Based on how vines will grow on a trellised screen I think you might have problems with the screens being on a hinge. In regards to the feelings of hostility. I don't have any comment except to say that people erect fences and screens all the time and usually it works out just fine. To integrate the new screen in with the solid fence , it may work out best to pick out some of the same architectural elements from the fence and repeat in the trellis structure, as an example use the same post detailing and height. Personally I am bored to death with off the shelf lattice. I know it is very affordable and can look good, but I'm over it and if one can find it in their means to create a different lattice style pattern then I think that can really set your craftsmanship apart. Check out the trellis work on Pete Pedersen's website under the heading details : LINK - http://www.pedersenassociates.com/PA_Web/PA_docs/pages/PA-Projects-GardenAlbum.htm The photo below is off the shelf lattice with some custom details. It still bores me to death but often times you have to work within a budget. If I/ the client had the financial means to augment the design I would interjected some different size ( custom ) lattice layouts. - but these days, we all know that budget takes front row and you have to do what you can afford and ultimately like. From September 27, 2011

Amserelda: I'd like some hens and chicks, please, to add to my collection. I'm not picky -- anything will do! Serpent Moon and I appreciate the Crown of Thorns cuttings -- she has already requested it for us. Would you like a cutting of Euphorbia trigona? Skybird: We already have some sedums from you, from the fall swap. I'm not sure what Serpent Moon has requested, but I'm fine with you giving some of them to others who request them. ---------- The tomatoes I planted a few weeks ago are still sprouting. I take back whatever I said about the potentially low germination of the Costoluto Fiorentino tomato seeds. Even though I saved the seeds over a decade ago, they are still in good shape. I have 3-4 seedlings per pot, of the 3-4 seeds planted per pot. If you are careful, you might be able to separate out the seedlings and pot them up separately. I don't think any have their first set of true leaves yet. If anyone wants seeds for them, please let me know and I'll package up some for you. Ditto for the seeds from the cherry tomatoes I grew last year from Plant Swap plants -- Black Cherry, Sun Cherry, and Riesentraub. All seem to be germinating well this spring. Costoluto Fiorentino looks a lot like Costoluto Genovese, for those who are wondering. It's a medium to large sized tomato with lots of ribs, rather like an accordion. They're a booger to peel if you're making sauce. The flavor is quite reasonable, and they grew well in my Oregon garden (coolish dry summers, fairly short season). The original seed came from Sementi, a gift from a friend who had visited Italy. I'll go through the thread this evening to write down names of people who've requested specific things. I'll make coleus and geranium cuttings tomorrow, plus maybe a few Euphorbia trigona cuttings in case anyone wants a thorny but vigorous succulent as a houseplant. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

Hi, flynn. Here are my two appliance garages, side by side with tilt-up doors. The doors roll back into the garages, and so don't interfere with the cabinet above. My uninformed guess is that this type of hardware works with inset doors but not overlay. (I'm guessing from your drawings that you're going with overlay?) Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about cabinetry might step in here and discuss the the possible door mechanisms. (Side note: Interesting, isn't it, that the exposed soapstone has darkened over time, but the stone inside the cabinet hasn't?) As far as size goes, if I remember right, mine are each 26" wide by 18" high by 18" deep. (The whole unit was built without a back, so that we'd get a bit of extra depth for the microwave, in the left-hand garage.) Doors at this size don't feel bulky to me at all. I could easily be comfortable going bigger, but wouldn't want them much smaller. I'm a bit confused about the spot you're thinking about for yours. The original post seems to indicate the counter to the right of your refrigerator, but the later pictures show what looks like an appliance garage in the corner between the sink and the range. If you mean to the right of the refrigerator, think carefully about how much of that precious fridge-landing-space it would eat up. And don't forget that a microwave needs landing space, too, as mamagoose pointed out. We have a small bread board that pulls out right in front of the microwave. Maybe this would be a good place for one for you, too. Best of luck with your decision-making. Regina

Virtuals are unmatched for letting you think through color patterns in the room, proportions and the things like this-- the final placement. My opinion is based on your comment that you don't need the chair-- I would move forward with the room with only a single chair for now. Since the dimensions of your bookcase won't change-- all you'd need to do to add a chair is to slide the bookcase and perhaps by an end table. (BTW I have seen the narrow profile end tables somewhere less expensive than EA-- plow and hearth, maybe?). If you find the *perfect* chair in the next few months, Squirrels virtuals show you that you can fit one in. My biggest fear for you is that both the kitchen and FR will look furniture heavy. Having the kitchen table/chairs right there is influencing my opinion-- and they aren't visible in the virtuals. Also, it makes for a mucky path to the bathroom if the whole family is watching tv together. I think your plan to check with the store that had the ET custom made for you is a great plan. Hopefully they will come in with a decent price. I'd still like to see it in a darker finish to give you some visual interest but matching would be lovely too. I too have seen the Macy's pieces and they were solid wood (though I don't know if it was veneer on wood) and seemed to be well made. I do not think it would be a bad option for you-- other than the fact that it may not work for your photo albums. Maybe you can throw one in a tote bag and try it out on the floor? Just more of my continued 2 cents. I guess I am up to a dime now ;)