Hi there onelady,

Thank you!
Our stools (I have four now--only two in the pics) are from Pier 1. They were an ugly brown which didn't go with the stain on my island, so I painted them black. Ballard Designs has some similar ones with caned seats which I love. In the kitchen, I definitely prefer wood over upholstered seating--I have two teen boys who are still plenty messy. I wince to think of all the filth I wipe off of these being on nice fabric!

My hex tiles are 3" and polished. I know you can find 2" Calcutta gold here in the US but I had the 3" ones cut to order in Shanghai and brought them back with me. I definitely like polished for backsplashes--easy to keep clean and it really has a nice subtle shine and sparkle. It would be very pretty in a bathroom!
Here is a photo of mrslimestone's lovely remodeled bath with carrera hex marble on the floor...total eye candy!!

Onelady,
Sorry to hijack but I'd like to add to your question to Shanghaimom :)

What color grout did you use on your hex backsplash? And your kitchen is out of this world beautiful!!!!!!

Thanks!

Thank you, Rookie!!!Hmmn I can't remember what color--it was one of the standard colors that they have in all the tile shops--it was "xxx gray"-a light gray with a beige-y cast, rather than blue cast.