Thanks Penny, it's my pleasure. I just wanted to show how I treat these to give others some bravery and insight. I'm back with an update! This is how I do close grouping, angle the pot and carefully spoon in soil as you place the plants. It takes some practice to maintain an even soil level. I use this same process to arrange rows of seedlings in smaller pots. Here's my soil. Here they are all planted and after a heavy misting. and here they are after top-dressing Thanks! I hope this was helpful to some.

I'd suggest making a couple of really large cardboard cutouts then trying a variety of different colors. Get sample paints and just try things out to see how they feel. Make a list of colors to try, divided into 'bold', 'neutral', etc., then eliminate whole categories when you know more. The first thought that popped into my head when I saw your kitchen was 'tangerine!' then 'turquoise' -- you have the bones for it. You might also try pink for a 'neo-retro' vibe. Some other thoughts that came to me were a high-gloss wood veneer - something dramatic like a wenge or tigerwood. That would be very unexpected with your other surfaces. I've also seen some very textured large-format ceramic tiles that could be fabulous. Is glass out altogether? Because if it's not, what about installing it with those plain metal clips like they use for mirrors, and leaving a way to change out what's behind the glass? Then use wrapping paper, artwork, wall paint, blue prints, sketches - whatever strikes your fancy and change it out every few months?

I'm in the same boat, right down to past mastery of minor things like switches! I just spent some time at a local lighting place this week too. Basically I was told a 6 inch light covers about 6 feet, a 4 inch would cover 4 feet. With the space in our kitchen and where our sink light and hood lights are, I think we might go with 4 inch LEDs. The 6 inch ones end up close to those other light sources and not where needed, or I'd be using an extra one with close spacing and risk cooking in a stadium! I'd suggest trying one on either side of the sink, center one on that first lower and base your spacing on that with a third one down near the range. Then one on either side of the fridge. They would be 24-36 inches from the wall. And maybe a ceiling fixture or fan/light in the middle. See how that looks. It's often easier to revise once you have something to look at. I'm still going in circles with the UC lights. I have a quote from environmental lights online for their dimmable bars with drivers in the light bars (max light?). I need to call and have them walk me through it as there is no diagram, just a list. It is a little less than the local store options.

LOL When I let Loki out on Sunday afternoon he fell on the ice too, flat on his stomach. I don't know who was more shocked me or the dog. LOL He wouldn't come back in and stayed on the grass out back and waited until he saw me open the door before he would attempt to cross the ice covered patio. My brother decided we were going to make our annual trek to Kingsville to Lakeshore Park to look at the lights. I could barely get off my porch and I was hooting and hollering when I started to lose control. I don't know why he couldn't have waited to go another day but I was unsure about him driving on the slippery roads. Actually the roads in the county weren't bad but the city roads were slippery. I couldn't believe the bozos on Highway 3 who decided to pass more than 3 cars at a time with oncoming traffic in sight when it was so icey out. They are putting everyone else in jeopardy. Our annual thing is we stop for coffee at Timmy's, eat candy canes in the car, he tells us to close our eyes when he drives by the park, get out (had to walk on the grass because the sidewalks were too icey) find Chip and Mrs Pots and as soon as we find them we leave the park then go eat at McD's. All that driving on a slippery road for 5 minutes in the park. LOLOL He said that it is our tradition but he wants to write the organizers a letter and have them separate Mrs Pots and Chip next year so they are harder to find or don't put them in the same spot every year. LOL I got home and Ken was outside cleaning off his truck. I forgot about the ice and walked across my neighbour's lawn until I stepped onto her flagstone along the driveway then I skated across. LOL I thought for sure I was going to go down but I guess I know how to skate too. LOL Dances, You and your DD are invited to stop by my house any time during the holidays for some Christmas cheer. Anne