If you want a shrubbier, less succulent look, there are a bevy of wonderful low water shrubs, sub-shrubs, and perennials that can handle a LOT of sun I have come across. I wouldn't want a whole garden full of only succulents, but spots here or there can add easy year round color and interesting textures. I've mostly been using them in containers, but I've been putting them towards the front of some mixed borders. The bigger issue with a lot of these plants is tenderness. Many will just die when it reaches the twenties and are set back by temps in the thirties so they are primarily promoted near the coast. I'm not sure what the winter lows are in your area, Ingrid, but I'd be happy to come up with some interesting, high heat/sun tolerance plants that may work well for your vacant area. Aloe tomentosa, Aeonium urbicum, Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder', Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom, Lessertia montana, and Phyllica pubescens were some I utilized this past weekend. They all have lower water needs and have various points of interest. Phylica in particular works well here if it has excellent drainage because it's indigenous to fairly alkaline conditions. Jay

I remember a different thread where you had the chaise on the other side of the room -- I liked that much, much better. If I were using the room, I'd enjoy looking out the window, and I thought the small desk fit well in its original location -- especially with the artwork and lamp. The only thing I don't care for are the candles on the wall.

Two and a half years ago, I made my first full sized quilt. I'd had the plans for it tucked away in a folder for at least ten years, and to make "a" quilt before I died was on my bucket list. So far I've completed five and have four more tops about ready to be finished. I have enough fabrics in bins to make maybe fifty and am still buying it when I see 'just the right' pattern. A bedroom has been converted to a sewing room, and I now have a nice assortment of templates instead of cardboard pieces, assorted bias binding cones, a bucket of quilting threads, three new pair of scissors, including a good Ghingers, rotary cutters and a mat, a frame on lend to me, hoops, rolls of batting for projects down the road, and God help me, I just graduated to buying material by the bolt. Obsession?

It depends on the ORB you are looking at. Some ORB is very dark, almost black. Some is more of a warm dark tan. Keep in mind as well that if the ORB you're looking at does not have a PVD coating, the finish will wear off over time and you will have shiny brass showing through from underneath the finish. They call this a "living finish." If that is not something that you think you'd like, then stick with the black. We are doing something similar in our kitchen: white cabs, Verde peacock granite, SS sink & faucet as well. We were originally going to do either black or ORB hardware, but finally decided on brushed nickel. It's a lot more cost effective, looks great, and you don't have to worry about the finish wearing off. Also, I *think* that black hardware's finish can wear off over time as well, but don't quote me on that. Look into it. We looked at Colonial Bronze Hardware (and ultimately bought from them) b/c they have a lifetime warranty on the finish, as long as you don't clean it with abrasive cleaners/scrub it, etc. Their black and ORB hardware is gorgeous. Made in the USA too! And since your granite doesn't really have any brown tones in it (right?), the ORB may not tie in as well as the black would. There is black in your Emerald Pearl I assume? Might tie in better than ORB. Both the ORB and the black will be heavy contrast against the white cabinets, which can be beautiful. The satin nickel we chose will kind of disappear, but we are ok with that. Ultimately, it comes down to what YOU want and not what everyone else "is doing," so don't get hung up on that! You have to live with it and love it; that's most important. Think about what will tie in best with your granite. What is your wall color btw?