oh Eloise it is JUST a wrapped box in brown paper. To hide the address to who it goes to, I placed the written note over it. But then when I posted it here, I thought that I do need to hide MY address also. Not the whole world needs to know where I live. So I did a little creativity in PSP lol Deb this is all part of the great fun I am having with SS :-) YES you are so right about Carmen, I just love her creativity even more hahahaha Lucy

Are you not doing the wood wrapped inside the window alcove now? How high are you taking the backsplash everywhere else? Up to the cabinets? Does your tile have a bullnose or a decent egde? I would run the backsplash straight across from under the cabinets until the edge of the window alcove, or to the wood trim if you put it in there. In the first paragraph, you said 'not' in the window knock out area, and the last sentence asked about the window knock out area, so I'm a little confused...But I'd leave the sides of the window knock out area in the wood or painted sheetrock...no tile. HTH

I've been looking and looking, and what I think may be ridiculous based on the amount of natural light your kitchen gets and in which direction its window is facing. (for example, ours is true north facing and gets no direct sun -- it casts a v. "cold," grey feeling on everything in there) However, with that big fat caveat out of the way: I now think painting the living and dining rooms the Herbal Green, the arch (all of it, both sides) the Hazelnut and the kitchen the Blue Spruce could be great. And this is why: the Herbal Green is soothing and subtle but still has a presence. I also think it will frame your gorgeous windows and views and totally set-off your fireplace. The Hazelnut I like because I just really like it! It is so warm, such a happy (but not in-your-face happy, if you know what I mean) color and its tone totally makes sense with the Herbal Green (neither are jarring, both appear to have similar dusky undercurrents), plus I think it'll subtly highlight your new arch. The Blue Spruce I like because, again, I think it "makes sense" with the Herbal Green and the Hazelnut (because of its tone) and it helps set the kitchen apart somewhat -- somewhat, because you don't want anything too crazy when all the spaces are open to one another. I don't think you'll actually have lots of room for the Blue Spruce, right? Because it's a darker, bolder color I think that can work to your benefit in the kitchen: it will highlight the blue-ish feeling in your basalt slate countertop and echo the earthy feeling of your cork and hardwood floors, all without overpowering / darkening the space. At least, in my mind's eye of your house that's what I'm seeing. My youngest is now up so off I go! Take care of yourself, -Brooke

desertsteph - like that corner cabinet idea, I will ask the KD. Can't block the basement door too much by extending the island as we have no bulk head door in the basement. So if we need to move furniture, it has to go through the kitchen door. But I'm thinking I'll have to get rid of the end cab. Behind that wall is the entry hall closet. Need that. Although I would love to inset a fridge somewhere, an eye sore for me looking at it sometimes. Although could be all those darn magnets and pictures on it! :) Also, how do you think I should make the kitchen and dining room flow better? Looking at the current pictures, it looks like two separate rooms. Can't continue the wood floor since DH tracks in dirt from outside all the time, not practical. I think dark cab colors would make the room dark. ??