It wouldn't take long to just sand lightly with a medium to fine grit sandpaper. You are not trying to take the old paint off, just to make it less smooth (give it some tooth is what they say) so it will accept the new paint. I love the new fangled sanding "sponges", they make it very easy, you might want to try one. I would guess 3 minutes per leg more or less depending on how fancy the spindles are. Then wipe them off with a slightly damp cloth so no dust is left behind, let dry then paint. If you try to skip the sanding the new paint will probably rub off easily. In painting preparation is the most important step! There shouldn't be a need to prime in my opinion as long as you sand. Using your leftover hall and kitchen paint sounds like a great idea and it will tie your table into the rest of your decorating scheme. Whole project should take about an hour and a half assuming some fancy painting with mixed color on the spindles. Good luck kathy

Hi, Angelsmama. I, too, downsized from a large rose garden when I moved a few years ago. I believe I've begun to appreciate the roses that I do still grow even more than I did the many I used to grow. My roses and I are more intimate. Diminutive choices: there are lots that grow well in pots. (That sounds a little Dr. Seussish, doesn't it?) I grew up in Dallas, TX, and found/find these to be good bets: Frances Dubreuil, Marie Pavie, Ducher, Hermosa, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Clotilde Soupert, Martha Gonzales, and Baby Faurax. Frances (which you mentioned as a first choice), Marie P, Souvenir, and Clotilde are fragrant. Please do post pics of your pot pets! -Carol

Hello. Yes with all the different woods none will be exact in colour by any means. But the darker the colour the closer it will be as there is more room to vary and get away with it. I guess it all depends on what colour of stain you consider to be dark in colour. I would do samples with each different type of wood you have with the selected stain. Then at least you know what it looks like. What maybe be of concern (or at least in my findings and strictly my opinion here) is that with all the varying wood types and colours they have can to me bring too many colours into play which i sometimes find they fight with each other instead of blending and flowing in a space. But rather, all the different colours can make a space have no flow, sequence, or symmetry. Size and space of coarse play a part in all this and the extend of the varying colours as well as several other factors but I am sure you get the just of it. Another option you can do is match the lighter looking stains appearance on the select wood to the darkest looking one. Yes it will require purchasing several small quantity containers of maybe 2-4 different colours (these could be stains, dyes, or colourants that are comparable with the stain). Also, you could stain all the trim one colour and then "shade" the lighter coloured pieces. For that you will need an help or a cup gun and compressor. This option would definitely be achievable if you have experience with this sort of application technique. The only downfall to "shading" in my opinion is you loose grain the more you shade but your woods you are using don't really have a lot of grain. They to me have more colour contract in the pieces rather than grain. But the best piece of advice no matter what you decide for colour and application is to do samples until you are pleased with what the wood will look like with the other types. Lastly, there is no real right or wrong. People's personal dwellings and buildings are supposed to be their own, have their own taste, likes, personality to it, and to make them feel comfortable, warm, at ease, and relaxed. And whatever colours, designs, or touches the owners add, take away, or create in their space is what makes it their own place to call home. Have fun with it. Embrace making it your own. It's all yours to enjoy and best of luck with it all.

Priced Trustile and I believe they were around $900 each for the slab, not including shipping. Same with Luxe and Rustica Hardware. We need prehung. With 10 doors to replace this is cost prohibitive with the overall scope of the project and budget. Here is a picture of the materials we are using. Woodmode Modern cabinets, lowers are a textured macassar and uppers a high gloss. Probably use a matte gold hardware. Flooring is 24x48 concrete look tile with a lighter version for backsplash. Will be replacing the existing wood trim (shown) for baseboards and doors. Replacing a loft wall and staircase railing with glass and steel. This color matches the beams we are keeping in the house. The outside of the house is a rough cedar. We are going for a mountain modern look. About the only doors I have found that might work in the budget are by Jen Weld or Masonite and you can get those solid core stainable flush in a Lauan, red oak or birch veneer. Of course you can specify the grain cut or direction. I was leaning towards red oak because I thought it would be easier to stain and match the smooth or rough cedar we use as the trim. Powder room will be a dark laminate cabinet, black matte sink, black granite, same floor and use it up the shower wall. Some sort of black matte tile behind the vanity mirror. I would love a higher grade laminate door.