Hi Manbike and other experts, I just bought an Elite full top-grain, aniline plus leather sofa that is made in their California plant. They use tempered steel sinuous springs for both the back and seating suspension. From their site... Depending on the design of an individual style, our frames are made of responsibly forested Pacific Northwest alder hardwood or of Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) certified hardwood plywood. The hardwood plywood frames we produce also meet the strict standards of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). We create the frames in our own mill and reinforce our fames to ensure proper tailoring of the selected covering. And, while others may not use corner blocks at all, we use many in each sofa to enhance its strength. I do not have it yet. Most of the better sofas like HM are out of my price range. I sort of got warn down on my research and took the plunge. I did read a few bad reviews but apparently they have a cheaper side line sold at Macys and a few other stores that is made in China. I'm a bit nervous as I did not try it out in person. Also, if plywood is bad what do they mean by hardwood plywood? Does that mean crap? The choices are so limited around me so I ordered from a dealer I have used in the past. Do you know anything about Elite quality? I have read that not all sinuous springs are bad and that some can be very good. I should add that I did write the factory and ask if my sofas had any China on it, they wrote back and said no, it is made in the California plant. Now granted in the world of furniture I am not making a huge investment. It is however a big investment to me in my world. I bought a four seat Aero sofa and a three seat Aero sofa, both in the top grain leather for a total of $4800. IâÂÂm just hoping that IâÂÂm getting a good mid to mid high quality and not over paying for a poor quality. Trying to get the best bang for your buck in a mid to mid high range is incredibly hard. Not everyone can spring for a HM. With H&M you know what you are getting. Not so much with other brands these days, even brands that formally had a good reputation. This post was edited by jterrilynn on Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 10:14

I think there are several installments on the 'This Old House' website, so you might want to do a search there. Here is a link that might be useful: This Old House

My favorite nursery is Daisy White in Mt. Sinai. Take 347 East until you get to Mt. Sinai Coram Road; turn left, heading north. Take this to it's end, turn right onto North Country Road. They are about 3/4 of a mile down on the left side. (If you know where Mt. Sinai HS is, they are just east of that a short way.) I don't know for sure if they have bleeding heart, but give them a call. It's a gorgeous place, and the quality of the plants is excellent. Prices are reasonable, and they people who run it are lovely. Daisy White Nursery. 185 N. Country Road. Mt. Sinai NY 11766-0787. (631) 474-3897 Welcome to LI! I hope you are adjusting well...it is a shocking change, isn't it?

*places bag over head* :-/ I'm officially de-lurking to ask for help. I thought I had bookmarked the page but for the life of me I can't find it! Here is what I remember: It was a rental home remodel. Adorable old home they refinished wood floors re-created amazing woodwork around the windows (the original had to be removed). There were some cute simple scalloped edge window treatments of some sort. The kitchen had grey walls and home Depot white cabinets and there was a very narrow shelf placed next to the refrigerator. I also remember a cool curved wall and a mixture of paint colors in the various rooms, grey, yellow, pink. Officially..... Hello! I'm in the process of gathering ideas for a new build and the advice I've gathered here has been invaluable! Thank you!!!