andre le pew (joking), could you possibly post a picture of this "weird looking" bolt? While it might in fact be some sort of "proprietary" fastener, available only through the OEM (and the OEM dealer net), there is a good chance it is just something unfamiliar to you. A picture would be worth at least one thousand words of descriptive narration. If we could see the offensive bolt, it might turn out to be something you could find at a well stocked "bolt & screw" supply house. As an additional attempt at locating the fastener, you might want to visit REDSQUARE to ask the membership there if the item is exclusive to Toro/WH or if it is available commonly. Here is a link that might be useful: REDSQUARE

It is going to be just wonderful this year as your plants should be well established and the flowerbeds full of flowers. They should completely fill in that bed. Can't wait to see it then. Great blog. Keep up the great work and keep us informed. ~Annie

It allows the unit to run at a bit higher pressure and is supposed to have a higher duty cycle. Too early to tell on that. Is it worth 500 bucks? I'm not sure you could pencil in a spread sheet making the xtra dough pay for itself over the unit's life. Your dishes probably won't get any cleaner, Miele DW's already work well. It's not as if you're getting a used unit without warranty from sombody you don't know and can't verify history on. Sounds like you're a bit of a nervous nelly and need the security of having the latest, new in the box experience. Many people would jump at the chance to get 25% off on a Miele product, as there is never a sale. Miele makes great products and stands behind them. They are always improving and innovating their products. Within a few years the entire line will have some sort of change to it and your's will be obsolete if you choose to look at it that way. Same thing happens with computer's - did that stop you from buying whatever you're typing on now? If you want a Miele DW and are serious about getting a "deal" sounds like a good opportunity. I always tell folks around here you don't get a discount - you earn it. Here you are earning it by assuming some risk with a floor model, getting a discontinued model, and living with older technology and not getting a box. Most deal hounds would gladly trade these minor issues for 500-600 bucks.

I agree with all of you: they're definitely Hollywood Regency. And I should recharacterize my own style, which is probably better said to be "*in* transition" rather than transitional. (: I do like clean-lined pieces, and our DR set is very Mission; the adjacent LR combines Mission and Art Deco; and our bedroom, where these chairs would go, is your basic Recovering Graduate Student/Random Wedding Present room. So funky/eclectic would fit in just fine there. And there's just something about these chairs... The room is a long rectangle. The half without windows is for the bed (not a bed per se, but rather mattresses on a metal frame) and the dressers, which are mismatched yard sale finds. On the other side of the room, I'd like to create a sitting/reading area next to the windows, with a gorgeous view of the mountains (by far the nicest thing about the room!). We got a red and tan handloomed Peruvian folk-art rug for our wedding, and that's what we'll use to set off the seating area. Also on that side of the room, framing one window, are some slender dark walnut modern-styled bookcases. And then the part I'd like to replace: a heinously ugly loveseat that a friend gave us, also on that side of the room. I'd much rather find some reading chairs and an ottoman than a loveseat anyway; the room's not that big, and the loveseat makes it a pain to open and close the curtains and shades. I agree these chairs don't look too comfortable, so they're probably not my ideal reading chairs. But they'd be good for draping the bathrobe or pulling into the LR for extra seating. I love the idea of velvet, and maybe even the box-pleated skirt -- hadn't thought of that, cool idea, thank you! I agree that they're great in a pattern, but I don't want lots of patterns clashing in my bedroom, I don't think. What would you think of a tan velvet on the back and the bottom of the seat, and then the top, round seat cushion in something like this: Here is a link that might be useful: I'd use this pillow cover to reupholster the seat...