We had an old toaster that had an electric grill in the middle with a couple of doors, one on each side, which only toasted one side of bread at a time and we had to open the doors to turn the slices over to the other side. If you opened the door just right, sometimes the slice would turn over itself and one didn't need to touch it. Really easy to burn the toast ... on one side or the other. Automatic is better! ole joyful

While I really want marble for our kitchen, we have 2 small sons and I am worried they will mess it up. We have wavered back and forth whether to go for it, but dh saw a Corian counter, Rain Cloud, in IKEA the other day and fell in love. I would normally never pay more for a manmade product, but IKEA has a 40% off counters special this month if you buy your kitchen there, so that makes it also more affordable. Since I have made virtually every other choice (I ask for his input, but his usual response is "I don't care", which translates to "whatever makes you happy" but also "if there is a screw-up, it is not mine", not to mention "you choose because I don't want to do the legwork"), I think I will "give" him this one, lol. It has a softer/warmer feel than stone and makes less noise if you clink against it. I am not 100% convinced, but am getting close. I may have to contact the PA yard about the quartzite and get a price, because that is seriously pretty too..... We can do our full kitchen with the Corian, including upcharges and customizations, installed, for less than $2k. That is going to be hard to beat. Our kitchen is not small, btw... I also forgot that if I apply for an IKEA credit card when buying, I'll get an additional 10% off and have 0% financing for 24 months. Corian Rain Cloud:

Hi oldbat2be, don't know if this is what you were thinking of...Owlface's window? Here's the tile discussion thread in which window tiling options were discussed and some other photos posted. She also had a different window reveal thread. She didn't tile the 'ceiling'.

I've been gone from MA for 15 years, but Boxford is really just a commuter town...not much there at that time. Perhaps has changed. Love the first house for the fact that it has the look/feel of an older home (despite decor) but can live like we currently live. ETA: I am searching for a small home in RI for a second home and keep running into this issue so it is top of mind for me. The housing stock is so much older there than here in NC. Charming, but requiring a lot of thought for livability.