Yes, GE Cafe matches much better, but having compared them side by side, the Samsung is much nicer and seems sturdier. Gets much better reviews as well. Samsung is at least a closer look than the Kitchen Aid fridge I first looked at. . . As for Bosch, I like the size of KA better, gets solid reviews, liked it in the store, and use one now that is terrific. Thanks!

I would never buy anything mechanical or electrical from another country if I could buy it here. Not only are standards very different in other countries it is often impossible to get approval for things you would think didn't need approval. There certainly are a lot of good custom door manufacturers in the US. I think the best is Hahn http://www.hahnswoodworking.com/pages/whybest.html Designer Doors is a less durable but good looking alternative. http://www.designerdoors.com/ None of them are a bargain. Here is a link that might be useful: Custon Garage Doors

Wow that's gorgeous! And I just love the blue you chose for the walls as well. A great compliment for the kitchen overall. I too think it was a good thing that the other tile didn't work...frustrating I know, but still, in the end, great given your search lead you to that fabulous tile you have now. The textures in that tile are so much better with the granite than the plain glass.

Okay, if you decide you don't want the piece after diving into refinishing--I get first shot! Seriously, that is going to be beautiful no matter what you decide. I like to stay true to original finishes if it can still be functional. I have an aunt who also collects really nice antique furniture and her response to me once when I was trying to decide about a piece I was going to use was sometimes you have to to what you have to do to make it functional rather than just letting it sit around looing pretty. As far as preserving the original paint, if you are going to be using on a daily basis and not just as a display piece I would probably strip it (please, no knives!) and based on the back would bet the wood would clean up real nice. Regarding the wood, DH and I looked at your pic closely and we think at least the back is pine although when you get around to the front it would not be unusual for another wood such as maple or popular to be mixed in. If you knew where the piece originally came from it might also give you a hint as to the wood type. DH thinks the piece probably dates 1900-1920 based on one of the pieces of wood that looks like it went through a planer if that piece of wood is original to the table and the style of the pulls. Regarding the zinc--too bad it can't be salvaged. However, if you decide to use in your kitchen it might be your chance to get your marble which I think would look great. I will be reusing an old entertainment center base that is 72" long (would have loved to have found something like your table to stay truer to the kitchen style I am trying to achieve) and am getting a marble slab to go on the top. I was able to find a remnant piece that it could be cut from so was able to get a better price. I have really gone back and forth on the paint color and think I have decided on a grey-green or grey-taupey color which seems to bring out the veining in the sample I got rather than a lighter color I had originally looked at. Long way of saying, if you decide to paint it I would wait until you decide on your countertop material before picking paint color. Good luck - you got yourself a bargain!