Here is the layout roughly to scale, Couch to stairs is about 60 inches, pinch point is about 42 inches. Dining table edge to the far wall is 60-66 inches. And the elevator door has to stay closed or the elevator won't run. The closet door will also usually stay closed. Yeah the space is a little crazy with the traffic lanes all through it. I have considered a zillion ways - including using the window alcove for dining. But... given other needs/priorities (two spots to lie down, LOL, a 'dead end' traffic free sitting/conversation area, lighting and media wiring, natural light for reading, blah blah), the best arrangement is to center the shorter sofa in the window alcove and the longer at a right angle, its back to the stairs. That channels all the traffic along the left side. 19 x 29 gets pretty small after subtracting the balcony, stairs and traffic lanes. Teacats, I have collected some barkcloth already. Wondered about covering the dining settee with it...

Hi crzy, You have a really similar color scheme to what we are going with, minus the glaze. We are also doing cream cabinets with a Calcutta gold backsplash. All the soapstones I looked at (and the selection was very limited in my area) were too busy and too green. I also *thought* I had settled on Jet Mist honed granite, (so pretty!) but when I saw it in person, it was too busy with the marble. Also, the gray shade was too "cool" with the warm cream paint and marble. To my surprise, what I finally settled on is Zodiaq quartz in Mystic Black. It is not too shiny, too dull, or too busy. It doesn't have the plastic-y look and feel that some of the other solid surfaces can have. It doesn't show fingerprints or water marks. It is kind of a dark charcoal color. I know there are some beautiful BLACKER soapstones out there, but they were not available in my area. I think in a smaller kitchen, the 2cm looks really nice--maybe even better than the chunkier 3cm if you don't really have any long runs. I know all about the addiction--I started having wrist and neck problems from all the scrolling and clicking hours. Even now, when everything is pretty much settled, I don't want to miss a good tip I could incorporate, so I check every day! Happy planning!

There are many different ways to germinate seeds. The Baggie Method is fun and easy to do. This FAQ started as a post on the Growing From Seed Forum and was posted by "Taryn" on Thu, Mar 6, 03. Other tips in the FAQ have been shared by "Valray", "Henry_Kuska", and "Glen_Cdn_Prairies_z3". Taryn writes of her method: "I've had several people email me privately to elaborate on the coffee filter/baggie method I've referred to a few times. So, since there are a lot of newbies to this forum who might not know about it, I thought I'd elaborate publically on this variation of 'the paper towel method'. I presprout nearly all my seeds using coffee filters and baggies, then transplant sprouts to soilless mix in cellpacks. I use round basket-type coffee filters because the paper is denser than paper towels, so the roots don't get enmeshed in it as easily. Here's what I do: 1) With masking tape and a Sharpie waterproof marker, mark a ziplock baggie with seed type, date, and any pertinent info about germ temps/stratifying/light required. 2) Wet a coffee filter, then squeeze out excess moisture so it is just damp, not wet. 3) Imagining it as a pie, sow your seeds on 1/4 of the pie, then fold filter in half, then in half again. Your seeds should have one layer of filter on one side, three layers on the other. 4) Place the folded filter into the ziplock back, puff a little air in the baggie, then seal, leaving it just slightly puffed, not completely flat. 5) Place in warm place to germinate or in a tupperware container in the fridge (so they don't get squished by the cucumbers!) for cold strat, and wait.... Voila, little mini-greenhouse! Check baggies every few days, and remoisten as needed. Even if one doesn't appear to need remoistening, don't let them go over a week without opening them up for some fresh air. I use a mister bottle with 1:20 hydrogen peroxide:water to help prevent mold and mildew from forming. You could use chamomile tea too if that is what you currently use. For seeds that need light, keep them with the single layer of filter up, and in bright light, though not direct sunlight. If they need dark, put in a drawer or cupboard. I have used this method with great success for many types of seeds, including very small ones. It does take some practice transferring them from the filter to the cellpacks, and I use a couple of toothpics for this procedure, transplanting them as they sprout. I premoisten my soilless mix (5 cups mix to 3 cups hot/boiling water), let cool, then fill the cellpacks lightly. There shouldn't be large airpockets, but it also shouldn't be packed down. Don't forget to relabel the cellpacks. Pick up seeds/seedlings using a wet toothpic, handling only the seedcoats/leaves, not the stem or root. Use a 2nd toothpic as a dibble, making a tiny hole or larger depending on the root. Larger seeds like Datura I move with my fingers. Put them root down, firm the mix around them and pop them under the lights. What have I germinated this way? This year, since February 16th: Aruncus aethusifolius Buddleia davidii (blue) Buddleia davidii (pink) Buddleia davidii (purple) Buddleia davidii (white) Callirhoe involucrata Caryopteris divaricata Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight and Longwood Blue, mixed' Caryopteris x clandonensis 'First Choice' Corydalis Sempervivens Datura discolor , white with violet throat Datura metel 'Ballerina Purple' aka 'Double purple' Datura metel 'Double white' Datura metel 'la Fleur lilac' Datura metel 'Triple yellow' Heteropappus meyendorfii Blue Knoll Strain Hibiscus moscheutos (pink) Pulsatilla vulgaris Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa Daisy' Salvia argentea Salvia lyrata 'Burgandy Bliss' Salvia sclarea turkestanica Seseli gummiferum Tanacetum niveum Thalictrum aquilegifolium Tricyrtis hirta variegata Verbena bonariensis And many other varieties in past years, including Hellebores. All the Datura varieties were starting to germ, after nicking and soaking overnight, within 24 hours. Caryopteris, 48 hours. Many, many other seeds I sowed on March 4th, so I am awaiting germination still. I can list them as they start to germ if anyone would like this information. There are many ways to grow from seed, and this may be too fussy for some with the extra transplanting step. But the benefits for me, besides the fast germination, is that only viable plants go under my limited growlight space. I have 8 flats of cellpacks already and only room under the lights for 12, so that space is very precious! It is way too cold to fire up the greenhouse yet... This is just a variation on 'the paper towel method', which was explained to me several years ago by past posters, so I'm just passing on the version that has worked the best for me. Hope it helps some of you germ those trickier seeds, or even just make this winter go a bit faster by experimenting with your extra ones." Taryn ========================================= Valray adds..... "My two cents worth... it's best to keep the baggies vertical (rather than laying them flat) and the filters always the same way "up." This means the roots go down between the sheets of paper rather than into them. And the roots know which which way is up and it doesn't keep changing when the baggie gets moved around." ============================================= Henry Kuska suggests his variation in which he uses sand instead of paper to sow his seeds in.... "I like sand rather than paper. No embedded roots problem; just rinse the sand away. Also it is easy to see if the sand is too wet or too dry from the color. I use 5 ml of drugstore type 3 % hydrogen peroxide to 95 ml of water for every watering including the first." =============================================== Glen_Cdn_Prairies_z3 adds his suggestions...... 1) "For perennials, when using baggies / moist towels in the fridge to stratify the seed, in my experience maybe 50% of species germinate right in the fridge. The other 50% of species get 0% germination in fridge but will only germinate on the shift to warm temps and light after stratification." 2) "For really tiny, dust-like seed, moist paper towels (and I suspect coffee filters) are no good for stratification. The seed disappears into the paper fabric. For this seed, I use 1 cm of moist soilless mix in baggie, sprinkle the seed on it, then put in fridge. When I feel they've been in the fridge long enough, I take the baggie out of the fridge, fill a pot full of soilless mix, wet it, and spread the soilless mix from the baggie on top of it using a knife and spreading it on top like peanut butter." ======================================== Thanks again to Taryn, Val, Henry, and Glen for sharing their creative ideas and contributing to this very informative FAQ on germinating seeds in a baggie.

I didn't put 2 & 2 together at 1st, but then crcollins said the light bulb went on & Bam, I knew it was you! Great story & fun lesson. I believe mudhouse said something about how your so generous with your knowledge & one of the many people on here that helps to keep the community together. So true & greatly appreciated for all of it. Especially nice to see you after such a big change on here. I was a little worried that we might have lost that wonderful community of all of the generous & charitable help. But, I think it's all coming back. I, for one, am glad to see so many of the regulars on here. Thanks again for a fun story Treb.