Ha - I did the same thing as you when I first set up my plant shelving: lighting alternating shelves. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling the same way you do (1) the shelves in between don't get enough light (2) it discourages the use of drainage trays (which are so much nicer to use than individual saucers). The way mine is set up is I have big compact fluorescent bulbs in hoods, on top of the shelves, and I install individual rod light fixtures over each lower shelf. (I use the Sunblaster 4' fixtures with reflectors.) I put two bulbs on high light shelves and one bulb on the others, but I find that most Hoyas bloom just fine with a single T5 6500K bulb. That said, most of my plants are young, so it's too soon to tell whether those that haven't bloomed are not blooming b/c they're not ready, or b/c some species are not getting their desired light level. I haven't noticed any difference between the 2 light shelves and 1 light shelves in performance, but I'm considering bringing more fixtures in just to test. I have a light meter, but I don't trust it either⦠I have a 4 T5 bulb Coralife fixture that is probably only 8-9" deep, but it uses these weird 65W 'Square Pin Quad Compact Fluorescent' bulbs. I don't use it for Hoyas - it's from my aquarium days. I do use one of my Coralife fixtures for a Hoya tank, but I find a single 65W bulb is all that is needed, otherwise the plants roast.

Lindybarts~ This is only the 2nd photo I've seen of your home (the other was your gorgeous master bath/travertine.... oh, and it seems you were the one with the huge beautiful island that at first you thought was too dark... was that you?). Oh my word, girlfriend, this is just beautiful! I love your fireplace, and your cool beams. Your built ins are just lovely. Your house is beautiful. Have you linked us to more photos in an album somewhere? I want to see more! ;o) Sorry Meagan, didn't mean to hijack your thread. I wish I had photos for you..... but mine is just a distant dream. I'm not sure when we'll get to the built-ins stage.... it will be a while.

Annette, you need a *bigger* armoire! lol Mine has 3 doors. The two on the left open and that's where I have the tv. I had someone add the shelves. One holds a 40" tv the other holds books. The door on the right has drawers where I keep a lot of decorating stuff. It's a French Anitque, and the type with three doors are not as easy to find as two door. It was probably less expensive at the antique store rhan a new cabinet would have been. Consignment/antique stores, an estate sale, or an auction are your best bets. Ikea shelves will break down from the weight of the books after a period of time. That's been DD 's experience. You need solid wood.

If you like the kitchen cabinet color, you could pull that across the room to the new built-in. Since gray seems to be on the way out, you might start considering how you can change the wall color down the road.