So the first, invevitable change to our plans since posting the supposed "final plans" on here...

In addition to switching the sink and dishwasher around (yes, I think you were all right about that), we have changed the floor. Finally realized just how expensive adding the underfloor heatmat would be (almost $2000 just in materials cost, plus electrician labor), plus the expense of levelling the floor and tiling. Decided to go with hardwood (engineered) instead (without the heat - it was to take the chill off the porcelain, not to actually heat the room. In fact, the room is too hot already usually, another factor in favor of scrapping it)

I was originally leery of wood in the kitchen, but with time and after reading many, many GW posts I have gotten over it. Despite being more expensive per sq. ft, overall it will overall stlll be much cheaper...and honestly, I think it will look and feel better. It just means more maintainence/cleaning effort, but in the end I think it is worth it.

We are probably going with Du Chateau, in a hard wax oil finish (similar to Tung Oil or Waterlox type finish, but proprietary to DuChateau in this case). Looking at "Rhine," which is a dark dyed (smoked/fumed? not clear) walnut.