None of my M27 have been real productive. I've done much better with full dwarf (B9/G11/G16), than mini-dwarf. I think M27 could be good, but only if you pay very close attention to it. Very few of my apples set very well this past year (on any rootstock). Only the Priscilla had a decent crop, about the same size as the year before, even though I had grafted over the upper portion. The apples from it were pretty good too- I'm not planning on grafting over the rest of it anymore. HGG would have had a good crop (see below). Sundance also had a moderate crop (1st time in year #3), with most others (including Goldrush and WIlliam's Pride, smaller in year #4 than in #3) having small crops. Some of it could be letting them bear too early. I thinned quite a bit, but more would probably have helped. While they are all well staked and mulched, I haven't watered them very much. I should probably give them a couple more good soakings during the dry parts of July. I got 5 in 2011 from Raintree: Ashmead's Kernel- never leafed out, but a single bud from the graft union did grow. After a year, I transplanted it back into a pot, which I later replanted after it yielded 2 apples and I verified that it wasn't just rootstock. Enterprise- looked like it had a good root system when I planted it, but it never leafed out. Akane- 3 apples in 2013 (3rd year) and probably a couple more last year. Hudson's Golden Gem- It has set big crops the last two years. In 2013, all but one of the dozen+ apples cracked and rotted. In 2014, I lost most of the ~20 apples to animals. The 3 I picked were very good. Red Boskoop- This is the biggest M27. Maybe 7.5' tall, it seems like a good size to me. It has been covered with blooms the last 2 years, but hasn't ripened a single apple. There were a few which made it into summer, but none made it all the way.

Thanks, folks. I am conflicted between plans #1 and #2, for the reasons you articulated, but I am strongly leaning toward #1, just because it makes the space that much more usable for us. Yes, in response to those who favored #2, I am *not* thrilled about making the kitchen visible from the front door--it is an older, stone home. To try to keep the feel of a division between K and DR, I wanted to make a framed/arched opening between the two--might that help? Any other suggestions to create a sense of delineation between K and DR? Honestly, we're not a formal family and we're not worried about resale (yes, I know, famous last words). We and our visitors would also use the vestibule door 95% of the time--our house is on a corner lot and the driveway is outside the vestibule door. Still....it would be nice to have a "feel" of a dining room. I also would prefer the island to be indented, that is, shifted north about a foot so that it is more in the kitchen side (there would still be a 4' aisle between it and the northern run of counter.) Granite-girl: Thanks for the advice on corner cabinet choices; I'll keep that in mind. Rhome410: The "appliance-garage" was actually stuck in there by our architect friend, not requested by me! I like the idea of putting an oven stack in the northeast corner. dkitchenreno: Those shelves are totally discretionary; I just want some sort of framed entrance to the kitchen, rather than opening the room up completely. I'd love a second sink, but do you think it's worth sacrificing the counter space in a relatively small kitchen? anne999: Good point about the fridge. davidro 1: I wish we could move or eliminate windows (is that what you meant?), but that room does need the light. I suppose we could put the sink in the island, but that doesn't really open up other opportunities for appliance placement. The appliance garage could be nixed. sailormann: Go ahead, be presumptuous! (Could you Photoshop me a garage while you're at it?) :-) Thanks, J

Hi funcolors or whom ever is reading, I think I am catching on...recommending pumice/lighter color will compliment the white couch and give a nice balance. Where... if I were to go with Moondance/darker color with more saturation, the contrast would be greater and the white couch would then become more of a focal point. To keep the mural the focal point, staying a lighter color would put the focal where it needs to be and balance the couch in the room more? So, if I were to put a refinished piece of furniture directly across from the mural wall that will have the couch against it. I am guessing I would want to do a color with a bit more saturation to anchor the room or balance it? I haven't painted it yet...still trying to figure out color the right way. Maybe the depth of Moondance or a bit darker? Or would I want to do a very light color to keep the room light and airy with not to much contrast against the paint on that side of the room. I am guessing darker? Not super dark, maybe a medium depth of color? Thinking maybe: Hmm, actually I am not sure. Semi-gloss for sure, using Pumice on the walls and it being a warm color, my carpet being cool, I am guessing a cool tone, one of the medium colors pulled from the mural? Or a nice rich medium brown? Suggestions? Color sure isn't easy when you want to get it right. It is a console/chest/buffet style piece. Flat screen will be wall mounted over it and decor on top of it. Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Pratt&Lambert are all local. Thanks for any suggestion once again. Happy Weekend Everyone, Lisa New Hampshire

" ... that is a great point regarding the trim. As of now, the door will either have no trim or very minimal, so I'm hoping it won't matter." Even if it doesn't matter function-wise, IMO it looks better to have at least some filler between a cabinet and the wall, especially if the doors are full-overlay. My thoughts on a wide drawer stack next to the range ... the things I want most right next to the range are the things I want to grab quickly while cooking ... whisks, can openers, pot holders, splatter screens, etc. I don't mind my pots and pans being located a bit farther from the range (but I still want them close by) as I am not likely to need to grab an extra pot quickly while standing at the range cooking, but I might need to grab a spatula or a whisk quickly. I think it's a matter of personal preference, though, as to what you want nearby while cooking, but something to think about. I also like to have my plastic wraps, tin foil, etc. located in the prep area where I'll be using them. Regarding the two dishwashers on either side of the sink ... I have a dishwasher that has a handle that protrudes. I despise standing in front of it to do anything, and luckily I don't have to because I have plenty of prep space to the other side. While I like the look of your single dishwasher arrangement, I would want the kitchen that worked best for me, and if that involved two dishwashers, I would work around that requirement