Gillilan Designs Inc. Right! It is like vilifying everything made in China and its made wrong, crooked, broken and they won't replace, etc - these builders behave the same way. They also use such poor labor they know honestly they are not capable of any if these things mentioned.
It takes good training to plan and think ahead let alone do something outside the box and do it correctly. My builder was so bad I have been told repeatedly to write a book. People would never believe the level of incompetence. So beware when doing these items - many, many contractors are unskilled monkeys and that is why you get leaks from hot water taps or skylights, soft close drawer hardware that malfunctions, etc. not because the concept is bad. Granted there are cheap versions of products but 90% or more of what I see is contractor error!!

lk_designs You know, I've just been re-reading this and I know I have a Wish List and a Reality List! The Reality List is tempered with the knowledge that for me personally money is an issue. Now if I had an unlimited bank account and unlimited space! The other interesting observation is that cultural differences colour our expectations and also what we accept as 'the norm; what our own specific-to-location building regulations allow; what kind of climate we live in (hot cold temperate etc) and what our own expectations are.

Echelon Custom Homes The granite on the perimeter of the kitchen is Giallo Napoleon. The flooring used is Anderson Virginia Vintage in Trace color.

Echelon Custom Homes The furnishing for this room were designed by The Interior Collection http://www.houzz.com/pro/jodimt/the-interior-collection. I am sure they will be able to provide the information you're looking for

Granite Grannies Looks like a Delicatus Granite. Could also be a Bianco Antico Granite or a Silver & Gold Granite.

Echelon Custom Homes It's Bianco Antico granite.

Echelon Custom Homes It's Hickory hardwood flooring.

Echelon Custom Homes It's Black Pearl granite.

Granite Grannies Looks like a St. Cecilia, New Venetian Gold, or Giallo Ornamental Granite. The rest of the granite counters are Tan Brown.

Echelon Custom Homes It's Giallo Veneziano granite.

Echelon Custom Homes It's Grizzle Gray SW7068 by Sherwin Williams