Yep, need to do it right and we are agonizing over the flooring primarily.

Had another kitchen remodeler come yesterday to discuss layout and design. He is pushing Candlelight cabinets, though also uses Yorktowne that has cabinet styles and finishes that appeal more to us. He will quote the same flooring and countertops and he also made some great suggestions that we had not considered. But he also made suggestions to save us money on a few things where my DH and I don't agree with.

We also did not like the flooring price the 1st place came back with, but the kitchen designer recommended another flooring place he also works with and they came in at $1500 less than the other flooring place for the exact same floor with a better anti fracture membrane and a better warranty. Both flooring places have great online reviews and we used the one who came in higher priced for carpets in our home.

Just waiting for this contractor to get us a quote, and would like to see what style he picks out for the cabinets compared to the one we picked in the other manufacturer.

Good luck and hopefully the quote will be good. It is such an agonizing time with all of the decisions.

Well Lara, I have some pictures and some tips which might be help you while kitchen renovation. Please read:

1. http://www.ingwallkoket.se/koksluckor/
2. http://www.ingwallkoket.se/renovera-hela-koket/

susanne, thanks for the links.

We signed the contract last week and our remodel is scheduled for the middle of April. Went with the original designer because his finish work if fantastic! Can't wait for the new kitchen. Already started to empty the cabinets and getting rid of stuff as well.

As to the design we eliminated the eat bar from the peninsula and are doing led recessed lights.

Will post photos when all done.

Great thread, bookmarking for when we hopefully can do a kitchen upgrade in the future. Sounds like you are set now on lighting, but the first thing we are going to do soon is put in light wells in the kitchen ceiling (it's not a part of the roof where skylights will work and it doesn't get that much direct all-day light otherwise). Let us know how your evening lighting situation works out.

Best of luck with the building process!

rabbit, it has been an interesting project and we have changed our minds on a few things after reviewing things on paper and in our minds. After we had the floor measured by another installer last Friday, we stopped by the store to discuss and look at backsplashes. That is where I saw examples of 12 x 12 and 18 x 18 inch floor tiles side by side in a 5' by 5' section on the floor. So now we are going 18-in tiles set on the diagonal. Also, decided to go a bit darker with the grout color rather than light.