Take it from me what CR says about Thermador wall ovens is absolutely true. I have purchased two 30" C series Thermador ovens and am getting ready to replace the one that was existing in the home we purchased last year. Loved the way my Thermador's cooked, baked, and broiled but had to have them repaired. It seems there is insufficient insulation between the oven and the electric control panel and when you use the self clean, over time, it causes the control panel to fail. This is a minimum $1,000 repair. I live in Dallas and there is only ONE company in this area that will service Thermador ovens because Thermador service dept is so difficult to deal with. My regular service company which is efficient and costs are fair told me they stopped servicing Thermador ovens for that reason and three others I tried said the same thing. Both my Thermador ovens needed the control panel replaced within three years of purchasing and the one in our new home could not pass inspection and had to be repaired by the seller before we moved in - yep it was the panel and it cost them $1,200. They didn't cook and it was an older oven. The space we have for the wall oven is 27" and after looking and looking and doing research and reading here and other web sites with independent reviews by actual owners we have chosen the Miele Master Chef Classic Series which has the Novatronic controls which everyone seems to love. This choice was made in part because of the rotisserie feature which we do use quite a bit along with other features we liked and which were well reviewed. It was more expensive but we went with a straight Microwave which suites our needs and we chose the Electrolux Ei27MO45TS microwave which meets all our needs and was well reviewed. Went with the Miele warming drawer because of the match and the fact that it was the same price as most other warming drawers we were considering. We stack our ovens in an unusual way which we really like with the actual wall oven first, then the microwave, and then the warming drawer. It is logical to us because the heaviest items come out of the oven and having it at the top means no stooping and it's easier on the back. We usually only use the warming drawer when we entertain and to reheat leftovers which it does so much better than a microwave. Still trying to decide on which Fridge and Freezer columns to choose but that's another forum

Jtorel wrote: "ncrealestateguy wrote - "my sellers are advised that if anyone knocks on their door or calls them, that they are to let the inquirerers know that they are being represented by an agent and to give them my business card. " Just to understand your point of view, you are expecting to collect both the listing commission and the buyers agent commission, even though you never personally had contact with these buyers prior to them visiting the house/owner? I assume then, you intend to enter dual- agency agreements with both parties? Meaning that neither side will really have an agent obligated to protect solely their interests? I don't doubt your skills, or your integrity, but doesn't that place you in a difficult, and ultimately perilous position viz-a-vis a seller or buyer who later feels you were not committed to his or her best interests?" Jtorel, The buyers are at the home because of my marketing of the property, so, yes, I would feel comfortable collecting both sides of the commission. However, after my first two dual agent deals that I completed years ago, I realized that it makes a lot of sellers (especially) and buyers uncomfortable for the reasons you state. So, now I allow my clients the choice if they want exclusive representation or not. If they do, then I refer all buyer leads on my properties out to a friend of mine who is not even in my office. He does the same for me. Win/win for all. Your question is very legit, and hence, why I offer this option. As far as ragtop's comments go: Where did I ever say to sign a BAA with an agent that you do not feel comfortable with? I have never said so. And how on Earth have you summized that I steer buyers to my listings? Have you been speaking with my past clients? Why would I want to waste my time showing homes that do not fit the buyer's criteria. Time is my number one expense. The first thing a good agent learns to do in this business is to weed out the time wasters. You have no idea how many flakes are out there that will waste your time if you let them. It took me over 3 years to truly understand this. We get paid after a deal closes, not when someone piles into my car. Yes, I might make a wrong call every now and then, and miss a deal, but I save thousands of dollars and, more importantly, I save my precious time for those folks who are ready, able and willing buyers. If you can not commit to me 100%, how do you expect me to commit to you the same? All buyers would do themselves a service if they either got a referral from a friend, or called up the BIC and asked him/her to recommend an agent that fits thier needs. Don't come on here complaining because you settled for something less. And don't come rolling into town, which you have had planned for months, call me up, and expect I drop everything on my schedule just to show you a few homes, especially if you do not even know if you are moving to this area. Looking at homes is not going to determine if you eventually move to a particular area. And it is not wise to call the listing agent in order for you to work with. They represent the seller's best interests, not yours. They are fiduciarally responsible to selling thier client's home, not to look out for your best interests. (I realize that some people are savvy enough that this is not a big deal for them, but for 95% of buyers, it not a good situation to be in) BTW Ragtop, I got two calls this week out of the blue from potential buyers that were referred to me by past clients. One of these past clients that referred me was a seller whom I failed to sell thier home! I believe this should be enough to put me back into your first classification of agents.

Thanks, Les, for all your comments and advice. I know I need to calm down. And you're right. I'm not striving for perfection; I want it comfortable and welcoming--but I also don't want to make a mistake that is avoidable. We do have ottoman overload, but we were dealing with a small room with very little wall space, and we wanted to be able to have four people camped out (and horizontal) for family TV viewing. And thus all the ottomans, which all do get used. As for tables, the striped ottoman doubles as a coffee table for drinks, etc. There is a table between the two dragonfly chair, and one next to the leather chair. I'm looking for a small one for the fireplace-end of the couch. We can't have one closer to the blue chairs because I want a walking space there. Lighting is tricky because of where the outlets are located. There is a lamp for the leather chair (not pictured), but the rest of the lighting is in the ceiling. It works so far but maybe we should re-think that, too. I had seen the firenze pillow in person but can't remember why it didn't work. I'm toying with having pillows made from the striped fabric, or the dragonfly fabric because I really would like more blue near the fireplace. Thanks for your comments Hoosier and Busy. I'm thinking the numbers and colors and will decide soon. Thanks again everyone!

Grey and Walter Ltd., Are you suggesting I post pieces I really like right here? beckysharp, (still my favorite name) I understand what you are saying. I still love these timeless pieces I have because they were not designed really but were functional in a day in which solid wood was hand hewn and actual metal smiths forged the amazing locks and hinges. I still adore my hand made rugs. Grey and Walter Thank you for your input. I agree with you absolutely. I have been living with over scale in my small 50s 1/2 story for too long. Now that I am putting in an addition, for the first time, I do not have guidance. In my area (everyone in my upscale area has either torn down houses like mine or put on additions) and the designers I trust are busier than the time frame I have. As I speak they are framing the addition and want a kitchen and master bathroom plan when I do not have a designer to guide me. I completely understand your tongue in cheek comment about the "Road to Hell." One without guidance can make costly mistakes. I am taking down all of the walls so the concept has to flow. Then I decided that if I delineated spaces with partial walls, I would have more room for my art. I wasn't thrilled with my fiance's table at first because he has it in a poorly decorated home, period. He picked pieces because the black frame of a round glass piece matched an art fair acquisition. He collected Lladro, swarovski, and everything was in plastic "showcases" nailed here and there on walls with no rhyme or reason. I am not pointing fingers, but his wife just didn't care about such thing. The table was lost among so many design styles I couldn't see it anywhere, least of all among my rustic, French country pieces. Yet, he seems attached to it. I thought that if I put a partial wall deliniating the new family room from the the dining room, I could use the credenza which goes with the table and keep the red blown murino glass chandelier and that would be the end of the mid century modern. On the other side of the "wall" I could put my rustic many drawers piece and his "can't live without" television over it. I could use the dark wood "coffee" table which was actually used in the turn of the century for bread. It is so cool. I left wall space between two windows for my two large multi colored abstract. This way one would not see the table and credenza, which, to me, would fight with my transitional eclectic pieces that somehow go together. I am incorporating at least one of my 1800s armoires in the kitchen and using it as a pantry. I found someone who can reconfigure it. I don't mind because it isn't a museum piece and was already reconfigured to house a LARGE television in my first house when the televisions were giant. I like the idea of using the two tall red velvet chairs with arms on either side of the table. I do love my antique French country dining room table which is parquet inlay doesn't have leaves but pulls out from both side to accommodate more people. It has curved legs and is nothing like the mid century lines of the table and credenza. Well, I am going to post pictures of my favorite things here when I figure how to upload things. Ellie