I live in So Cal also and stained trim is very unusual, at least from what I've seen, and my former guilty pleasure pre-toddler was going to many open houses! My first real exposure was also here on GW, and I'm so impressed with the stained trim in homes like allison's and kellyeng's that I dreamed of doing the same as part of my entire house remodel. When I mentioned stained trim and windows to my contractor, however, he looked at me a little strangely - even though we have a very rustic house that would do well with open beams and such. In the end, I opted for painted millwork, since we have very low ceilings and not enough light to get the effect I'm looking for with dark trim. I also wanted to go with more color on the walls, and I prefer neutral walls with stained trim. I completely understand the DH's exasperation and trying to excite him about "your" project, since we have that going on around here every time I come up with something else we need to do! Many of my projects only require my elbow grease though, so he doesn't give me too hard of a time about it :-) When it's something that only he has the skills for, I tell him that I'd gladly hire it out. That's usually enough to get him motivated, as he hates paying for anything that he's able to do himself, and that he can do better (albeit take much longer) than a contractor would.

We are just wrapping up our kitchen reno. Backsplash left to install and we are done. Well, I think so..Are we ever really done? The backsplash is ordered and hopefully will be installed next week. Pics will be posted then. Here's the background.....our house is a 1970's ranch which was built for us in the late 70's. Now I can say good grief...what does a couple in their 20's know about having a house built. Everything was builder's grade because that was what we could afford. Bare basics. Over the years, every room was remodeled, basement reno done (not basementy--all dry wall and carpeting, built ins etc) leaving the kitchen for last knowing it would be the most expensive. Going forward, we are empty nesters. We are both still working but soon to retire. We set our budget at $50,000 but did go over that by about $5-10,000 I think. I haven't counted the beans yet. Funding came from savings. We do not have a mortgage. There were things I would not compromise on...the GC was first and foremost. He was just the best..excellent work and super to work with. The cabinets were another area. I have solid maple cabinets with dovetail and soft touch drawers. Mostly drawers on the lowers. The cabinets with doors all have pullouts. The perimeters are white, the island is a stain with glaze. These priced out at around $13,000. Not top of the line but very nice and we are happy with them. Quartz and butcherblock countertops were around $4,500 Hardwood floor and installation for kitchen, dining, foyer, hallway and stairs to lower level-- $7,000 Electrician and plumber--I think around $9,000. There was relocating of water lines, extending and relocating heating/air ducts for addition, up the amps for the bigger range, some unexpecteds. Building materials around $8,000 Labor for GC around $9,000 Appliances around $5,000. All appliances were bought at Sears..DH is retired Sears employee with lifetime employee discount. I waited until there was the extra family and friends discount night + employee discount + discount for putting on sears credit card. They were also on sale when I bought them. I bought all upper end--Kenmore pro dual fuel range, large french door refrigerator, top dishwasher and Sharp microwave drawer. Incidentals I haven't even added up yet...lighting fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware, window treatments etc. All part of the big picture. Keep in mind that this was a complete gut down to the studs and we did have a small addition to the dining area--about 8x10. The only DIY we did was taking out the cupboards, taking up the vinyl flooring, removing moldings and painting. DH travels a lot so DIY in the construction etc was not an option. My advice would be to expect the unexpected because it will happen. These things can bust a budget big time. Don't settle for what you really don't want but keep reality in check. It's exciting to find that great light fixture or cabinet hardware on ebay or the tile from someone on craigslist. A lot of the fun is in the hunt. I came upon GW when we were well into our reno and wished I had found it sooner. There I things I would change of course. There are great people here with a wealth of information and oh so willing to offer great advice and share all the ups and downs of planning and executing amazing kitchens. Oh yes--I just remembered. We still have to put stone on the front of the house where the addition is. More $ that wasn't budgeted for. And so it goes....... Good luck as the journey begins.

I rearranged. How's this? TOP - I currently have the crystal bowl on my buffet in the foyer. It may or may not stay there. Depends on the size of the decorative plate I ordered that hasn't arrived. The decanters tops are off because they were too tall but you can't notice it honestly. I'm not completely attached to the crystal decanters. I just thought they were pretty when I bought them. DH think's it's stupid to have them because we don't really even drink. I could always put the crystal bowl back. And the platter in the middle (casserole thing is on top) that's laying down doesn't fit standing up. I was originally thinking about standing that up and then sticking the blue toile plate in front but the toile plate is also a little too big for the look I was aiming for. I didn't have anywhere to put the cobalt blue butter dish so it's currently between the glasses on the left. Not super attached to that but thought it was pretty and added some color. MIDDLE - The plates DO stand up. Not sure what I was doing the other day with the one side! They are however, wedged in there. A typical plate stand that I'm thinking of won't work because there's just not room. Any ideas? I'm about to slap duct tape to the back of them. BOTTOM- I put the rest of the plates that were originally in the middle, under the saucers and bowls. I tried putting the blue butter dish on the middle silver thing (that has the two blue items) but the base is too wide. BOTTOM BOTTOM :) - Got rid of the roses and stuck it back on the right (which was where it was before I got the idea to deck the top out) I think visually it looked better to have the big silver piece in the middle. I had the blue plate in the middle but the right side just seemed too heavy and I didn't have anything to balance it out right on the left. If I put two items on the left it started to look all jammy on the bottom. *Note -In this pic the plates that were in the middle weren't under the saucers/bowls yet. . . I like the top better nekkid. Think I will stick to doing maybe some seasonal stuff up there. Thanks guys! One more thing - the tassel I have is a curtain tie back. Where does everyone on here get the cute little tassels with the shorter/thin hangers? I searched "decorative tassels" on ebay and got much of what I have there.

Sey, the way you started out the thread on a quick read sounded like you were playing around. And yes, I have identified your tomato as Antan CDB. If you don't recognize the first pic I found and linked google for other pictures. This variety has some diversity, but as you are aware the heart shape gives it away. As others correctly observed this was a derivative of Costoluto Genovese. It was also originally a commercial hybrid. What I called a retro-heirloom LOL, because it is just a recent development that is being passed as "the way the heirlooms used to be". When in fact they have bred as much of the accordion out as they can and stuck a relatively blunt oxheart point on it because the French like for show, that and an oniony nipple ships better than a more pointy one. "Antan" incidently is a generic word for "heirloom", as usual, being misused to misrepresent "yesterday's varieties" in their marketing campaigns. That commercial hybrid was more regular shaped but fluted is in its background. You have been saving seeds. It can easily produce shapes from true oxhearts to CG's which includes your oniony shape you are stuck on. Costolutos have the genetics to make nice roundish lightly fluted fruits to a fruit that looks like Rapunzel's braided hair in a twisted wreath touching ends. You can study the variation if any that you get and make selections for a while and then have a stable variety. Hope the background helps you understand why you can't find your variety easily ... it's just not so common this side of the pond. And whoever was your original source you don't say which is possible key, but we don't know what sorts of seeds they had available or even if they produced and cultivated seeds from tomatoes they grew from a seed pack they got out of France, like these people (link) "Cœur de Bœuf"with the altered retro-CDB they got from France. Cheers PC