Thanks! Good question about the bulbs, Oceanna. I had the same issue with the last one and it was impossible to clean as well. This one should be easier to clean. I should be able to change the bulbs using an 8 foot ladder. They needed a huge a-frame 12 foot ladder to install it. Kitchenkelly, thanks. I absolutely love the floors. Of all the things I've done it is my absolute favorite and I never have doubts about them at all - pure joy! It's funny how the look of the house has developed. I like the richness of it, but it probably wouldn't be my first choice. I think it is the best look for the house and working with the stained woodwork. I did tell my DH the other day that in another house or with painted woodwork, I probably would have gone in a lighter direction. Overall, with what I am working with, I am pleased. Thanks. I assume you still love your floors as well. I just saw the pictures on the Before and After thread and what a transformation. The change is amazing in your house! Gorgeous!

We noticed how electricity has gone up in this last year. Sigh. This new house is just a slight bit larger than our last house 1290 verses a little over 1300 SQ FT and the electric rate now is about 50 dollars more per month. I am not doing anything different. House is well insulated. Really glad we do not have more house to heat. I use our guest room as a sewing room and also a den for me to nap in when I choose to if hubby is watching TV in the living room. We have a futon in the guest room and I can nap comfortably on it when it is in the couch position. BUT if I had it to do different I would buy a small ,love seat size, hide a bed. I think for our room it would be easier for me to arrange the room. Also easier to set up the bed for company. The futon we have has to be turned around in the room to set it up. That is a pain on my back. The fold down couch futons might be a better choice. At the time I got mine I could not find one. One great thing about the futon we have is the available storage under it.So................. Chris

This is a photo of the three pendants that will be hanging over the 12 foot island. They are bigger than they look in the photo. The chandelier for the dining room. The entry light. This one is up for debate. However, it really is beautiful. I might refinish it to make it more bronze. I have added a link to t My kitchen inspiration pic is attached. I am using white cabs and a stained island. However, the layout and ceiling will be the same. There will be no fireplace, just a wall of windows. So, thoughts? Here is a link that might be useful: [Link to inspiration kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/las-lomas-residence-contemporary-kitchen-austin-phvw-vp~1764361)

Your water probably isn’t the problem. It’s the sink! My sink looked like that after a few months of being very careful with everything. I had my water tested to make sure it wasn’t something in my water, my water was perfect. Not hard. PH was 7.2. No chemicals, bacteria, nothing. This sink is just bad! Blanco markets this sink as stain resistant, scratch resistant, bla bla bla and it’s all lies! I contacted customer service immediately and they refused to refund me or provide a replacement sink. They told me I needed to use more “elbow grease” despite their claim that this sink is “low maintenance” Blanco is boldly marketing lies and ripping people off. The problem is, once your sink is fabricated into your brand new counter top, nobody wants to pay to tear the sink/counter out. Blanco knows this and they rely on it to get away with never replacing these awful sinks. I called them out on it. I asked for a refund and told them I would allow a Blanco rep to come to my home and take the sink out. Guess what? They said no. I have an entire email thread with customer service and it’s very obvious that they know what they are doing. Don’t waste your money on this trash. My kitchen renovation is plagued by a nasty sink that is stained. Ruined my entire look!