I have Can Can. It gets sun from 7am to 2pm. The color stays thru the whole summer. I've had it about 6 yrs now...could be 7, and after 2 yrs, I bought another. I love the leaves and color. I water once a week deeply. If it gets too much shade, you'll lose some of it's beautiful color. Just water deeply and make sure you put it in an area that drains well. Kat

Hi, The metal hardware may be helpful in dating it. Remove a screw, if there is no point, but just a blunt end, that's a handmade screw from before 1850. Looking at the metal clips that fasten the top to the apron, these indicate a very late date, as you can still buy them. Early pieces used wooden toggles to fasten tabletops. Look at the cam/lever used to hold the top together; again, a very modern piece of hardware, still being made. Another giveaway is the stencilled serial numbering of the separate parts- this system cam into use so that the base that had been fitted to the top could be reunited for final shipping, as they were finished and stored separately. No need for a numbering system in a small shop building them one at a time. I think that this was made any time in the last century. The highest likelihood is between 1920 and 1950. It is still a wonderful table. I suspect it used to have a label on it saying "solid genuine mahogany; all exposed parts guaranteed; mahogany association, inc." In regards to anyone reproducing empire style furniture, ever hear of "Magnolia Hall"? it was a catalog full of mahogany repro stuff, from Belter-inspired rococco couches, to a slew of Duncan Phyffe ripoffs. I sent away for a catalog in the mid-80's. Casey

Katie, your house is waaay cool. I live in a house about 10 years older than yours, and I'd like to share what I've learned: The dark wood molding, with its many imperfections, has grown on me in the year we've been here. The dings that drove me nuts a year ago are now character and patina, and I NEVER thought I'd see it that way. I have had great luck with Farrow and Ball colors. Dorset cream in living room, mouse's back (unbelievable color, you really have to see it with the old wood to appreciate it) in the family room, and light stone in the dining room. I also have farrow's cream in the hall and stairway, but i think it was a mistake; dark wood can take much darker colors than you think, and they all look several shades lighter up on the walls. There seem to be a lot of strong opinions about custodianship, which may or may not be off-putting to you (disclaimer: I've got a foot in the custodian camp too). But look at it this way: from a resale standpoint, as the years go by, a well-maintained older home with original details will pull ever and ever higher premiums from buyers, so you will reap the rewards of your "custodianship" in very tangible terms when the time comes. So, to me, self-interest and good custodianship actually align. Also, you will sometimes save money while you're living there if you have chosen period appropriate finishes, materials, colors, and decor: because they are timeless. I was over on the kitchens forum, and people were moaning about their "so-80's kitchen" and how to make it less dated. If you do things to the original decade of your house, they will never look dated: only timeless. You will never need to redecorate when styles change unless YOU want too. Now that's freedom! Finally, I found, and you may find too, that the styles appropriate to your house grow on you. When we bought our house, the first thing we did was remove the bronze statue from our newel post so we wouldn't clock ourselves when we moved in. We NEVER intended to put it back up, and almost gave it away to a neighbor. Well, it has grown on me, and I look forward to the day that I put the other "lady of the house" back on the newel post. (Dh would probably tell you are days that he wants to screw my b... on there--naw we usually get along lol!) So, enjoy!!!!

Thank you for all the comments, I still love hearing from everyone and their opinions. I still am changing my mind everyday about that sink, it’s very useful... as far as everyones comments of it not being big enough (how big are your sinks?!... haha) btw the middle sink isn’t for washing, it is food disposal :) I use the left sink for washing and the right sink for rinsing. I do have some good news I just discovered 10 minutes ago (seriously)...it looks like the upper cabinets are original! Which makes me so happy because they are my favorite! Woohoo,... the doors are newer, I’m guessing to match the newer bottom cabinets. How easy is is it to move the dishwasher over to make room for this sink/or future vintage sink? It bothers me that it’s off center. And since the bottoms aren’t original so I don't mind moving things around. Thank you again to everyone so far !