A Blank Slate AT LAST...

Finally, the floor base is prepped and ready for a custom slate design to be created & laid over this bare cement. A closeup:

  

A bit farther view...see all the gray as opposed to previous pix?

And a far shot of the kitchen...see that evil tile peeking out from under the fridge? I'll have to deal with that later, but avoided the situation & heavy lifting for now!