I've done this, but since I started five years ago only a few of my crosses have flowered. Maybe I can help you on the way, just post any qustions you have here, and I'll try to answer :-) Hybridizing is fun, but with peonies, unlike most perennials, it takes around 6 years before you see the results, so you need lots of patience. You probably already know the basics, but this page (about Clematis-hybridizing) may be helpful anyway: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bcollingwood/hybrid.htm Make sure you keep records of all the crosses you attempt. Make a breeding plan, and build a collection of cultivars (and species) too use when hybridizing. The breeding plan contain your goals, what you want your peony-hybrids to look like. Here are some desirable qualities you might want to include in your breeding plan: -Strong stems (many peonies flop in bad weather) -Good, long-lasting floral display, upfacing or outfacing flowers, several flowers on each stem. -Disease resistance -Heat, drought or wet-tolerance -Fragrance -Unusual colors/picoteeing/veining/freckling Also decide what kind of flowers you want, if you want them single or double etc. Your collection of already named cultivars and species should reflect your breeding goals, and it should contain a wide variety of different peonies. (By different I mean in structre of flower, colors, heights etc., not only in name.) Since there already are lots and lots of great cultivars, it would be better if you choose to hybridize towards something different. Most of the common cultivars on the market today were breed for the cut-flower industry, thus they are quite tall with a single flower on each stem. Most also have double flowers in pink or white shades. Try hybridizing for veining (like in Paeonia X chamaeleon), unusual colors (black/coral/yellow), low height, dissected foliage (use anomala/tenuifolia etc.), coloured foliage (glaucous like mlokosewitschii or dark red like some of the lactiflora-cvs.) www.paeo.de and www.helpmefind.com/peony/ are great pages when hybridizing, both include lineage of the cultivars, and can be very helpful when choosing parent plants.

I agree with debark. Why reinvent the whee? See what others with the same style home have done. I know you say you are moving in five-seven years. I think that is a nice amount of time to redo your kitchen and still be able to enjoy it. Who knows, you might have to stay longer? Start researching by first going to big box stores or Ikea, just for ideas on pricing only. Go to a few local kitchen companies and get ideas from them. Most have low, middle and high end ideas. If you want higher end cabinetry, then don't get all the extras that add to the price. If you want all the special pullouts and drawers, then you can go with a lower end cabinet. Lots of options. Counter tops can be low end and high end too. Again you have plenty of options, you just have to fit them into your budget.

On a budget I would lighten up this kitchen with lighter counter and backsplash - as long as you don't get the integrated 4" splash as part of the countertop. If you do that, just paint the backsplash area. The wood cabinets have movement due to the grain so keep the backsplash simple or the look will be too busy. Either paint the wall over a 4" splash, or subway tile or beadboard. Beadboard is the one thing that could go above a 4" splash and not look bad. Bead board and subway tile have both been around a long time, so won't look out of place with the older cabinets. I would also put in a hood for the stove and put a small countertop microwave over in the corner area - get it out of the stovetop area and it will open up your cooking space a bit. For paint colors, I would go with cream, light creamy beige or sage green. Those colors look well with warm wood tones. If you want to play up the retro aspect of your kitchen, here is a fun site that might give you some ideas: https://retrorenovation.com/

Agree that the lighting is of prime importance to change out. Accessories can add all the Tuscan influence you want. I would pull out the peninsula and replace it with a Tuscan work table. Your cabinets could stay, but I would add matching crown to all of them and remove that top on the one over the range. Evidently it may cover a vent system, but it looks like you're using a micro with recirculating vent. A warm Tuscan wall paint would be a major change. Work table with storage Accessories Beams that don't cover the entire ceiling might work, plus a Tuscan pendant or two More of a Tuscan farmhouse, white appliances and cabinets; more Tuscan accessories Unified crown molding helps This one is defined as "modern Tuscan" but might be a bit plain for you.