I love the subject of color and orange is one of my favorite colors. Especially the golden-orange shades. I too am disappointed when things are described as orange but come out peach, although I do like rust. I also love the 'Princess Irene' tulip too because it combines two of my favorite colors;orange and purple. I guess I have a range of colors that are my favorites and those change. In general I really like deep,rich colors or bright,saturated colors regardless of whether they are 'hot' or 'cool', and tend to dislike pastels and really dislike white,unless it has a glorious scent(jasmine,tuberose, 'Singapore' plumeria, gardenias, lily of the valley). Recently I have been into: Orange,as mentioned Purple/violet-an old favorite, I will probably always love it. Lime green-I cant get enough of it! Flowers or foliage. Blue-another old favorite,the same as purple. I cant figure out if it's because it's rare or that it is my favorite color in general. Although I'm usually disappointed when something is described as 'blue' and turns out to be lavender! Magenta/fuschia-this is another old favorite. I love it with orange, lime green, or purple(or more correct,I like them all together) and It looks great with blue or yellow too. I would throw hot or bright pink in here too. 'Black'-although as we all know is usually deep red,violet, or purple,or even brown. I just love how this contrasts with lighter, brighter colors, especially lime green or orange. Burgundy/crimson-the color of wine or cranberry sauce. I love it, very lucious. I also like cool, berry-like shades of red. I also like earthy colors like rust, burnt orange, amber, bronze, brown. Very rare but irises and mums do these best. I have a tulip that is blooming now that I think is called 'Cairo' that is an incredible comination of rust,burnt orange and brown with hints of gold. Very unusual and beautiful. I call these shades 'Autumn' tones along with earthy purples and burgundys. Some other colors that are nice are; scarlet reds (kind of common,but nice nevertheless),yellow(lemon or gold), coral.

If you've fallen in love with that whimpy burgundy red picture above, you will swoon over the real lacanche burgundy red. It's rich and deep like a wonderful cabernet red. Really it's aptly named. I was going to purchase a black molteni stove, so I purchased vulcan gold granite (which is a huge black, white and gold swirl of color...fabulous, but the drama demands that it's the first thought in any color choice). When we nixed the molteni and moved to the lacanche, I was already committed to several thousand in stone, so I couldn't very well drop that and pick another at that point. The burgundy was just a bit too purple red to work with the golds and it really didn't flow well with the granite as a whole. Too much competition really in one small room. The yellow was my second choice, though I wavered on it being first or second (it was the choice for a brave decorator). I would say that with the yellow you'd limit yourself more than the red, but what a wonderful limiting piece :oP It would have to be the star of a kitchen (as most of these are, but the yellow really sings!). I was just at the granite yard today. With any of these colors you're not limited. I was suprised at the options available in pretty much any color. I could see that yellow mixed with a wonderful deep brown granite counter, or one of the wonderful speckled whites (more speckles of black and other colors like a little burgundy spot, etc). It would be easy to have fun with that one. And the burgundy, well that one would mix with so many of the granites I drooled over today. The problem with changing stoves mid design is that if you've spent any money, you have to consider that first. I had the granite, and half of the backsplash tile as well as the venetian plaster (no small expense in itself) and my mosaic for behind the stove. I really would have to take a design swing at that point, a very expensive one, to go with one of the other colors. In your shoes...I'd go with that red :) I can't be inspired by the tangerine, and I have a personal bias about having blue in a kitchen (though they're lovely too). The terracotta was nice, but when paired in a room with the burgundy and the provance yellow...you just won't be able to look it's way. It's kind of like seeing a brunette, blonde and redhead in a room together. The blonde is "pretty" which isn't bad, and the brunette is a classic beauty, but the redhead, well she's the sexy one that instantly catches the eye...that's what those two colors say to me..sexy red head! Ok I'm married to a lovely man and not looking for a blonde, redhead or brunette...so don't get any wild impressions LOL (but being a redhead, I might be biased about that as well) heh heh All I ask is that you don't disapoint me and get white or black :oP You have an open field to go with the sexy piece...go for it!!!! You only live once!

Yep, have to take into consideration the size of the pans, 2 large (12"+) pans and they'll need to be offset, can't be side to side or front to back inline. One of the reasons I like the 22k's so much are that the flame pattern is larger in diameter and covers the bottom of a pan better, any pan. I have them adjusted so that they'll all simmer quite well, the reason the 8k gets used so little is that it's pattern is quite small and I don't use REALLY small pans that often. My DW likes it better as she has her 'egg' pan which is about 6" across and she tends to get things a bit hot on the other burners. She too actually reads directions and figures the dials are accurate, so has some issue w/the big burners unless she really intends to burn something (hard sear). I tend to look at the dials as a guide and 'read' the flame, I know how hot I want something so make the flame wherever I need it regardless of what the dial says. After a while you should know how far to turn the dial to get what you need without looking. I did have a learning curve, I've been using mine about 18 months (36" RNB) and have a better handle on it now. As far as the dials getting warm, I've never had that issue. Now the space in front of the griddle when it's on a higher setting gets freakin' hot! I'm surprised no one has ever mentioned that, you only need to put your hand there once and you'll remember not to do it again :)

Alison- how scrumptious are those cats?! I must admit that I had two of the three items mentally purchased as soon as I saw the theme of the swap which is why I was so disappointed when I looked like I was going to miss it because...well...I just love these things and I loved the idea of sharing them. The 3rd is giving me a little difficulty if only in the having to narrow it down to 1 more but it gives me an excuse to go shopping & see what sings. Cloud_swift- I thought of the fragrances because my husband is vilely opposed to anything scented. Potpourri, candles, sachets, even lotions. I've never had a problem with fragrances but after 14 years of having none in the house I find that I've become very sensitive to them. I can barely walk past a place like Yankee Candle. My MIL, on the other hand, adores scented things & is constantly giving them to us...whereupon they get promptly regifted or donated. So I guess I'm overly sensitive to sending my partner something that they might find repellent :-). In my excitement I missed the caveat of no food. Which eliminates the concern about food allergies. But it's still good to know for future swaps! Nina