Cycad material in general is toxic to most mammals. The smaller the animal, the less it has to consume. I get at least 2 calls or e-mails every year from someone in Miami who has a small dog who is at the vet and is asking what to do. Zamia furfuracea is alsmost a weed now down in south Florida. Each female will produce 100s and large plants can produce more than 1000 seeds at one time. These people's dogs eat the seeds because of the attractive red coating and then in about 48 hours, they die of liver and kidney failure. If they eat about 5 to 10 seeds anything like a shitzu (I don't know how to spell dog names)or something along that size has hardly any chance at all. One guy had a black lab and he was going through signs, like yellow eyes and off color places on the coat, but he survived after a few months of cleaning out. His vet was telling him to put him down, but it had been about 2 weeks already, so if the dog made 2 weeks, he was going to be alright. Just in case this comes up for anyone, there is a medicine that helps the animal go through liver functions that helps the aniomal along until it cleans out and this has made a big difference for middle of the road cases. Cats, I don't see how a cat that would eat a good amount of seeds would live. If it eats a few leaflets, I think you would be good.Some cats don't eat plant material. I think even a cat that does that, once it tasted some, he wouldn't want any more. Keep in mind if you only have 1 plant, you will never get seeds. If you have a group of plants, just cut the cones off when they are full size after they have been emerging for a month, and that will help a lot. What I have done is pull out the male furfuraceas special, and I sell those for landscape plants and don't sell females that I know of. You may only have one female and say you are covered, but in Miami, if there is a male within 1/4 mile, your plant has probably been pollinated.

I think the "sandpaper rash" concept is incorrect. I'd like to hear from any parent who's child suffered from a "sandpaper rash" while bathing in a tub with a textured bottom. I have a Kohler with textured strips on the bottom. It is not a problem for me as I sit, so I doubt if it is for children. I would have recommended a cast iron 4.5' tub. Sounds like you got something else though. I would like hear what you did go with, might be helpful to someone else with this issue.

Corbels certainly come in all different shapes and sizes. I didn't even realize what I had would be considered corbels until someone commented on mine from a picture I had posted. Our corbels are for decorative purposes only. We have cherry shaker style cabinets, so ours are very simple. They were the last thing installed, after the backsplash, beadboard, and shaker pegs that abutt them. Our GC installed a temporary piece of wood in their location so that the correct spacing was done for installation of these items. Hope this helps.

Wow, This is the first time I've heard of paperstone. I googled it and found so many rave reviews! I went with leathered black granite in my kitchen as an alternative to soapstone but I would have absolutely considered this if I'd known about it. For others that aren't familiar: From http://www.3luxe.com/best_ofs/Countertops/PaperStone "Certified by both the Forest Stewardship council and the Rainforest Alliance, PaperStone reuses cardboard and other paper products to make durable, water-resistant countertops. But PaperStone is much tougher than its name sounds. The material in PaperStone originally was used to make outdoor skateboard ramps, so these countertops are more than prepared to meet the demands of the most enthusiastic cooks. Unlike other composite countertops, PaperStone Certified is made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper that is bonded not with a non-petroleum based resin but a water-based formula made from liquid cashew nut shells. Available in five different thicknesses and seven rich colors (chocolate, concrete grey, obsidian, straw, indigo, plum and grass), this "Best Of" is heat resistant up to 350 degrees and is so stain resistant, it is often used in chemical laboratory settings and commercial food kitchens. If you like a lustrous soapstone look or the feel of wood, PaperStone is a fabulous, eco-conscious choice." [modern kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by dc metro architect Brennan + Company Architects [modern kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by dc metro architect Brennan + Company Architects