Floorplan and GC!!

But rule of thumb in choosing finishes is to choose the least customizable things first. So starting where you are, I'd look first for the countertop stone (variety limited by nature and local merchants), then flooring because it's a big expanse and there are fewer choices for it than backsplash.

But as you shop, you may find that the backsplash you fall in love with that goes with your cabinets and floor isn't great with the granite, so it might feel a little like a wheel going round and round, as you go back to find the perfect stone to go with the other finishes.

Layout first, then the cabinets. I just fell in love with the dark stained oak. Then I needed to find an exotic granite that went with dark stain (many exotics are dark, so this was a little more challenging). Then came the backsplash. Stainless is pretty neutral so don't worry about designing around them,.

We had the same dilemma--so much so that we were paralyzed for almost a year. One day we walked into a tile shop and the owner came over and said--pick your cabinet, pick your counter, then pick your floor and worry about the backsplash last. In our case this helped us tremendously. This has worked for us for the most part. We have had the most difficulty picking our floor tile and we happened on a backsplash that we loved, so we are flip flopping the order that we choose these two...we were prepared to let the backsplash wait indefinitely, but it looks like we will have that picked before the flooring! Then comes all the other choices! Good Luck...(I'm still waiting for the stress to turn to fun :)

Counter top first. I have shiny granite tile now and I can't stand the mucky marks left from the kids and I cook a lot, so I wanted something very low maintenance and durable. So, I picked a matte quartz countertop. Then I picked the tile flooring. Then I moved onto the cabinet style, which was the most confusing for me. There are endless finishes and wood types and styles! And then I came across the backsplash tile I fell in love with when I was perusing multiple kitchen magazines. My GC is also the KD, so they are pulling all the elements together with my supplied list of appliance selections and coming up with the layout.

After cabinets I did countertop then flooring, because it just seemed easier to coordinate the flooring to the granite than the other way round, and the last two things are backsplash and wall color, and I am waiting until the counters and appliances are installed before I decide on those two. The lighting design was chosen early on because the electrician is one of the first contractors to come after demo, although you don't need to choose the exact chandelier or pendant.

We started by choosing a cabinet wood that would go with the other wood trim we were using in the house. I also knew what main colors I wanted to use, and the overall feeling I was after.

I could never worry about backsplash last...It's too much of a focal point in the room, and will greatly affect the overall impression. I learned a few years ago with, thankfully, a relatively small bathroom remodel, that it's not always possible to easily find tile to go with the other things you've chosen. I thought I was set on a countertop choice then, but hadn't ordered, so it was easy to adjust to something completely different...So when it comes to counter and backsplash, especially, I wouldn't choose anything for sure, until you have the combination of materials and colors that will work to create your vision.

Flooring was probably last for me, because I just needed a good material in a color/pattern that supported the rest...It didn't have to be as 'perfect' a choice as the rest. I juggled the countertop, backsplash tiles, and wall and accent cabinet paint colors until they all worked together.

cabinets first and then I thought I'd pick counter. I had several ideas and some general color ideas, but I hadn't picked a stone and I needed to pick the floor (tile.)

I chose a light floor that went with all the granites I was looking at.

Granite came next.

Backsplash will be last. Even though I saw some ideas that I loved early on, I want to have the kitchen put together first and see how it feels. Then I'll pick the backsplash.

But there are some folks here who chose the BS early on, and designed around that. I think it depends on what inspires you.

It was a close tie between cabinet color/style and countertop. We kept going back and forth because we couldn't quite get one or the other to work until we saw the Floating Blue color. Then it was easy to get the color of the cabinet to work tho I was hoping for a different style at first.

If it isn't coming together, it means you need to look at something else. When you find it, it is amazing at how easy things start falling into place after that. The hardest part is to stick with your Mission statement and not get sidetracked from that.

Now, if it would just come together that fast! ;)

I knew I wanted soapstone no matter what, so that was first (although I only recently picked the type and my slabs). I bought my flooring 2 years ago- it is the same 1940s-era red oak that I have in the rest of my house. We always planned to open up the wall between the d/r and kit, so this was an easy one for me plus it only cost $270!!).

Cabinet style was dictated in the end by budget. We are getting IKEA cabs, so I can get some of the other things I want, and their range is fairly limited. I am custom painting them a putty color (warm grayish neutral) and adding custom moldings to make it look less like an IKEA kitchen, and more of the English look I love!

I also knew I would get a farm sink, mainly because I wanted a huge single bowl, but I went back and forth for awhile on ss vs. fireclay- got my Shaw last week!

For me though, the absoute toughest thing was appliances. What I really wanted was WAY out of my budget (an AGA), so it took me forever to decide. I ended up with the Cafe dual fuel and vent hood, and I am getting a Kitchenaid DW (have a recent Profile fridge). Rememember, that your layout can't be finaliszed until you decide on appliances. a 30" or 36" range is a nominal size, and can vary a bit. So, you can't finalize all your cabinet sizes, etc. until you know the appliances.

My biggest problem- I like too many things! Edit, edit, edit...

1. Floors (12" porcelain tiles: gray).
2. Cabinets (Ikea Abstrakt white).
3. Counters (Silestone Expo Grey Leather).

This is what we did...

1. Layout

2. Cabinets - Wood Species, Finish, Door Style

3. Appliances

4. Countertop

5. Flooring

6. Backsplash

we're not changing the layout, would love to, but not in the budget.

Appliances are alreay bought, GE Cafe series, all to match,

Cabinets are bamboo shaker style, but I would not consider them mission-y. That's not the look I am after.

I was thinking that I should try for the granite first, but I just worry, because I am a matchy matchy person that I will never find that "perfect" color for the backsplash...I do like the look of a subway tile backsplash, but can't decide on glass or a stone. I know that I want the floor to not be too light.
I like too many things too!!! Sometimes I wish there wasn't so many choices!!
Thanks again for all the great advise.
Rita

We are doing ours a little backwards b/c of budget constraint issues.

1. layout (we did minor tweaks to our layout - moved frig location, removed island cooktop and double oven, made island work space and got a freestanding range to put where the double oven was).
2. appliances (hubby wanted black)
3. granite to coordinate with existing cabinets (honey colored oak and appliances).
4. paint color for walls
5. deciding now cabinet paint color (white and possible muted grey/taupe for island). Kept existing cabinets - they were in good shape and too $$$ to change them.
6. backsplash.

I wouldn't worry about matching the backsplash to the granite. There are so many tile choices it's not going to be an issue. I would find a granite that works with your cabinets then take both samples to the flooring and tile place.

We took our measurements to HD and the KD designed cabinets for the space with our "want to haves" included.

So for us it went like this...

1. layout/floorplan
2. cabinets
3. granite
4. flooring (tile)
5. backsplash (yet to be determined)

I think the biggest part of the kitchen that gives it the direction/style is the cabinets. In a perfect world, after that big decision has been made, the others hopefully fall into place.

What rhome said. Went in circles. Considered granite, thought about what tile and how that would work with original concept. Explored flooring options - was pushed a little by contractor - but original choice was not going to work for me. Figured out how to make it work in my situation. Asked questions here. Considered answers, changed this, figured out how it would work with that. Circles. Now all decided, and I'm very excited about how it will be in the final look. KNOW YOUR CONCEPT. Don't be put off by others' opinions. My kitchen is so far from what my 2 contractor guys can imagine, but *I* know where we're taking this project!
Lisa

1. Layout - no change in footprint other than making the counters deeper and making an alcove for the fridge.
2. Floors - made the decision to keep what we had -- the ca. 1978 dark brown pavers.
3. Style - soft contemporary for our MCM home.
4. Cabinets - IKEA Nexus Yellow-Brown (purchased 10/09, along with hardware)
5. Backsplash - had to have it: Sendai Silk by Lunada Bay from Mosaic Tile Source. (10/09)
6. Countertop - Zodiaq Papyrus. This decision was made just yesterday. Yes, the cabinets are installed and I just now locked in on a countertop choice.

It worked for us to do the countertop last because (1) I knew I wanted a simple quartz and (2) the backsplash will be the focus. I don't think that would have worked if I wanted a granite with a lot of movement.