have other colors as well, but I am in love with Jacobean. And its smooth like butter and easy to work with. It runs about $19 per 500ml can. I order mine here, but there are many other retailers. http://bluemineralschalkpaint.com/product/fi... I don't have a local retailer near me, but you might have one close by to you that you can order it from!

have veneers or are made from particle board on the ends of the cabinets. Its very easy to sand through these veneers when you go to take off the original finish, then you'll end up with a mess. Also these ends don't always stain the same way that the solid wood doors might. You're hubby might be familiar already with the different ways wood absorbs stain, and I would recommend that you double and triple check to make sure that the pieces on the sides of your cabinets are wood that can be stripped/sanded prior to starting your project. I've seen many of these projects attempted where they get the doors finished and looking good, but the ends turn out a completely different color and are a splotchy mess because they're not solid wood.

Also, I would recommend using a chemical stripping solution over sanding. MUCH easier and on these finishes where they have just applied the lacquer right on top of the natural wood - its very easy to get off. (No sanding necessary!) I use this stuff every day and I could swear by it. Citristrip is a good brand if you need a name.

furniture is more masculine. The coffee table is one of the feminine pieces with the curves so if it were to be made into an ottoman, I would maintain the curves and cover it in a feminine pattern similiar to the Ikat pattern seen in the chair pillow and tuft it like the chair. This would maintain its feminine nature as well as make the tufted chair not stand alone as much. However, I like the coffee table as a table since you already have an ottoman. I think I would see how it looks to switch the placement of the two chairs to bring brightness to the corner. As for the mantel, it needs to have the green apples grouped if not removed. The mantel needs to have the colors from the pillows brought to it with some height. I hope that this helps.