Not sure how old your husband is, but the older I get, the more I appreciate my 12v LI cordless drill! I have the Hitachi and I love it. I also have an 18v Bosch that is much heavier, but also makes both my shoulder and elbow problems flare up much quicker. For fast jobs where I'm not holding the drill above my head or at odd angles, the heavier drill is fine. But, I'd much rather reach for my smaller drill. So far, I've completely remodeled my house, built a fence, deck, done drywall- all with my 12v drill. I have 3 batteries and when I'm working one is always ready in the charger. The smaller drill has adjustable settings, so I can put together stuff from IKEA without stripping screws. The 18v has way too much power, and would surely strip those. I also have an electric screwdriver that I could use for simpler things, but prefer the feel of the drill. I think it's a very personal thing, have him try them out buy holding them at the store. And remember, most of the displays don't include the heavy part- the battery- so make sure to take that into consideration. And always buy the best brand you can. The first drill I bought was a Black & Decker, and it has been charged maybe twice in the 6 years I've had it. I prefer quality tools- and that one isn't.

Igloochic, I don't in fact work for an induction distributor. I was deliberately non provocative in my post because I know, if I do not understand why, that many people are sensitive to the subject. I DID try to go out of my way to point out that my opinion is not shared by everyone and to include links to sources, such as the EPA that are generally considered credible. I find it dismaying that my remarks were were linked to a "terrible issue" and that I am accused of shilling for some corporation. Rocks and gas HAVE been killing us for years. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US per the National Cancer Institute. It is associated with "15,000 - 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year". Please see the link to the National Cancer Institute for more information. http://www.cancer.gov/cancerTopics/factsheet/Risk/radon One of the reasons that indoor gas appliance use is now affecting asthmatics and allergy sufferers in a way that is showing increasing attention over the years is because houses are now being built to be more energy efficient. In other words, are newly "air tight" homes don't have the air exchange the older homes did so air quality issues in the home are much more prevelant. Please see this link by the United States Enviromental Protection Agency. It will provide several links to other articles by the same governmental agency explaining that the process of "weather" proofing your home can decrease interior air quality as well and additional mechanical means of bringing in the new air to flush the old affected air should be instally. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html It's possible that you can match my links to the Eviromental Protection Agency with some more "silly links" that say induction use will give you cancer. I was never making a statement about induction. I was only speaking about statements our own goverment is making about gas appliances in the home. As for having sex on the countertops I doubt that would be an issue. But if you were having a good time on the countertop for about a few hours a day (the average time spent standing at that same countertop for prep/cooking/clean up for several meals) then I might be worried. I am NOT telling you not to buy gas. Nor am I telling you to buy induction. What I am saying is that the phrase "I have asthma and I live in a house with gas so it must be fine" in nonsensical. If you are perfectly well and live in a superinsulated house with gas appliances that would mean something.

I'm surprised that beaded inset and frameless are the same price... Frameless cabinetry literally takes 1/2 the time to construct... I guess it all really depends on what works best for you. Beaded inset, in my opinion, is the only way to go (for looks). Frameless / full overlay cabinetry does give you a little extra room, but not a ton more... If they are the same price, I'd go w/ beaded inset. I am a bit partial though... as we are an inset cabinet shop. Beaded inset cabinetry screams high end kitchen, and will definitely help with resale.

Sorry, Patricia, the crank pasta machines stay. The penninsula stays, also. There is not enough room for an island or wall ovens. The sink is at the only outside wall and it will say at the window with a view of a creek. An unfinished attic is above the stove. We are both in the kitchen prepping, cooking, and cleaning up at the same time - not one prepping then one cooking. We need more space at the stove and primary sink. This design gives us each a contained workspace without crossing each other's path constantly. . . and takes us out of the walkway. Walking through the living room provides access to the rest of the house for anyone who wants to avoid the kitchen. We view the refrigerator as the appliance that we spend the least amount of time in front of. It's close enough to the stove and the penninsula, and acts as a landing spot for both prep and cleanup. Changing the doorway also brings the kitchen closer to the deck. The only real inconvenience I see is at the doorway when the dishwasher is open. Cabinet style was a secondary consideration. Our experience with a number of purely kitchen designers is that they design great features but won't be using the kitchen with another cook once their work is done. We want and need to be able to function in our kitchen. My question involved how well inset cabinets at the penninsula would blend with full overlay slab cabinet doors. So, here are photos of the current space and preliminary measurements for the redesign. There doorway at the left will be 30" and the fridge will be about 6" to the right.