Love the limestone! I think the one on the right blends better with the limestone tile. You can cut the tile down to 4x4s for a more classic look.

Countertop choice for me is the one on the right. From my monitor, it goes much better with the backslash. And, if you like warm undertones, this looks much more warm than the one on the left. And, yes, you can cut the backslash tile down into smaller sizes if you want.

I love the Jerusalem gold with the quartz sample on the right. Both are warmer colors and will fit in with the rest of your choices. Sounds beautiful!

subway? so overdone! so boring!

Subway is not overdone or boring...it is classic & timeless. Plus so easy to keep clean. Limestone looks nice the size it is, do not try to cut it down, Go w/ the counter on the right. Be sure to keep the limestone sealed properly. Good luck w/ the new kitchen. Great choices.

square patterned copper colored tin (or faux tin) since you gravitate to earth tones

Definitely recommend the right quartz color. It goes much better with your backsplash tile than the one on the left. I also like the size of your tile for the backsplash. We did a larger subway tile for the mail field tile in one of our Showroom displays and get lots of compliments on it. I think it will turn out beautifully!

I did not know there was a product that would keep limestone from showing grease spots. Be sure to reapply as often as suggested.

Great countertop and backsplash colors. I like the lighter, more solid color (without the pink hue) but, in light of your stated intent for the cabinets, our tastes are very different.

Since this is a decision you will likely be living with for a while, you might want to lay your choices on the floor for comparison. If they don't actually match, it might be better to have them coordinate rather than almost match and always seem just a bit off.

Since you like the reddish Spanish/Mediterranean look, consider adding more of that look via your countertop and, better yet, your backsplash instead of darkening your cabinets. You have great looking cabinets so, in all candor, darkening them will not be an improvement.

Not at all fond of the wall color with darker cabinets. With lighter cabinets, the color is warm. With darker cabinets, the color will be more akin to drab -- you'd be substantially darkening the room, something which usually makes the room seem much smaller. Add that to enlarging the island and you'll feel a definite difference in your space.

Consider instead just darkening your dining set and the really nice cabinet under the tv to match each other, defining the dining and sitting area as separate and distinct from the kitchen but still a part of the family room.

If you're enlarging the island, does that mean (hopefully) that you'll be removing the sofa? I note what appears to be a tv in the indented spot above a really nice cabinet on the left wall. The sofa is turned the wrong way to watch it but it's clear it wouldn't fit the other way either. If you haven't already, you might consider replacing the sofa with a pair of swivel rocker recliners or, better yet, a couple of upscale executive chairs that swivel and recline. If you do that, then...

...Consider enlarging your island only on the left and right side of the sink, creating an "L" for a bar on the right side that would be behind the recliners or, in the alternative, adding cabinets on the left and right and creating a bar on the side of the island opposite where you'd stand at the sink. With comfortable barstools, you'd be adding more seating for those times when you want to watch tv with meals.

I'd change out the stove hood. It seems to be hanging a bit high, much as if the space had originally been designed for one of those stove hood/microwave combo units.

Ashley,

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Think you have the Mediterranean look down well. I just worry that you are going to end up with a bland kitchen. Don't know where to put the color though. You really like your backsplash tile and the countertop needs to be that same light tone (good choice with countertop on right) to coordinate with it and brighten up the dark counters. Plus you have a lot of wood tone in that room and adjoining room. Agree that you can see how it turns out and whether the orange walls can stay. Maybe some buttery yellow walls or backsplash or maybe a different countertop with more color, texture and movement. And you could paint the wood items in the adjoining room a yellow too. Maybe a muted green or blue or even your orange in the backsplash? I'd suggest a pop of blue or red but that won't work with your plans and style. Hope that helps.

i did a travertine backsplash6x6 squares i think? as well with mosiacs in rich earthtomes ranging from bronzes/greys/rusts/khackis/. looks really good, i think! do with small grout lines,too!

I am beginning a kitchen remodel on a small 1970 kitchen in our one-story ranch. My solution for a backsplash over a quartz countertop with oak cabinets was to purchase bisque 4x4 ceramic tile and scatter bright Mexican tiles of the same size among them. My husband and I have collected the tiles over the years and they warm and personalize the space. I will try to post a photo when the work is completed. The tiles are jewel colors with cactus, sunburst, medallion and other pictures. Just fun to look at and definitely not boring.

there are MANY different grades and finishes to travertine,(from rough to very smooth and marbled)depending what you go with, it most certainly CAN be considered "timeless" because it is a neutral . Depending on where you use it, how you use it and what type is used. As well as the size of the tiles, size of grout lines(or lack of grout lines) et al. go with what YOU like and can afford ashley. ;)

I am with Jesse, I have worked in the tile biz for over 20 years. In the 80s the price of stone went from 20-50 dollars a sq ft to 10-3 dollars. Everyone bought it, we could not keep it in stock. So I agree with Jesse that it may look a little dated. Adding some color is the way to go, a neutral

Ashley? There are tools/apps where you can literally see what the different looks/tiles/colors will look like. I would either find a program like that or go to lowes or a tile store near you that has that sort of program and play with all the different options and colors. Sometime when we get a visual, it is easier than trying to picture it in our minds?. you can play with contrast(dark backsplash light counter top, light backsplash, dark counter top, or light on light, dark on dark with light cabinets, or dark cabinets with light backsplash/counters et al) I am a huge color person myself, but tend to stick with the use of it on walls and accents. I have green granite countertops, with light backsplash that has a color border through it. then painted a wall in my kitchen mulberry. There are soooo many choices it can become overwhelming,cant it?! sometime being able to "see" it , helps so much!

http://www.lowes.com/cd_virtual+room+designer_189310537_

boomers775, what would you expect a flooring company to say? #notimpartial.

Here's a new design of mine that would rock it! Trellis. All custom made to order one of a kind art.

Trendy is the last step before Tacky