I use to grow Mums in this kind of basket. I have to say from experience they will not last a whole year. We would pot them up mid June with three cuttings per pot. But come October just as the mums are dying back the pots are done too. They sold well do to the rustic fall feel the pots added. But it was considered as expendable as the mum growing in it. The big issue being the wood is so thin. It takes little time for moisture to start to rotting it away. We would grow the mums like this up on wire benches instead of the ground. Specifically to allow excess water to drain off and away. If you planted the Hosta in nursery pots and set them down in the basket. Using a dish under the pot. You should be able to prolong their useful life. But keep the basket dry as best as possible. Jason This post was edited by W3CSX on Tue, Jun 24, 14 at 22:25

I am in the midst of choosing colors for my renovated bungalow and am trying to get colors to "flow" while staying with earth tones mostly but not doing the same color everywhere! Quite a challenge. I started with my trim (at the insistence of cabinet maker, who is making medicine cabinets with trim to match what's around the windows and doors) and chose BM "cotton balls" (hope I don't find that too white but I wanted something whiter than what I had before, which was Ivory White). The kitchen will have cherry cabinets, medium brown wood floors, soapstone counters, and the backsplash tiles are hand made 3x6 that vary from light green with gray to greenish-gray with darker gray edges - I chose Sebring White. The sunroom I'm thinking Vale Mist, the den off the sunroom maybe Vale Mist mixed at 25% (lots less natural light), the hallways Morning Dew, the living room off the hallway Coastal Fog, the dining room next to it (and leading back into the kitchen) Tapestry Beige (in part to pick up color in fabric of dining chair seat). Master BR I've chosen Silken Pine but mixed at 150% - it's to complement the bathroom tile, which is P&L P138 (of course I'm using the store's sample and who knows if the tile will actually be that color!). Trying to decide what do about ceilings. If my builder and architect get what they want, I'd use "ceiling white" but no way am I going to go with yet another white - it will either be Cotton Balls (in a different finish than the trim) or should I go with the room colors, perhaps mixed at 50%? Thoughts? TMI????

It turned out well and it is a viable option for me. I asked for all the bells and whistles including soft close hinges for all the cabinet doors, a wood range hood, two super susans, soft close drawers, full-extension glides, two corner cabinet mullions with seedy glass, a wood enlay above the refrigerator, two corbels, five inch crown molding with a rope insert done in the black finish and black heirloom finish on the peninsula side. I also choose all plywood construction. All of that for 16,498 without the tax. They have a deal where if you go with them for the installation they credit the tax towards the installation cost. They also throw in the sink base and have 10% off the cabinets as a whole. I have decided to see if CP can come up with something in that price range. So, yes, I'm finally making some progress. The only thing is I had to go with their Pacific door to get the finishes I wanted (Morel Vintage). I think this also locks you into having the raised panel door fronts, too, which vary according to the size of the drawer. I'm not 100% thrilled about that. I think their Saffron finish is pretty special, though. It coordinates nicely with the cayenne and paint finishes I think. If I weren't working with my busy oriental rugs, I would seriously consider those finished together. Absolutely gorgeous!

I am considering putting up my home for sale as is. My realtor said it might sell o.k. because of the lot size here in Southern California. I haven't gone through with signing because I didn't want my home to sell and I wouldn't have a home to move into. My concern is mostly because I have tons to plants to take with me, LOL! The realtor clearly said that I would not get my money back if I painted, fixed the pool, etc., so hence the reason for selling as is. We will see what the new year brings.