Rexem, Thanks for posting your pictures. It's so great to see how you used the color in your space. I'm definitely getting more ideas... I went to see my range this week. It's in overall good condition and should be usable after a good cleaning. I even get the bonus of double kettles for the thermowell and possibly the thermo eye. There were some extra burner parts in a box, I think that's what it is. I've ordered up re-prints of the manuals, so this should shed some light on this. I'm going to need to find the 2nd hand from the left, and the handle on the service cabinet. I'm heading on vacation today, so I couldn't bring her home, but when we get back we're picking her up. Our vacation is taking us back home, to CA. I know there are several antique stove places there, so I'm trying to see if I can make a jaunt to one of them. Thanks for the help on the colors. I'm still on the fence with colors and the "decor". I'm glad that you found a color that matches. Even if I don't use that paint, I can use the color swatch when coordinating other elements. I was on the fence about the range hood. I was seriously considering the slightly smaller Ventahood classic as the size would have been better suited to my space, but in the end I opted for a SS hood from Overstock. Price was my single motivating factor. It was less than half the price of the classic in white, not even counting the upcharge for the custom paint. I've spoken to a place locally and am going to see if I can have my hood powder coated to match. If not, I'll probably live with it for a while and see about upgrading down the road. I envy your pantry. I really love your herb and spice bottles. Where did you find those? BeckySharp, Thanks for the heads up on the Chirp china. Very cute. I'll definitley consider it if I decide to go with the bird fabric. Kathe

Thanks all. Val, I was wondering why you sold your drop leaf table? Part of the reason for my post is wondering what the down side of it could be. I did put all three leaves in and the table still seemed solid, although there would have to be some "give" when you add so much to the surface. Probably too much analysis here, but I wonder why they don't make these tables anymore? When you expand them fully, do you give up a lot of stability? Oh, and the leaves were just placed under the table temporarily. They come in a box, and would be stored elsewhere. After reading my own post over again, I guess it sounds obvious that the Stickley table has a lot going for it. Just the concept; "Stickley vs. PB" is really a bit of a no brainer. The biggest reason to keep the PB table (besides cost) would be the solid, sturdy feel that it has. It also has a nice golden pine finish that is kind of a nice contrast with all the cherry I have in the kitchen already. I've got another photo that shows the whole kitchen a little better: The PB table has a chunkier, slightly rustic look that I actually like especially with a lot of the SW art and decor I have. The Stickley looks more refined. Bottom line is, it's got a name going for it, it's solid cherry, more of a "one of a kind" piece, and it wins the versatility award for sure. As far as $$$ goes, net loss for me after selling the PB table would be $850-1000 depending on how lucky I get on CL. For that, I would gain the aforementioned features of the Stickley table plus four additional chairs. I don't really need the chairs as I have 7 of the Windsors already, but they are nice and solid, and again very versatile. So, it's not like a CL find that you have to snap up before someone else does. It's definitely an investment that I need to think through, and I do appreciate your help. Does it still sound like a no-brainer?? Thanks

a few ideas... if you have a crate with dividers stick colorful napkins in a pattern or randomly in each divider. It could be a way of setting your table by having the guests pluck a napkin from the crate. You could do the same thing with candles. You could serve dessert and have the crate be the serving tray. For example, bring out a crate of stemmed glasses with chocolate mousse or sherbet in them. You might also be able to find plants with colorful leaves that come in those tiny plastic containers at the nursery and decorate in fall colors. Or for children, fill each divider to the rim in a different colorful candy. You could use everything from red hots to M&M's to candy corn to gummi bears. It would bring in a lot of color and allow for happy grazing as people walked by it. I didn't say it was a healthy idea, just a colorful one!

I have to agree that a year is too long to expect them to take something back. It's a risk you take when you start buying things before your plans are in place. Any profit from that sale has long since been used to pay salaries and other expenses. Plus, if there have been any tweaks in the pattern since in the last year or so, that set may not be an exact match for what is out there now and you'd be asking them to eat that. And quite frankly, a lot of folks aren't honest with stores and companies and would save the box and return a set they'd be using. The longer the time that has passed, the greater the risk to the company and most folks know that the majority of companies honor returns for 30 days with most of the remainder being 60 days -- a few go to 90. I also have to agree that the customers a business would be most wiling to lose are those who expect exceptions or who create problems. Posting an ad to sell the set on CL (good idea about not having to ship), the local grocery store bulletin board, local newspaper or even ebay won't take you that much time. You probably spent longer talking to the company and posting here. Get what you can for them and look for a good deal on the new set.