Hi Susan, For me, quilt patterns are kind of like recipes. I may use them for ideas but rarely follow them exactly. I don't buy patterns, but I do look at quilts on-line, in magazines and at shows to get ideas. I have graph paper and colored pencils sitting by my favorite chair in the family room and have dozens of quilts sketched out; more than I'll ever be able to make! I find it pretty easy to look at a block and know how to cut it out and put it together; if that's not something you are comfortable with, then using patterns is great. This is supposed to be fun, so do whatever feels good to you! I've really enjoyed the monthly lotto blocks and the birthday blocks because they force me to try some things I might not have tried on my own. Like others have mentioned here, I love using unbleached muslin as the background in some quilt blocks. It has that farmhouse look that seems so old-timey and inviting. However, I've make a birthday block recently with a white-on-white background and loved it so now I'll have to try that too! LOL, it never ends! I don't belong to the local guild although I keep thinking about going. I guess this website is my guild. Kate

IMO you run the rod across the front of all thoe windows and hang drapes that will then clear the ledge too. Honestly if you rarely close the blinds why not fo nice roman shades for each window

It looks like you have a single can light, and a skylight? is there any properly situated task lighting for the counters? Installing retrofit LED disc or wafer lights (I would choose 3000 - 3500k) into a ceiling is an easy job, unless there is ductwork in the way. I would want discs spaced about 48-50 inches apart center-center (depends on the brand/size of the lights you buy) with the light centered over the edge of the counter. I would want them along the edges of all of the work surfaces, unless you have good lighting that doesn't show in the photo - but definitely over the bar. I agree with your contractor - no waterfall. Do you mean raise the base cabs or the uppers? I am assuming the uppers. Why are you thinking of doing so - are they too low to the countertops, which is a good reason? Are your cabinets site built, which would make moving them tricky (especially the one around that duct)? Also consider that you will likely have to do some wall repair, even if you plan to tile over the newly-exposed wall. Will raising them put the top shelves out of reach? Tile choice - your cabinets are a busy wood, so just be careful to keep any pattern in the tile subdued and minimal.

In CR's testing, the 30" Wolf GR304 did not perform well so if you're considering the 36" Wolf GR366 and it is similar you might want to consider something else. The 30" Monogram ZGP304NTSS was the best of the tested "pro-style" gas ranges so you might want to consider the 36" Monogram ZGP366NTSS or Cafe CGY366P2TS1. GE, Profile, Cafe, and Monogram are all GE Appliance brands. CR also tested single and double-wall ovens ($10/month digital). At 900 watts, the Wolf 30" M Series Professional Drop-Down Door Microwave Oven has less power than most other 30" built-in microwave ovens.