What I noticed is that the plant sizes would make for a very mature landscape right away. I mean REALLY mature. 7 gallon azaleas--3 gallon ferns--if in fact the gallon size is "good container" grown and not just potted up. The heights, when noted, are large. The prices do seem high compared to what I have seen for even for large specimens at my local nurseries (not box stores) but again, we're not in the same region or market. So obviously it will be a big job to install such large items correctly for good survival--really big holes! And, do we assume that the spacing they used reflects both the fact that some of these babies aren't going to grow much more as well as that some of them, when they do grow, will grow a lot since are large to start with. As laag has pointed out, you would get a really big bang right away from using specimens this large. So you may be paying super top dollar for that, and should decide, does that sound cool and not worth trying to cut back $1000 or so to get different plant prices. Part of the deal is to try to figure out how you can be assured or satisfied about what you are "getting" from this company. Isn't it appropriate to discuss that with the company to some extent? Such as , wow, $__ for a __--tell me why that is. Seems like they ought to have an answer, though I admit I might not be able to interpret it, such as, well, we have a grower whose plants are just primo, all the other 5-gal whatevers are usually root bound and blah, blah, blah. I would prefer to pay reasonable rates for plant material and be shown a higher rate for labor than to think items were padded or larger than necessary items were used, or whatever. Another question I would have, not knowing the whole deal on your property and the areas being landscaped, is, is the area being prepped adequately to accept these large specimens? Perhaps you have really good topsoil alrady and/or they are building large partially raised beds with a good loam. How many yards of what kind of soil mix are you getting for $975? My example would be, you can't just dig a big hole in clay soil or raise up low-quality topsoil for a bunch of 7 gal azaleas and expect it to be happy. So, you're back to some form of shopping around and/or reviewing references and examples of their work and deciding on the company and not just the shopped-cost. Trust vs. research vs. some combination.

Thank you! So far Shivakashi is winning by a knock out! It is true that it has a more organic feel to it, it has the earth colors and greens of a garden... I am worried that it will be too orange, but then I tend to gravitate towards orange, yellow or reds... I am not set on the wall color at all but it will probably be in that spectrum. I want the feeling to be fun and sunny. Thank you all who answered! What is ORB? The pulls are Ikea.

So glad Mr. Amity is feeling better! I just had slate floors installed in a mudroom and when I asked about grout, the tile store salesman said, "Everyone just goes with Bone or Natural". So I went with Bone. I LOVE it. I have no pictures handy but I found some pics to give you a visual of slate plus lighter grout, hope this helps! [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-island-mediterranean-kitchen-cleveland-phvw-vp~34358) [mediterranean kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2109) by san francisco interior designer Jamie Snavley [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/bathroom-with-custom-cabinetry-and-slate-floor-contemporary-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~52443) [contemporary bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by san francisco general contractor Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/back-patio-entryway-entry-phvw-vp~45674) [entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entryway-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_741) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/back-patio-entryway-entry-phvw-vp~45676) [entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entryway-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_741) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/various-mud-rooms-entry-calgary-phvw-vp~48149) [entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entryway-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_741) by other metros interior designer Veranda Interiors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/various-mud-rooms-entry-calgary-phvw-vp~48148) [entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entryway-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_741) by other metros interior designer Veranda Interiors I think you're tile would look great with a very slightly gray grout , something similar to good old plain concrete. I only found a few pics with grout similar to the slate and they were all uniform charcoal colored slate and it made the floor tiles blend together. You have nice variation, maybe you shouldn't blend, I'd wanna see those tiles! They're awesome!

I really don't know where to go, but I will tell you this. Half the battle with granite is with the fabricator. Choose a bargain priced fabricator and more than likely you will buy a poor cut, polish and install. There is a huge amount of skill required for this. One bad seam will stick out like a sore thumb and you will be very unhappy. This is one of those things where a bargain is not a bargain. It is better to spend a little more and be sure you are getting a excellent fabricator. It works like this in Pa. You find your contractor/fabricator. Usually they will stock the granite, or guide you to a place that will let you pick out your slab. My guess is Venetian Gold is a mid price granite. It is very important that you see the exact slab or slabs you will be using. Any color granite can vary quite a bit in look from slab to slab. Never pick a slab from a sample unless it is one of the solid or near solid colors. Where you can save a good bit of money is choosing a standard edge, upgraded edges can cost $15-25 dollars a foot more. Exotics are the most expensive granites, anywhere from $110 to $150.00 a square foot. I started like you to find a bargain or wholesale or any kind of deal for my counter tops and found out it really can't be done. If you did manage to buy a slab wholesale, who would transport it? What if you broke it? Saving money is great, but the peace of mind that you would get by finding a quality installer outweighs any cost savings you would gain by the scenarios you described.