When we were looking, we felt the Meile, Wolf and new Dacor models were the top tier. I don't know if the other two offer a rotisserie. We use one on the grill outdoors and can grill year round, so that wasn't a feature we were looking for. I'll give the nod to the Bosch DW, although you might want to check pricing on the Thermador models (made by Bosch) if you plan to use cabinet panels on them. I found the Thermador panel-ready models were less than the Bosch, but the stainless doors were less in Bosch. Quiet, clean well, and dry as well as any DW I've had (some folks think they don't dry plastic well) Micro -- Sharp makes many of the micros out their both with their name on them and with others. I don't think you can go wrong with Sharp, and you won't be paying for someone elses name on it. We did the drawer undercounter -- the only solution for micro placement that didn't cause problems in our layout. It works very well and has some nice features I didn't really pay attention to before we got it (sensor reheat and keep warm among others). Fridge -- if you are looking at Subzero, I would also look at the Thermador Freedom series. I have 2 of the colums and LOVE them. Range -- I have a range top and separate ovens, so my experiences may be a bit different. I have Wolf and am quite happy. Some folks seem to be having some issues with certain range models, so I'd look into that further. I hear a lot both ways about Viking, but all the others are pretty solid performers. You will hear that some love Thermador but others can't get past the cycling simmer. Think about how much you would actually use an extra low simmer function -- I have used mine no more than I could count on one hand in a year. The other one you will hear about here is Bluestar -- you may or may not find a distributor in your area. Among those brands, I would look for the look, feel and features that fit you best and feel good about your choice. Hood, I also looked at Independent, but they had along lead time then and got ruled out. I went into a dealer to look at VAH after reading comments about the difficulty cleaning one. Didn't seem like an issue to me, but the salesman I talked to recommneded Best by Broan over VAH after being able to do side by side comparissons (in a lab -- not the store -- the buyer never sees that). I've been happy with it (went with an external blower but didn't have room for a silencer) and DH greatly prefers the look of baffles over the open style of the VAH. I think I do too. It would be easier to know how big an issue that would be if any of the VAH dealers actually had one installed in a realisting setting and height. We had another issue over what kind of lighting and controls were on each model -- many things to consider. Good luck with the whole process. Enjoy your new home.

Garden, I love that rug. As Les has said, I could understand the appeal since it is so much like the wallpaper that you like. But, IMHO it competes with the wallpaper and neither come out a winner as a result. Re: the wallpaper - I think you have to decide - wallpaper or rug. I would pick the rug myself and as others have suggested, a creamy vanilla about the rail would look great. Wallpaper doesn't have to be a real chore to remove. Read the suggestions about wallpaper removel and various tools, like the paper scorer or the products like Dif that will be the job so much easier. If there were layers upon layers that would be another story. Don't worry about the "big open spaces". The rooms I like are ever evolving, layers placed over time. To me when rooms are "complete" it is time to start removing stuff and finding things I like better. The joy of the hunt begins again. The warm weather is coming so the tag sales will be starting, there are always the thrift stores, many cheap deals under $5 to fill those spaces as you go along. Think what fun! This being said, there have been numerous threads about man vs decorating style. Unless your guy sits and watches HGTV with you, and makes comments like "those drapes are too heavy for that room" then just go ahead and do it. He'll learn to live with it. IMHO as always.

Good point Lavender. Now that you point that out, as a guest, I'd feel more encouraged to help myself to the closet if it wasn't full of personal belongings. To you, which one is the bigger bathroom ?? I think they are all aprox the same size and just configured differently. I remember when you were working on your big working pantry years ago. I'd love to see what your house wound up looking like. I assume it's been posted, if so, can you share your link? Red, you just gave me an in between idea. I could take up less room and have a closet with less depth that has pegs in it and space for some other items guest may want (a wrap to sit outside, or some slippers if their shoes happen to be muddy ---hey, I can hope for no drought, right?) Awww, thanks for the compliment on my plans. Scottie, thanks! I will definitely post the after pictures. They are breaking ground tomorrow morning so it will be a while. Soon we will be tackling my kitchen storage, so stay tuned for more postings :) If we do a bench, I think I like your idea of the trunk so we could store some more things So far we have one vote for the second to the last photo ...

10 x 14 as all legs should be on the rug, and that size will just make it.