This is just my opinion: I'd only consider a garden window IF: - I lived in a COLD climate, and -the window faced south or maybe west, and -it did not take away from the architectural style of my home and... -most importantly, I was actually going to use it to grow herbs in the winter, etc.! (A neighbor has one, but has stupid fake flowers & little figurines in it. Tacky.) When I lived in NYC, I would have LOVED one, as I loved having houseplants and kitchen herbs in a sunny window. But here in sunny SoCalif, I wouldn't haveÂor wantÂone, though plenty of people do. Ironically, I seldom see REAL plants in them. So, go figure. I also don't really like the boxy-ness of them, but that is a personal thing. As brushwork said: make sure it is quality all around. good luck!

Three of the vinyl windows are 26.75in wide and the other four windows are 21in wide. The reclaimed casement windows are 22in wide. So they're a bit narrow for some openings and a smidge too wide for the others. Height-wise, the reclaimed windows are 2 inches taller than the vinyls. There are other bungalows from the same year on my block, and those that have their original windows have casements in the front of the house. So it's possible that we're actually returning to a more original look. Tell me more about the flashing. I have other casements (different style, though) that we restored, and we weatherstripped them. There are storm windows on the outside. We haven't had any issues with water with those...Is there something else you'd recommend we do differently with our new window project?

We're getting closer to breaking ground on this project, hopefully early February, so updating my window quotes. Got pricing this past September, screenshot below is the patio door section of the quote. We're doing a 4 panel slider, so a pair of 6'8" by 6" sliders. I'm in Maryland (project is NE of Baltimore, so outside of WoW service area unfortunately) from the company the Okna factory referred me to, which is a company in Pennsylvania. This is a price for the door only. Install will be through our builder/his subs. The Okna dealer has great google reviews, but horrible yelp reviews which gives me pause, even just buying from them. They've also been kind of a pain getting pricing from - maybe they're not as interested in selling windows they don't install? I saw this old thread https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2641193/okna-patio-door-price#n=23 where $2400 8 years ago for an Okna Elegante was considered low at the time, but that price was with install. Is this $1554 price crazy low? Or is this in the realm of normal for just the door, no install? A google search for Maryland Okna Windows turned up another company that's more local (Baltimore suburb) and has a showroom. I spoke with them yesterday and at least got a warm and fuzzy over the phone - will be visiting the showroom this weekend. But I was under the impression Okna has a select dealer network, so I don't understand why the Okna factory didn't also give me their info?

A good cleaning can lighten dark wood. Some of the darkness can be just the pile-up of waxes mixed with grime. The wood is gorgeous but it looks overwhelming because there is nothing else in the room to soften it. Add art, table linens, maybe a rug, and upholster the chairs in something lighter and the room will look "pulled together" and the wood will shine rather than overwhelm. As for painting, it is a way to disguise poor quality materials. In the case of that dining room set, painting it makes something high quality and valuable look less so. As some have explained, it is a downgrade. Why downgrade. Upgrade by cleaning and new upholstery. Worse comes to worse, add a tablecloth. I have on on my dark dining room table, it is great for adding contrast and color to a room, and I can change out the look by changing out the tablecloth and linens. Chair covers of fabric would be another way to change up the look without destroying the beauty of real solid hardwood.