There, now, you see, I don't know! I started a thread asking these types of questions, maybe it will help? I linked below. But if I can throw another thought out there--your little one won't be that little for very long (though at this age, I know, it seems like it will last forever!)--why not create a garden just for him or her--it'll give you some experience--and just be plain fun for both of you. The book Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots by Sharon Lovejoy has terrific garden plans--and they start from seed. She takes you through all the steps for creating fantastic gardens. It doesn't have to be permanent--think five years or so. Maybe your library has a copy? I wish I had done it. Here is a link that might be useful: Layered planting

My carpenter skills aren't all that great, so I looked around for some kind of do-it-yourself kit. The closest thing was a chain link dog kennel - ordered through the Internet. It comes in sections of 4 x 6 metal frames (4 pieces), and the chain link to wrap around, plus the hardware to clamp it all together. While it has a door, I would have preferred that the door had been a rectangle instead of oval, as it leaves openings at the corners (rats, mice, etc.). So I fashioned a piece of plywood to cover the door for added security, held with a bungee cord - works ok. I laid 2 sections of galvanized wire on the ground, placed the cage on top and secured all around the sides of the frame. Then wrapped the entire cage in galvanized 1/2 inch wired all around the outside, leaving top open. For the top, I found 3 pieces of corrugated paneling that was placed across the top. I just held these down with blocks - so that if necessary, they could be removed for easier access. After the frame work, I installed one of my cedar raised bed planter boxes, filled with nice compost (lucky hens), where they can scratch in the dirt, dust feathers, etc., and covered with straw (changing from time to time). For added night time protection and egg laying, I happened to have an unused rabbit cage, with a hinged top. It is about 3 x 3 x 2 ft. deep, filled with straw where they can get extra weather protection and for nesting. They immediately began using the top of the rabbit cage for their "porta-potty" area, making it easy to scrape clean every day, keeping the rest of the area clean of most droppings. I have a hose connection nearby - where most of the composting is done anyway, so filling waterers are easy. Also keep feed and tools handy nearby in a plastic garbage can that has wheels on it. All-in-all, this has proved to be a fairly decent set-up, though I would have liked the cage to be "person-high" - as it is only 4 ft., I felt I could make the sacrifice, as that gave the hens a bit more inside room, having the 6 ft. wide sections for their needs. So - for what it's worth, that is how I made mine, in the "burbs" but I, too, am limited to hens - don't want to disrupt the neighborhood peace and quiet. Cuz, if I do, they might notice my bee hive - yikes! Bejay

We have a similar L-shaped effect (in terms of cooling). We find that setting a basic floor fan at the crook of the L successfully moves cool air into that leg. PCRichard has a 7,000 BTU portable unit for $329 or something; I see it in every other ad (the ads in between advertise the 9,000 BTU one). I don't know how loud it is; maybe you can get them to let you try it and listen. J&R has an 8,000 BTU one for $279.00 and a 7,000 BTU Amana for $300 and Haier for $279. You only need 4,000 to 5,000 BTUs to cool a room that's 10x8 (according to one formula I found), so that's a bit of overkill, but maybe it will bleed over into the other part of the room and ease the load on the other machine, maybe. We're thinking of getting the portable unit so we can close the door to that leg of the L (it's the kids' room) and, since it's a tall casement window, replacing the inner windowscreen w/ Plexiglas and putting the host in it. That's what my neighbor did upstairs from us w/ her L-shaped room; I have to ask to see her install. Also: how old is your wall-mounted AC? Ours is pretty old, and it's not that effective. I keep trying to get DH to agree to replace it. Or, now that it's part of a kitchen w/ a more powerful stove, you may need a more powerful AC unit.

Could you post a to scale floor plan of both areas and make sure all measurements, windows doorways are all marked also plumbing and gas lines.Also a little info about what you want from us . Are you redoing the kitchen?