Kitchen remodel help (AIC) InteriorDesign

Hello all,

Looking for some help with our proposed kitchen remodel. Here is the kitchen!

We are going to update the whole kitchen to include:

*Floor tile
*Granite counters
*Tile backsplash
*Sink
*Paint cabinets
*New island
*New stainless appliances (double ovens, cooktop, dishwasher, refrigerator)

However, there are a few sticking points where I would appreciate some advice:

1. Do not like the microwave over the cooktop. Current thought is to enlarge the island and build it in since we do not want it sitting on the counter.
2. Island: Bi-level or flat? We never keep stools behind it though when we entertain, we put nosh stuff up there.
3. Island: Since we never use stools, thinking about having the 24" deep base units on fridge side and 16" cabinet base where the current overhang is for more storage?
4. Vent hood: currently unsure if it is possible to externally vent a hood over the cooktop. Might be able to route duct up and on top of the upper cabinets to the outside wall and then cover with a frame and drywall it.
5. Half-wall: I would like to open it but wife likes it keeping the kitchen "in the kichen"?
6. Leaning heavily to wood-grain porcelain tile but are worried it may look tacky or just be a fad? Looking for color/size/shape tile help.
7. The wall with the large opening to the living room had textured wall-paper and we are thinking about replacing with another textured wallpaper to break up the expanse of wall? The old wallpaper has been removed and wall prepped and primed in the pictures.
8. Apron sink: Would like to have one but would then have to replace that base unit? Would a standard undermount be better?
9. Cabinet paint - Want something durable, thinking BM ADVANCE, ILVA 2k Poly, or INSL-X Cab Coat? Thoughts/experience with those?

Note: We can't afford to replace all the cabinets but may consider putting new doors on exisitng to match what will have to be new on the island doors.

Upgrade choices right now:

Blue Pearl 3cm granite
Silver travertine subway tile backsplash
BM Mascarpone for cabinets/trim
Marazzi American Estates wood grain (spice or natural)

Submitted April 25, 2016 at 04:30AM by sillymutt http://ift.tt/1YP9hY8 InteriorDesign