Mike, Unfortunately I have to start over with my ice cream banana because i left it out in the cold. I'm currently moving and might try with a metal halide indoors. While we're on the subject of tropicals though I have a miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) in Al's 5-1-1 by a window with a cfl which is currently flushing yet again. It initally dropped all its leaves back in march but its come all the way back. Hopefully I'll get some fruit from it soon. I also have a second one of these trees- I put it in the 5-1-1 but with Sphagnum instead of peat. It dropped all its leaves and has done nothing at all for the past 3 months. The moss is very slow to dry but I hear these love water so I don't know whats wrong with this one. Maybe it needs humidity indoors to get it kick started. If anyone would know, i'd love to hear. I'm anxious to try growing some citrus this summer. -Greg

Sailorgirl 2 things tipped me - for starters the look is just pure West Elm, but you mentioned Nate and he seems to use WE as a go-to source for small pieces like that. Glad I could help! Don't forget to check online for coupons - you should at least be able to get free shipping. Red, what can I say - when I'm hot, I'm HOT!

I agree about possibly locating a dining room table used because if you can find a style you like, the quality can be better than what you might otherwise get new and the price will be good because there is so much used furniture flooding the market. I wouldn't say categorically that quality will be better because people bought furniture at all quality levels - just because it's used, doesn't mean it's Ethan Allen quality :-) That said West Elm was DELIBERATELY put into the marketplace to fill a niche for young adults decorating their first or second homes or apartments who wanted something more stylish than IKEA. It tends to be trendier with an appeal to younger tastes. A lot of younger people I know furnished with West Elm instead of IKEA.

@Sheila Rush have you picked flooring, counter tops, cabinets, backsplash yet? Those fixed elements should really help decide your wall color. Also how light or dark you want your walls, Natural Choice is the lightest with an LRV of 73, Natural Linen has an LRV of 66 and Accessible Beige is the darkest with an LRV of 58. All three of your choices are part of the yellow hue family, but AB and NL are closer to the red side of the color wheel (warmer) and NC is closer to the green side of the color wheel (cooler). Hope that helps!