I had ordered a four sided metal arch from J&P, but it was very flimsy... we set it out in the front yard for a while and was never satisfied that it would support enough weight- so finally we just got rid of it. We have one arch and a moongate arch from Smith & Hawken, we are very pleased with their products. Other rust finish metal arches we got from our local nursery, along with their same finish and material for several trellises. Most any good nursery should hopefully be able to help find you something that would fit your space and needs. I have pics of the moongate and other S&H arch both on my Picture Trail: careytearose Here is a link that might be useful: look in the Landscaping Projects 2007 and Favorite ROSES we grow albums

I don't believe that the most avant-garde of pieces are art by their mere existence. It is the controversy and dialog surrounding them are what creates the artistic exercise. Unlike more traditional pieces that have a static connection between viewer and art, the avant-garde creates a fluid dialog between art, viewer, and public. So in reality, by us discussing Duchamp's work we are forwarding culture and the arts, thus creating a beautiful experience. Sometimes the questions of, "why" are what makes things beautiful, not because the item in question is beautiful, but because when we ask, we are reaching out to our fellow man for his perspective. With nothing else in common, two people can walk into any museum in the world, view any piece ever created, and have a rush of emotions and reactions that reveal the commonalities of our humanity. I had a very early childhood experience walking through a gallery, wondering why a man was pondering a large canvas painted white. I walked up to him and asked what he was looking at, but before he could reply, I was called away by someone who didnÂt take the time to realize that art was about to be created, that a blank canvas was about to be filled. Strange really, I still have a vivid memory of the spotlights dancing on that canvas, how the man was lit by the reflection. And to this day, I have always wondered what the man was about to say.

I went looking for images of those elements. Ribbed glass panels in cabinet doors is easy enough. Here's one in a bathroom vanity: Ribbed glass (or ''seeded'' glass) is also often found in period light fixtures: As for marquetry countertops, if you asked most kitchen cabinet makers for such, I imagine they would gape blankly at the gabbling woman. But there are plenty of companies doing stock and custom hardwood marquetry inlays using CNC laser cutters. Here's the thing - they are doing it in floors. Google ''hardwood floor inlay'' and see. Yes, many of the rosettes are infeasible for a 26'' counter, but look for the ''border'' designs - or create your own. Assemble a 26'' wide section of inlaid ''floor'' on a 3/4'' plywood substrate, encase it in Waterlox, and I do believe you'd have yourself a marquetry countertop. Another option - perhaps cheaper - is stenciling on hardwood, of which this is an example. And so is this What else? Beveled glass is readily available, as is chrome countertop edging, and any furniture or auto upholstery shop can cover a panel of 1/8'' plywood in soft butterscotch leather framed in silver studs (maybe not actual silver, but close enough). I don't know exactly what version of Art Deco you are headed for, or if you even like butterscotch, but the point is, you are not doing yet another white kitchen, you're doing something that isn't being done by the mainstream, so the ordinary kitchen sources are not making this stuff. Sure, there is cool Art Deco hardware around, but what passes for ''Art Deco'' kitchen cabinetry in the online catalogs is . . . disappointing. You are going to have to make it, or at least source it, yourself - and I think if you're comfortable outside the painted lines, you can. You'll find yourself hiring a floor guy to work on a countertop, hunting down the local hot rod upholstery shops, telling your cabinet maker to fit bathroom vanity faces to kitchen cabinet boxes - they'll still look at you like you're crazy, but you'll know you're not. Go for it, girl!

msjee- your "art" reminds me of something similar from my teen years. I had not planned on remarking on it, but I read a post just above and it made me think I should say something. I was angry with my parents and they took a picture of me as I glared at the camera. They put it in the family album and were/are (?) quite amused by it. I always thought it was cruel and mean spirited that they took that picture and it was always a reminder of how upset I was with them. Your son may find it funny, but he also may not and you may not realize that. The reason I put the "?" next to the word "are" is I have not spoken to them for over 5 years. The picture was obviously not the slightest the cause of the rift, but even thinking about it annoys me, 30 years later. They often found humor at my expense and if I expressed that it hurt my feelings, then I was being too sensitive. To this day, I have anxiety about singing publicly because they and my older brother would razz me about it. I remember being quite proud that I was a runner up for the lead in a school production in 6th grade, but when I said I did not get the part, they all said it was because it sounded like someone was getting hurt when I practiced in the bsmt. Very funny. I used to love to sing and wanted to become a singer, but after the 3 of them used it as a punchline, it was hard for me to ever sing in front of anyone again. What may seem funny to the adults may cut deep to a kid, even one who is older. Your son may act like it is funny but it could also get under his skin. Is it really something you want as a family story to pass down? Is that how you want to remember your son? If something were to happen to him, I think you may look at the wall differently and wonder if you should have continued the gag quite so long. Hopefully, your family is nothing like mine was and this is something humorous to all, but if there is a chance it bothers him, even a little, do you really want to do that?