Someone posted a tip about putting plastic wrap between the bowl and the top of the processor so that the top doesn't get dirty. This works for most of my applications (at least for when I just purée, and I'm very grateful for it. I have neither Cuisinart nor Kitchenaid because when I bought mine I was on a very strict budget. I'd like to replace the cheaper one I bought, but I don't use it enough to justify it, especially since I now have less time for cooking anyway. I've gone back to using a mandolin for a lot of things I might use a food processor for, and my FP works fine for puréeing. I use my KA mixer for doughs. Lars

Some notes on the install I used M. Texeira in Hackensack, NJ .. they gave me a good price, a small sale discount (10% vs. the 15% I would have liked) and covered some additional sqft that appeared after templating at no charge ... all in all - very nice and professional on the sale side Templating was done in Hackensak at the fab workshop (vs. the main office) ... we went and choose what sections to use for which pieces based on how the clear template revealaed the features in the stone we liked ... our primary focus was the slab used in the peninsula and we tried to get the highest concentration of green "sworls" that we could in that piece after fabrication, an unfortunate installer accident resulted in the large slab used for the peninsula cracking along the two of the veins ... rather than being one piece - it actually is three ... it remains to be seen whether the patch job that they used will be acceptable, but it is not easily apparent to the uninformed eye or finger ... the installer ("Jose") from M. Texeira owned up to it right away and offered to replace the slab at no charge but the replacement would take a week to fabricate ... Tex sent Leo up from the fab shop and he assessed the damage and monitored the repair and install all afternoon ... we left it at "I'll see if this patch/glue job works and reserve the right to have you come back and replace the one you broke at a future date" ... after the accident, I feel that M Tex did a good job of owning and fixing the problem ... Hopefully I made the right choice Some small issues - the undermount sink is slightly offcenter and not siliconed in ... the small slab to the left of the range is light enough to move easily and not affixed to the counter ... there is a gash in the new paint to the side of the sink corner that needs repair All in all, the broken peninsula slab has me concerned but the repair may be an acceptable fix ... a reduction in the invoice would be a welcome accomodation to address the defect

Sadie, It must feel good! My HB kitchen/LR/powder room remodel is about 90% done. When finished, I will post pictures. The fireplace surround still needs concrete and steel pieces to complete it. The powder room still needs the faucet/lights/toilet etc. I have a very customized desk area. My husband is a guy who does not really have a lot of design sense. Even he is over the top with the result. I think that is saying alot. Over the years, I have converted him to a lover of minimalistic design. We worked without an architect and my husband is the GC on this project. I thought that the designer was going to have a heart attack at first. But when she realized that we knew what we were doing (learning by trial and error from previous expensive remodels WITH GCs that were useless....), things moved along. Because of the customization and our peculiar shape of the room, the measurements were very detailed and exact, as you mentioned.... I strongly suggest that you go with the installer that they recommend. They vet/train the installers so it's done right. If the reveals are messed up, then the look is completely ruined. For example, my countertop guy wanted to overhang it by 1 inch, ie standard overhang for a traditional looking kitchen. I say absolutely NO. (that was our job since we did not have a GC or architect!) You must follow the detailed "spec"... If you get an installer that does what he/she wants to do and not follow the spec, then the look will be ruined! If the installer is not sure how it should be done, then he/she has to spend the time to check with the designer for every little detail which are quite different from more traditional looking cabinets. I worked with the head designer in Seattle, who really designed HB product line and the Viola Park line. She is amazingly good! The build quality is amazing. Every trade person that has come in has remarked on the buld quality of these cabinets. I wish you the best with your construction. Mold remediation.. Yikes!

Thanks for comments. Practigal...yes, it's just the program. The built in bench thing behind the kitchen counter has a 112 degree angle. The dining one is a 90 degree angle and I'll have to live with cushions to pad it. There's just no room to accommodate a wider bench. But, I can get a back cushion that is at least somewhat angled. Frazestart...yes, I'm not entirely happy about the windows/doors. But...I have no choice on the white, aluminum/vinyl terrace doors and windows. And I hate modern flat panel wood interior doors. Plus I've gone round and round on the doors to the bedroom alcove. What I wanted was louvred bifold doors. No such animal in Spain. Plenty of louvred exterior shutters, but no doors per se. And no bifold doors. So, as time was running out for a decision I hit on the idea of using bypass barn door hardware with three standard doors and I think that's the best I can do. But I wanted them to be more open...so the french door glass look was the best available option. I'll put a sheer shirred panel behind the glass or possibly frost the glass. Also, what looks like a simiilar wooden paneled window above the sofa type thing in the living area isn't a window. It's my current idea for disguising the flat screen TV.: A mirror that mimics the french doors across the room, also hung on barn door hardware. As for tiling to the ceiling. Hmmm, appreciate the advice, but I'm really not sure. It feels to me choppy and disjointed without the strip of painted wall above the tile to lend continuity to the whole wall. Here's a mock up with it to the ceiling. Take another look at the second and third pictures above, please, and tell me if you still advise tile to the ceiling.