And if you have suggestions for a different laminate pattern, we'd be open to that. We're 100% decided on laminate with the 4 inch backsplash though, that's a done deal. Thanks!

Sorry but IMO appliances are more important than new cabinets . The fact is 20 yr old appliances are probably on their last legs and when you go to replace them often there are no new ones that right size. As for paint for walls I think that and backspalsh are the last 2 things you choose in a kitcehn renovation . Is the pic of the green island the island you are getting. I am confused as to why custom cabinets and then cheap counters . IIMO you are going backwards it looks l,ike you have black granite now is that the case ? Why a green island at all ?

Making sure appliances are available that will fit into their intended positions within the new cabinets is important. Our 20+ year-old appliances on their last legs, along with cabinets of the same age that were worse for the wear, were what motivated our current kitchen renovation. In particular, the sizes of the new dishwasher and the wall oven installed in an island both differed from the older appliances, even with wall oven being the exact same model as the old one (really liked that old oven, hope the new one is as good!). Appliance manufacturers always seem to be twiddling with sizes -- I've found that replacing defunct dishwashers has particularly been a nightmare.

Is the island coming from the manufacturer factory-finished in a color and they asked you to choose a SW color? I hope it's not being painted on site. If your kitchen is open to another room it would be helpful to know what colors are used in that room when considering the color of the island. Oakmoss is too pea green for me. Popular SW greens are Pewter Green and Ripe Olive, Rosemary and Shade Grown.

It isn't necessary to choose your wall color until everything else is in. You can have some ideas, but once everything else is installed, do some sampling to see what is going to work. If you're not already familiar with Samplize.com, they sell roughly copier paper sized samples that are easier to choose from than small paint chips. Order a handful of them in colors you think might work. I would also be checking out your possible island colors that way.

Patricia Colwell Consulting - " I am confused as to why custom cabinets and then cheap counters "

Because I want what I want. :) I wanted a lot of symmetry in the cabinetry and we weren't being offered that from the semi-custom or stock cabinet suppliers. We were meeting with a lot of "we can't do that." So I went a route that would make that stop... and I got exactly what I wanted. I also wanted a specific wood that I wasn't finding. And a specific stain that I wasn't finding.

We priced stone and all that jazz. I have the budget for it, but I don't want to spend that much on a countertop for a house I'm going to live in until I die. It's not important to me. From a resale standpoint stone isn't necessary for my neighborhood, I don't need it to impress friends or business associates, and I don't desire to cut or put hot things on my tops... and after I eliminated those reasons for choosing something "better" there was no reason to choose them.

The countertops aren't what you see in the rendering, that was just what the software defaults to. We hadn't chosen anything at that point.

Much like the countertops, the appliances simply aren't high on my priority list. What we have is fine. It makes the home feel lived in. If we hate them afterward (we won't...) we'll change them then.

I appreciate that it's your job to guide people in the right direction... but the right decision for me rarely fits into the mold of what's popular or normal. I'm pretty used to going my own way! I just need opinions on paint colors. :)

kandrewspa - Is the island coming from the manufacturer factory-finished in a color and they asked you to choose a SW color?

Yes. Well, they didn't specify it had to be a SW color, they will match. That was just a color that was close to my preferences, but not quite right. It will be factory finished in the specific color I choose. I don't quite like the popular colors that are out there right now, so that's a bit of a struggle. I'll take a look at your suggestions. Thanks!

Nothing wrong with laminate counters, however, I would not get the attached 4 inch backsplash. That spoils the look of the countertops, and also it doesnt look good if you put up another backsplash some day. The new laminates are actually quite beautiful.

@Christy Thank you for your outstanding advice!

@Brooke Kleinschmit, do you have any pictures of your floors? I’m looking to purchase same ones! Have they held up ok?