Trixylarue, Since you already have them there is no harm in using the 2-foot fixtures end-to-end. They probably aren't quite as good as a single 4-foot bulb because for some reason the ends of the bulbs don't emit quite as much light as the main body of the bulb, so the two extra ends may reduce your light output a bit. Some self-contained 2-foot bulbs like those sold in Wal-Mart seem rather dim as compared to most standard T8 or T12 bulbs, but that shouldn't be too surprising considering their low cost. However, quality 2-foot fixtures and bulbs can be quite bright. And African Violets don't require super bright lighting anyway. MM

Kraftmaid has more selection in door styles, woods, and colors. Their new antiqued and burnished options greatly expand something that was already big to begin with. Their finishes are good, not great quality and are a solid value for the money. They also have great options in their spec book. It's nice and big, which translates into lots of options for a space so it's easier to design something that really works for an awkward space. They also have a ton of internal organizer like you can only dream of! Their customer service is responsive, and in the world of cabinet lines, timely. That translates as replacement parts usually only taking 10 days if there is only one or two needed. Their shipping is pretty good, so it's only the occasional replacement part that is needed for shipping damage. Their quality control is decent, but, and here's the biggie, they are only a mid grade cabinet line, not a top quality line. Don't expect top of the line materials and finishes and you'll be fine. The wood will have heartwood and sap wood, and natural pin holes and mineral streaks. If you want cabinets that are "perfect", you'll have to pay at least double for "perfect". If you don't mind cabinets that show that they are made of real wood, with all of it's imperfections, then you'll be OK with Kraftmaid. Masterbrand cabinets, aka Thomasville, has much the same positives and negatives as above with a few other particulars. They use a much thicker cabinet back panel that is structural, so when installing, you can put the screw anywhere you can reach, not just in the "hanging rail" that most other cabinets, including Kraftmaid, have. Their stained wood cabinet finishes, in my opinion, are a bit higher grade than Kraftmaid. They are richer and more "furniture quality". I really like their new "Heirloom Black" and "Sage Paint" finishes, and their "Brierwood Cherry" is probably my favorite cherry stain of all of the cherry cabinets that I've seen from mid price manufacturers. It's not too dark, and not too light, not too red, and not too brown. Their production line is also a bit quicker than Kraftmaid, but that's really an insignificant detail in the world of "hurry up and wait" remodeling.

graywings, thank you...the Penneys site has 1" and 2" wood blinds, and also bamboo. I haven't seen 2.5". Can you explain how these go with the plantationshutters? Maybe someday we could consider replacing the blinds with shutters, a little at a time. gsciencechick...thanks! I'm trying to decide between the basswood blinds and they also have bamboo. I am tending toward the thicker blinds. I wonder what the bamboo would be like though...do you have any curtains or valances in addition to your 1" basswood blinds? We would want to keep everything simple but downstairs I think maybe having a simple drape over the blinds might be a nice look, with a little more texture in the room. Would love to hear more thoughts! Amy

williamsem: thanks for the info. Your point about installation is well taken. I am working with a reputable kitchen design company that has a dedicated crew to do installation, including a granite fabricator. I've seen the work in their showroom (gorgeous!). Is that sufficient, or should I ask to see a granite install in a client's home? colorfast: interesting article about the dye in granite. We are getting a black granite (Volga Blue). Should I test the slabs as directed in the article? Good tips about what to look for in installers; I'll ask our KD about how their fabricator works. Still not sure about the different granite yards. The largest one in the area (60+ mile radius) has a large selection, though the slabs didn't seem to match well. Some of the sales people didn't seem terribly knowledgable. A yard that seemed more knowledgable, and had shops in several states, didn't have a great selection for us. The one that had the most beautiful granite (matched slabs, beautiful finish) had a sales person who wasn't terribly forthcoming for our questions (except to say that the granite was better quality because it was finished in Italy, but then he was Italian). How do you know whether it's a good yard? We are also relying on our KDs suggestions.