I ordered from Aren't I Pretty this year. They were small plants but all lived and some scaped and bloomed. I know I should have cut the scapes off to promote growth but wanted to see the blooms.

I would never step in between a red freak and her paint chips. Any of them will work, I'm sure, but the middle one is definitely more "cherry"/blue on my monitor. I've got "burnt terra cotta" by our local Hershfields (Minn.) paint company. Brownish red without the tomato aspect. You've probably seen it in my postings. It's working well. I'm finding that it is more forgiving and relaxing than "real" red. Even in my old supposedly red kitchen, the reds were in the flooring, the sink, and the decorative pieces but the walls were linen wallpaper; this is my first red paint kitchen. It's funky and it's happy. Have fun stormin' the castle! fyi if you've never seen the "red freaks" thread from last year, you might see some red kitchens there that have eluded you. Here is a link that might be useful: red freaks thread

My vote goes to #1: amazingcm's Pink and Brown Pinwheels. I like the pattern, the choice of colors and fabric, the "degree of difficulty" (can you tell I've been watching the Olympics?), and the overall look. (I thank all those who have made such nice comments about my quilt and the cat in the window! I wish I could have captured a picture with the lights out so you could see the glow-in-the-dark quilting but I just couldn't figure out how to take the long exposure photo.) Kate

Gray! Gray! Gray!!! No white walls, though! Light gray cabs with darker gray walls works. Or pale yellow walls. This will keep it bright and it works with your accent colors (My favorite colors are actually aqua and chartreuse). Use a GOOD quality paint on those cabinets though! Fine Paints of Europe or BM, not Home Depot stuff (Behr's, Martha Stewart) - find a color and get it matched, preferably in oil. I don't have pics, but my bedroom colors are Behr's Melted Butter walls (might be a bit too dark in kitchen - it is a very warm yellow), Behr's Flint Smoke trim and built-ins (medium gray), and Amphibian (charcoal) accent wall. Pale blue-gray ceiling (Misty Surf, I think - bought Sparkling Spring to match other grays, but was too light). For the cabs the color "River Rock" might work - lighter than Flint Smoke, darker than Sparkling Spring. Maybe "Whisper Yellow" walls - a shade lighter than mine. Again, Behr, but BM or FPE can color match. In my bedroom these colors appear a true gray - but you really have to try them (or any paint, for that matter) in your own space - the same paint can look totally different from one room to the next depending on lighting and sheen. Buy some sample sizes first. I also see this with a warm white trim around doors and windows. Our white trim is Behr's Pot of Cream, but seriously, it takes 3-4 coats (on top of primer) to cover well - not worth the "savings."