I guess this thread gave me a craving for homemade fudge. Made a batch this afternoon. Deb, I hope you are feeling better. If you lived closer I'd bring you some fudge. The ingredients - white sugar, brown sugar, butter, a little white corn syrup instead of maple syrup, a cup of heavy cream and a pinch of salt. After the mixture came to a boil, it took exactly 12 minutes to reach the softball stage. No where near an hour. I didn't make note of the time it took for the mixture to reach boil stage, but it was definitely less than 10 minutes. Probably closer to seven over medium heat. If you don't like beating fudge, you can get the same results by letting the mixture cool for 10 minutes. Reduces the beating/stirring time substantially. Add vanilla (if you are adding dark or white chocolate, do it now) and beat until the mixture starts to dull. Add nuts if using and pour immediately into a butter dish. Let cool.

Another vote for the desk. It will be a great addition to your salon and the kidney shape is perfect to work with customers. You could probably even take this as a write off once you start up your own business so you may want to ask for a receipt. As others have said, a single chair is much easier to come by. Before finalizing what to do with that corner, first get in the buffet and make sure it works in that space, then finish the decor for that with the mirror and lamps. Only then decide what to do with that other corner. You are a lot like me and go in several different directions at once. Advice to me about 6 months ago was to slow down, take it piece by piece. Well decorated spaces take years to evolve..... If you are looking for several items on a tight budget, try checking out estate sales.

marti8a, I'm not a granite fan either, and I'll say it out loud. :-) There are factors other than durability which bother some people, factors which might also be true for you. I had it in my previous kitchen and found it too loud and clanky. It's way too cold on winter mornings before the heat kicks in (I live in Maine). Also, mine was polished and, aesthetically, I dislike that kind of coffee-table surface in a working kitchen. And speaking to what might have been your real worry about tipping that little glass bottle, I was indeed forever breaking water glasses on the sink cutout overhang or by just dropping them. So folks needn't obsess on the friend/food coloring story; there are many quite legitimate reasons someone might not choose stone beside the staining issue. :-) That said: Marti, what do you like best of the surfaces you've seen/experienced? If you love metal but think stainless is too modern for your vision, have you considered pewter, zinc or copper? Any of these can be very cottage-vintagey. (Full disclosure for this bias: I have copper countertops.) And stainless really IS authentic for the early 20th century, in case that's a worry. Best of luck!

Actually, oddly enough it was probably good that 911 was called... sounds like he was out of control at the sub shop... just that he didn't realize "he" was the problem. Sounds like he needs some medication and some education... probably in that order.