My bottle of Tide HE liquid says to fill to line 2 for medium loads. This 2.95 liter bottle will wash 52 loads if filled to line 2. I'm just saying that if Tide was consciously telling you to use double what is really required, they would be much better off telling you to fill to line 1 and then labeling the bottle as able to wash 104 loads. That looks much better on the shelf sitting next to its competitors that only wash half as many loads per bottle. 2.95 liters = 200 tablespoons 200 tablespoons / 52 loads = ~4.0 tbsp/load If I cut that dosage in half, to 2 tbsp, that is not enough to get clothes clean in my 4.0 cuft machine in soft water. Even Persil Megaperls recommends just over 4 tbsp (65 ml) for a medium sized, normally soiled load in soft water. Tide's recommendations are pretty much in line with what's expected - not more, not less. I use the recommended amount of detergent (Tide, Persil, Vaska, etc) but reduce by 50% if washing towels. Towels generate a lot of suds when spun out, and reducing dosage for towels does not negatively impact cleaning since they aren't that dirty to begin with. For 80% of my laundry, however, I follow the dosage instructions on the package without any problems. There is great debate on how much is enough, and certainly water chemistry and load size has a lot to do with this. However, from what I've read, it seems that using too little detergent leads to more problems than if using too much.

TR, milk paint has always captured my interest,so I will look at that. BP: Gosh, at first I thought those were your kitchens, then realized. Nice pics and thought provoking. GD, that is really the issue here, how much yellow would be too much or would it matter, being that high up on the ceiling. PW: love your beadboard island. Oh my gosh, I can see why this forum is addicting and now the choices. Better made with lots of opinions though. Say, most of y'all don't use your real name on this forum yet it doesn't seem "stalker prone", lol. Well, too late now. Interesting though. Thanks, will keep thinking and hoping that others will chime in. Of course, the floor color will make a difference too. Ellie

My space is 11 x 10 Main part is 8 x 10) Over the main part I have 4, 5" cans, and a fifth over the entranceway to help light the stairway next to it. With the undercab lights that is plenty for my space. I added 2 pendants over the peninsula but have very low light in them. What about a spot over the island? My neighbor has the same kitchen - she has 4, 6" cans and it's fine, but she also has pendant lights.

Naw, just struggling over finding a paint color for my house. Read a funny post from a blogger in reference to the question "have you ever house stalked before" a reader said "yes, and I think beside everyone's name and address in the phone book should be the make and paint number of their house color." To funny!