I think we can let this thread die of natural causes. I disagree that these Black Currants are detested in the U.S. I would say that most Americans know little about them or their healthy qualities -- and most Europeans do. There's good reason, though, because the Black Currant bush/tree was forbidden to be planted in the U.S. for quite awhile because of a problem with our Pine trees. However, the plants that are available now do not cause diseases to our trees. The Black Currant was used in European countries -- Scandinavia and Britain especially -- for generations because it provides very high Vitamin C for countries that cannot grow citrus fruit. So the fruit was used to make syrups and beverages there. The flavor of Black Currants is not so common in the U.S. Obviously, no one really has any new recipes -- so I'll continue to do what I've done before. Thanks everyone. Kathy in Washington

I used to use concrete blocks in my old greenhouse to display plants. Baskets are used alot. Almost anything that something could sit on, could be a display. I have a fellow vendor that transports things like you mentioned over 50 miles to the farmers market and uses them for her displays. I would try to use almost anything. I've seen the old caned chairs, without the caning, used to put a pot of flowers in the seat and sell it for $50 or more. Just put your thinking cap on. Also it may take awhile to 'use' all your treasures.

Thanks for the photos xand83! I agree that the 4" backsplash is a bit odd looking. Our color scheme is similar to yours. We will be using a grey ceramic (Happy Floors Bambu Nero 12x24) on the floor and 4x12 white subway tile as a tub surround. We are not planning to take the subway tile all the way around the room as you did. Our mosaic is the long rectangle type with light green and light blue glass and bright white stone accents. Whereas your vanity was built into a nook, ours would not be, and the vanity would sit right beside the toilet. Below is a link to our basic bathroom layout. I'm considering bringing the floor tile up to the top of the vanity and using the mosaic to go up and around the mirror, or maybe halfway up the mirror. Would it look weird to have all of this tile only on half of the wall (only behind the vanity and not behind the toilet) and not on the side wall? Here is a link that might be useful:

Off the top of my head, and without any images, your counter choice should be light or dark, not in between. The brown cesarstone wild rice, while pretty, offers little contrast to your brown cabinets, and getting complementary browns is tricky. Think pure white or blizzard on the light side, concrete or raven on the dark side. Slate flooring can be pretty. If you want your floor to be the focal point of the kitchen - and I don't recommend this - then go for slate with lots of color variation. Otherwise chose a grey/brown slate thats on the quieter side. I love Fireclay tile, and I love that you're thinking COLOR. Now which color... have you considered Slate Blue or Nautical? If you want to go deeper, maybe Santorini Blue. We can be a lot more helpful if you can: A. Post images of everything you've actually chosen B. Post an inspiration image, like the one below with cherry cabs and light tops. You have to figure out if you want your counters light or dark. You just have to chose a direction.