I'm pondering the same question: SxS vs FD. Despite the narrow issue, the following keeps pulling me towards the SxS. First: the FD reminds me of the chest freezer we used to have. Stuff just kind of finds it's way to the bottom, no matter how hard you try, and it gets lost. True, they have them with 2 drawers now, but the bottom one is still deep enough for this to occur. Second: my SIL bought my MIL a bottom freezer. Then she injured her back and couldn't get ANYTHING out of the freezer -- my husband has a back issue and I need him to get his own waffles for as long as possible. I've measured the widest items in our freezer and frig, and take a measuring tape with me when I look at appliances. So far the sxs seem to fit what I typically have. TYPICALLY. Brining the thanksgiving 14 lb bird could be an issue, though. I think we'll end up with a s by s with a little upright chest freezer in the garage. The thanksgiving bird may end up in the cooler with ice packs.

Carmela, are we related? I just went through this very thing - it took me *months* to choose cabinets!!! I think I had the same concerns as you too - wanted good quality at a manageable price. I wanted shaker style rather than raised panel, not too orangey (or pinky or yellowy). Boy, was it ever hard to find the right color! For a while I was trying to get my head around Medallion because my contractor had recommended a dealer with very good prices. Hazelnut is very orangey, IMO. I saw a sample Hazelnut kitchen at the dealer, and one of my contractor's references also had a Hazelnut kitchen. *Beautiful* but definitely orange. Considered Kraftmaid Toffee, too. It's a much lighter color, more warm yellowy with a definite pink cast. (At least the sample door my dealer brought over when she came to measure looked very pink in my kitchen.) It's pretty, though - the Lowe's near me had a sample kitchen in Toffee. *Very* different from Medallion Hazelnut. Kraftmaid Praline is a very nice finish. It seemed like a warm but neutral brown - darker than what I wanted, but really nice. My dealer said it's her most popular color. Haven't seen the other cabinet brands, so can't comment. But if you don't like orange and you don't like yellow, I'm not sure Hazelnut or Toffee will work for you. Words of advice - don't go by the pictures of the colors on the web sites - the colors often look very different!!! (Toffee on the Kraftmaid web site doesn't look *anything* like it does in person!!!) Also, the cabinet doors in the display cases look different if you take them out of the cases - something about the lighting in those cases. Finally, if you can possibly see samples in your own home, it makes a huge difference. (I still can't believe how Toffee looked so pink!) Most cabinet brands have wood samples that you can take home. (Kraftmaid doesn't - boo on them!)

Rachel, use the same roofing on your garage as the house. If you dont blend your new garage into what you have on the house, its not going to look like it belongs with your house on your property. Try to have siding, and roofing, and windows, all as close to the house as your can.

We Recently transformed our kitchen in our raised ranch home. Took out a small wall. Kitchen is now open to living room/great room. We have natural cherry shaker cabinets & doors now. I have always loved natural cherry wood. Granite counters. I do Love what we have so far!! I thought I wanted to go for gray paint throughout: living room, entry, & hallway. Blue/Gray with a accent red wall. But not sure I’m loving it now looking at some of my picks so far. My husband & I disagree on color likes for the most part. I don’t like pastels, especially pink tones. And won’t do white. Recommendations welcome. Please and thank you.