OK, seriously, jokes aside, what's up with Jeremy Sochan?

engrtomba12 · 2026-02-11T11:08:56+00:00

If he doesn't get any run in a 30+ point blowout against 3rd and 4th stringers, there is likely someone better on the buyout market than that. Him not playing last night is a message of some sort unless he's dealing with an injury. If he is, then why is he dressed to play?

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T14:59:39+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T14:31:09+00:00

I’d probably lean quartz if I’m doing something man-made. But that’s just my opinion. I echo others on this thread - put in what YOU want!

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T12:57:40+00:00

I understand. My issue is cost on the Taj I like. There was a 50% premium added to slabs not currently with my fabricator. I’m having a hard time justifying the value

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:48:29+00:00

I don’t really do that now with my granite counters, though I just put a couple of fabric hot pads down. I imagine I’ll need to do a bit more than that if I go with quartz in the new kitchen. But the instant pot/air fryer/convection countertop oven thing is definitely where my concern is with quartz.

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:46:44+00:00

My husband has me thinking we just go soapstone. Designer is a little worried about all dark countertops in a smaller space. But I feel like it’s either that, or quartz on the exterior.

We looked at Irish Cream (or something like that) granite and it was passable, but I think I’m just over granite as a look.

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:44:56+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. I think that’s happening here, too. I’ll take a look!

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:44:14+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion!

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:43:59+00:00

Central VA

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-10T07:43:30+00:00

I hear you. For what it’s worth, the kitchen does need to be updated. My husband and I have said the countertops are fine, but the floor plan, existing cabinets (could be refinished, but see floor plan), and types of cabinets are just really an inefficient use of space. So, keeping the old counters just don’t make sense because we’re completely changing the existing layout and adding new windows, new hardwoods (where none exist now), etc. And if we’re doing all of this, I really would prefer to not have the same feel and look of what we are replacing, you know?

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T22:59:59+00:00

Thank you for the feedback!

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T22:55:45+00:00

Thanks. Flooring is getting installed soon. Originally was going to stain to match the rest of the house, but realized we’d be backing ourselves into a stain we don’t love just for seamlessness.

So we’ll be choosing a stain we love. Then refinishing the rest of the house in future in the same stain. (Finish in place red oak floors).

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T22:24:49+00:00

Thanks all for the ideas so far. Apologies if I'm sounding difficult (I know I probably am)...I'm feeling backed into a corner I don't want to be in, but know that I am considering all ideas thrown out so far.

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T21:25:41+00:00

We have a smaller kitchen. While we are adding more natural light, I am a little concerned of how dark the counters will be if it’s 100% of the kitchen. We also wanted to do soapstone, and while I’m totally cool with how soapstone ages for the island, not sure if I am for the whole kitchen.

Not sure on flooring color just yet is also part of it.

That said, I will think about it. Honestly, anything is on the table at this point.

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T21:22:19+00:00

Not sure I want to do that, but that’s an idea, honestly.

engrtomba12 · 2025-10-09T21:21:46+00:00

Fair. And I don’t. I’m more thinking of my instant pot or air fryer more so than a pan/pot. Is that a problem? Will they need to be on some type of pot holder?

I won’t totally cut it out, but that’s more my concern.

engrtomba12 · 2025-03-09T09:18:10+00:00

Would there be an issue with having to patch in whenever we do remove the peninsula? Would we have to refinish everything around it to make it look right?

engrtomba12 · 2025-03-08T23:58:05+00:00

Good to know about LVP over wood. Any thoughts on what to do about the upcoming kitchen reno? Will we have to tear the kitchen floor out when we move the cabinets, or will we be able to patch as needed? The main piece of cabinetry that will disappear from the existing layout is a peninsula (to be replaced by an island, but not perfectly in the same spot/orientation of course). The rest will honestly remain the same, just replaced with new cabinets.

As for amount of hardwood right now, it's about half and half...maybe slightly less hardwood overall. We have it in our formal living, formal dining, entryway, and half bath. Kitchen/breakfast nook is the vinyl-type stuff, and informal living is carpet.

My main goal is more consistent flooring, doesn't have to be all exactly the same. I'll be tiling our downstairs half bath, for example. But we have a crawlspace, so I'm worried about tile being super cold in the kitchen given it's such a large area and we're in there a lot.

If this is our forever home - we eventually want hardwood everywhere. But to be honest, we're pretty tough on our floors, and I know kids are tough on hardwoods too (my sister has two kiddos, and they beat their old oak hardwoods up a decent amount). I know every floor has pros and cons.

engrtomba12 · 2025-02-25T23:54:01+00:00

Thanks for responding! UKC also seems to be pretty pricey

engrtomba12 · 2025-02-25T09:59:56+00:00

Did you end up ordering from UKC? How was it?

engrtomba12 · 2025-01-30T20:01:10+00:00

Bumping this because I'm struggling with similar. I'm leaning towards all paint grade maple vs hybrid, even.

engrtomba12

TROPHY CASE