I've never grown these. Without your climate zone input may be meaningless. What does well in one area may sulk in another. However I have read very good reports on "Alpenview". This is what an experienced iris grower has to say. I linked to her photo since her images are quite accurate. [This image was added by Margiempv on Jan 28, 2007 10:00 PM "Another view of ALPENVIEW. Great branching, lovely form, good growth and increases. "] The same hybridizer (Keppel) also introduced "Crowned Heads" about 6 years before "Alpenview". I was awestruck by "Crowned Heads". Totally gorgeous deep color in the standards and wonderful contrast. But I have heard it does not perform well in all parts of the country. The other 2 I've not read about. Dave's Garden may have photos of them as well. Here is a link that might be useful: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/139626/

How much heat you need depends on your location. You've already beefed up the important part: the insulation. I'm assuming that you put the lions share of the insulation overhead, as that is where it does the most good. You might also install those pink foam sheets internally against the walls and ceiling. They won't get wet and soggy from condensation like fiberglass or cellulose and will provide better R value. The hottest bulbs that you can burn are halogen. So look for some full voltage halogen lights that you can put in there if you are in a really cold climate. Otherwise plain old incandescent will do, if you can still find them.

Ha ha, nothin' like being paged! Almost makes me feel popular :-) I'm sorry I missed your request earlier. My mantel is from Brees Mantels out of Greenville SC. I do like it a lot- everyone who comes over almost always comments on it, but I don't like the disparity with the stone on the other side- so that's why I would do something different. It has presence at over 6' tall. I would think there are local mantel people who do the same thing where you are, most likely.

jellytoast: I did read about that; is there any way at all to eliminate that gap? I can't change the location of the outlets now. Nan57 and ilene-84: I like the beveled look more and more as I keep comparing it to my flat sample, so it's nice to hear from both of you that you love this tile! firsthouse_mp: My thoughts, exactly! Do white beveled tiles differ a great deal in both the nature of the gloss and the beveling, in different stores? I've noticed in pictures online, that some tiles look more 'classy' than others, if that makes any sense :-).