Hi mxk3, I feel the same way about my house (butter yellow asbestos "siding" with maroon shutters and a concrete stoop for a "front porch"). I'm trying to convince my dh to at least build a small porch or portico, he says that once we landscape the front yard this year, nobody will be looking at the stoop. I'm not convinced :). I agree that white's not my favorite color for a house, at least not in our area. Maybe in a place like New England with a different style house entirely, it would be another story. But if you're sticking with white, I do like the combination of white and navy (say, shutters or trim). I don't know if that would be too stark a contrast for you or not. But it also sounds like painting the brick to match whatever color siding you end up choosing is a very doable option too...in which case, what color would you like your house to be :)? I think different styles of house kind of lend themselves to different colors, so please do post a pic if you can.

Goga--I, too, can relate...I moved 2 years after my dh passed away (2005). We had lived in the same house for 45 years, started with a large square surrounded by beams, which I quickly told him we needed to make it more aesthetic, so took beams away, made the large plot kidney shape and put bricks around it, then on to side yard where I planted lots of roses and lavender, dianthus' and many other perennials, grew a few climbing plants on fence and azalea bushes, hosta, etc. in back where it was shady, had a long narrow plot against deck in back with herbs and clematis which grew up a few of the posts for deck roof...my retirement gift from Pitt was a fairly large gift certificate for Wayside Gardens which I ended up with a white arbor to be used in our white picket fence also with a gate (grew blue morning glories and a climbing rose called Altissimo) plus more plants. Had several areas in front with flowers, a small child's wheelbarrow which I usually placed the wave petunias in (they spread out so nicely). When I sold that house the new owner said that was one of the "selling points" and she asked if I would come back and help her take care of it...well, it certainly has changed...I moved too far away to go back very often and she really wasn't interested in maintaining what was there, let alone do anything new. A friend told me it's kind of "gone to seed"...Now I've finally come up with some new ideas to add to old favorites here...as others have mentioned. ENJOY memories of your old garden and start ENJOYING the "new"...

Honest? I'd change the paint color. It's not right. Is it horrible OMG the neighbors are going to call and report you to the HOA? No. But it's not right. There is so much potential for the house to look stunning -- instead of just okay -- it almost makes me tear up. I'd be looking more closely @ the following: - There's too little contrast. I think it could handle more color and/or more drama on the B&B. Only question is could you. As for which paint colors specifically, I dunno. Have to think about it. - The arrangement of windows and front door has me drooling. OMG. Something fabulous and bold for the front door color. A dark purple or something like Red Miso from Martha Stewart at SW. - Maybe it makes more sense in person, but I wonder why the garage peak boards were run horizontally only with out the apex detail like on the house. The different widths of siding and boards doesn't flow together well -- a different paint color, however, could change that. The reason I question it is because the windows on the house are so well-done and so balanced and that side of the house is telling a lovely story of symmetry then your eye meanders over to the garage and it's a little like WTH. The garage peak dimensions look identical if not pretty darn close to the house peaks. Mirroring the vertical/horizontal boards on the garage seems like it could be a good idea --- from my seat in the virtual peanut gallery. - I'm concerned that you said that you didn't like the color of white that's up there with the siding. White windows doesn't mean you're obligated to match the trim to that window white -- unless you want to. If you wanted warmer, creamier trim you could still do that and leave the windows white. - Don't feel rushed. If someone has to wait a day or three for you to decide about the repaint, it's not going to kill them. If you need more time, tell them you need more time. (I definitely wouldn't ask, I'd tell, but I'm pushy)

Thank you all — more food for thought. sherri1058, Building for the CATS, cpartist — Honestly, I’ve not bothered to look at induction, it has never interested me. I may give it a test-cook and see how I like it. I love all of your enthusiasm for your cooktops. Building for the CATS — Your screen name makes me giggle. :-) It’s heartening to see you didn’t give up on the idea of a warming drawer, but concluded that the location was the problem - not the drawer itself. On the Miele, I know it’s just a refrigerator, but . . . SO elegant. cpartist — I think I’ve been in the fun years all my life — every decade gets better. :-) I will definitely post my kitchen plan for input. linus2003 — Thank you. I will compare those models. My mother just ordered one of the proline models (I don’t yet know which) to replace her 20 year old Miele. I think the price of one of those is about equal to the price of two of the 6165s, so it it may come down to space for me. plllog — I laughed out loud, literally, at your cartoon character comment. I am going to walk into the showroom and pretend I’m baking some of my everyday items and see which I prefer. I’ll take my dishes as well. :-) Great advice. Thank you! Chanop — Thank you so much of taking the time to post all those pictures and the detailed steps. I can certainly see why some people may see that as complicated for combi cooking. Oddly, however, it actually looks like fun to me. I know, I’m an odd duck. I can see myself setting up user programs for baguettes, boules, roasted [insert veggie here], etc. I gather custom programs are also available on the Gaggenau, however. This weekend I am going to an appliance store that has both the Gaggenau and the Miele. I will put both through their paces and decide from there. friedajune — All good points. Clearly, I need to do more research on hoods. Costco — good idea! GardenWeb forums, here I come! To misquote Blanche DuBois, I am deeply thankful for the kindness of strangers. Julie aka Lefty Lou