How many Engineers does it take to Change a Light Bulb?

We're not really sure of the answer yet, as the simple task of replacing the light bulb rapidly devolved into exposed ceiling wires due to the Age and Decay of the Original Charming Kitchen Ceiling Light. What just an hour ago was a reasonable-looking light fixture with a working bulb has degenerated into this:
Here's the larger picture to grasp the chaos this has inflicted upon my kitchen:

It seems that purchasing a light fixture is now required.

This is a Job for the Jefferson Light Fixture from Restoration Hardware. But should I get it in Chrome, to match the faucet and stainless appliances, or Oil-Rubbed Bronze to match the cabinet knobs?

More Bath Tile Ideas

Waterworks has a store over on 1st Avenue where they sell a lovely array of exorbitantly expensive tile. I didn't even ask what it would cost to use this subway tile in Cararra Marble for my bath

I rather liked this sample subway tile installation they had at the store; too bad it violates the #1 principle in Seattle interior design - never, ever use grey.

Now this tub surround, from a neighbor's open house, is one I really like. It's quite authentic in art deco colors, would be inexpensive to replicate, and just plain looks good. But I want tile wainscotting on all the walls, not just the tub surround, so I think this look would be excessive throughout that much of the bathroom. Just as well, Martin hates it.

A more productive tiling field trip

A few weeks ago, while mindlessly surfing the web, I happened to discover that a company called Tilehaus sells 1" unglazed hex tile. Ok, that's not earth-shattering news as oodles of places sell hex tile, but what I found most intriguing is that it appeared to be completely FLAT hex tile, not like that stuff sold by Dal Tile and others which has bevelled edges.

I ordered a sheet, which arrived yesterday, and it in fact it is completely flat! And while it isn't a 100% color match to my existing bath floor tile, it is Close Enough!

This means I won't have to pry up the toilet, chip out some existing hex tile from underneath, and hope it doesn't break or inflict more chaos on the floor!

I was seriously excited, that is, until today when I took a trip over to Seattle Tile Company (that great tile store about a mile from our house), where I discovered a half sheet of the Very Same Stuff on the sale rack for about $4. Sigh. Anyway, it turns out it's unglazed 1" hex tile from American Universal. And the great thing is, they ALSO have precut edge pieces so you don't have to risk fingers cutting 1" tiles with a wet saw.

Authentic Subway Tile

Of course, for an Authentic Subway Tile experience, it's necessary to visit an Authentic Subway. And what better subway to visit than the Paris Metropolitan? With the new direct SEA<-> CDG service from Air France, it took a mere 9.5 hours to pop over to France for a good Foie Gras de Canard. And with my Stockpile of Frequent Flier Miles and Hotel Points, we went for about the cost of Meals - not a small sum with the current state of the North American Peso.

From our "Field Trip" to the Courcelles station: