so there with you amysrq. Imagine my surprise, after spending weeks on faucetdirect and other sites, cross-referencing with gardenweb, and I come to the exact same result as you, right down to the loop handle rationale (except my wife wants the side handle instead). Really excited to come across this thread, only to experience the same disappointment with your last post. Not so concerned about the hose, as I think all metal hoses are built that way (the metal seems more durable, but louder, than the nylon). I don't know how much stock to put in this, but one dealer I spoke with said that the pull out/down handles generally have to be plastic/rubber because: 1) the weight of a full-metal handle wouldn't retract well (on a pulldown), 2) if left to bang around inside the sink a full metal handle could cause more damage, and 3) heat transfer from a full metal handle on full hot would burn the user. Pricklypearcactus, you mentioned you had the Luna model. Based on the pricepoint, I'm assuming it's got the same plastic handle. Any issues with the finish? Was it chrome or SS? Rococogurl, with your Systema model, do you have the black handle? Is that like a rubberized surface, or actually black metal? No scuffing or anything like that? Basically, I'm trying to convince myself that, with the lifetime warranty on the finish (chrome at least), maybe the plastic handle isn't as bad as it's cracked up to be. Maybe I'm deluding myself..... Please post if you come across a suitable alternative. Unfortunately, the KWC's the only one I've found so far with this 'hammerhead' design that doesn't have a stick for a handle (on the side at least). Good luck!

Thanks kulagal, The granite is called Colonial Cream, but I've been told by another poster that that quarry is now closed so I don't know how available it is. I had seen bundles of Colonial Gold and Antique Gold with similar coloring. The tiles are all by Daltile. The 3x6 subways are in their Rittenhouse line, as are the 2x4 subways that are over the rangetop. I used 4x4 tiles with 2x2 cut-outs from their Fashion Accent line, and the 2x2 bubbly glass tiles are also FA. Truthfully if I had to do it over, I think I would have picked a lighter glass tile because when you surround the glass, it cuts off so much light and they appear darker than I had envisioned. But luckily the granite has several colors of brown and our island is darker than our cabinets so it looks fine--just not what I had anticipated. raehelen, That would have been hilarious. I wish I had thought of it. I was just biting my tongue to not say something sarcastic or insulting. Here is a link that might be useful: daltile

Well I'm a magpie too :) So I have both a mosaic (behind the range) and a subway tile, but I do have to compliment the fact that you went with a blue. I like it with the granite. A neutral would have been safer, and oh so boring :) By the way, we need to use the term DS...oh wait that's taken....(Dear Spouse dear son might get confusing) Or I like "SU" (spousal unit). My DH or SU as the case may be :) was told early in the design process that "I don't know" has a three day window to be turned into "I don't care" if he can't figure out what he wants :) Since I'm the designer...that's a challenge for him heh heh But he's one opinionated SU so normally he comes up with something :) He had definate influance on the backsplash. I was HORRIFIED with the cost, and he decided that it was the "only" one that worked LOL so my inner magpie won LOL

The Potterybarn model was chrome. I think it was bigger than the Ali. I love the Robern cabinets and if you are looking for medicine cabinets, definitely look at them. I love the Robern base aluminum cabinets because they are light weight over wood or MDF. Good luck on your hunt!