I need to defend SBOE. Most of the Catt crosses are either young seedlings who should bloom in 3 years or 2 bbulbs of a mature plant which also should bloom in 3 years. If you get there first thing in the morning, any day, as they restock at night, and carefully look at each plant in a given group, you will usually find a couple that are 1 year ahead of the pack, 2 bbulbs plus a new growth. That plant will bloom in 2 years. I usually try to get there at 8 AM Friday morning, this year I could not get there until Saturday AM but found nice plants never the less. Some of the Pleuros and the plants in that group often are already in bloom and will give a full head of flowers in a year. Depends on your desire for quick results. I prefer 20 of these to 6 or 7 larger plants. Since I have been doing this for a number of years, as I mount or pot this year's purchases, flowers are popping up on plants I got there 3 years ago and had forgotten about until they surprise you with a bloom. Do that twice a year for a number of years and the surprises keep on popping up. For 'REAL' orchid shopping I would not go there during a show. On any weekday during the year, the personal attention at SBOE and Cal Orchids right across the street is superb. No mass $7.50 table but expert advice and a great selection of obviously more expensive plants. I usually shop for a group, tell James at Cal Orchids "Let's look at Pescatore today" or Wayne at SBOE "Good day for Lycaste" and you get a selection of their best. Large enough purchases will get you the usual discount. The $7.50 table is like an exiting swap meet, no comparison to 'real orchid shopping' but I would not miss it. Nick

I'm not sure which wall is the "west wall"...is it the top wall? Trash under sink...I've never liked having trash under a sink. Yes, it can be an issue when someone is working at the sink (prepping, cleaning up, etc.) when someone wants to use the trash. However, the bigger issues I have are the small size of the can and the overflowing trash (above or on the floor) that gets on the door, the items stored under the sink, etc. I'd rather have a stand-alone trash can than a can under the sink...which is what I had in my old kitchen. If you had a prep sink in the island, it would become your main Prep Zone b/c it would be so easy to take food out of the refrigerator and pantry and place it directly on the island. Then, walk over to the island and everything is right there and ready for you to begin prepping...no making one or more trips b/w the refrigerator & pantry to the wall counter...you're prepping right where you placed the food and across from the range and very near the trash pullout (just brush things into the pullout...no need to carry it across the aisle), which is also very convenient. It's the lack of water on the island that keeps it from being the main Prep Zone. An empty island can be used as large workspace for baking, crafts, homework/school projects (if you have children), wrapping gifts, sewing, staging food for a buffet, for appetizers, snacks, etc...including prepping when you don't need water. Don't worry, your island will get plenty of use even w/o a prep sink! Regarding prepping over a DW...Isn't it amazing how adaptable we humans are! Even inconvenient or uncomfortable things are "livable". Yes, we can adapt to almost anything...but if you can avoid things like that, it makes it so much more pleasant! I used to prep in a 24" space b/w the range and sink and really disliked it...but it was "livable". While I knew our new kitchen would be better laid out, I was still surprised how much nicer it is to work in it now. I spend more time in the kitchen puttering around, etc. b/c it's such a pleasant place to be...even my family does! I also find that we all cook more than we used to and do more "from scratch" cooking as well...all b/c it's so much nicer and easier to cook in a well-designed and thought out kitchen! Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks @Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design ! Kitchen: we actually want the kitchen centrally located to have a line of sight throughout all the rooms. We're not an 'open concept' family and want some seperation since we have a big family and we're intending on growing it further. With so many people sometimes you just need some more private space. But we're trying to keep things open with larger doorways. Trying to find a good medium. We are incorporating an eat-in area just parallel to the island, like you mentioned. Zone: It's a mudroom/pantry area. And the chair in that space is actually our thought at having a flex room for the littles. Something separate from the living space. A place toddlers can play while bigger kids do homework else where. Office: I know it seems an odd location but we need a small office that can be locked for business reasons. We're hoping the ample french doors lighting the kitchen and the end of the living room would provide enough light. But that's a very good factor to consider. I do love natural light. Where would you suggest putting a very small office space that can be locked? Desk: Good point. Upstairs: my husband doesn't think the nursery needs its own private bath. I'm on the fence. I'm considering making one ensuite bath a hall accessible one so it makes it easier. Thanks for all that great feedback!

Everyone thank you for trying to help with this very hard decision as I attempt to search for a rug. I have decided to paint the walls. I have a painter coming to give me an estimate this week. Any suggestions on wall color? Is grey the new beige?