Like pdxgal, I've had my fridge and wall ovens next to each other for 20 years with no problem. I, too, don't want to change my electrical service for those appliances, so the new ones will occupy the same positions. That said, you should be sure to e-mail customer service of the company that manufactures your new refrigerator and ask what their policy is regarding ovens and refrigerators next to each other. GE customer service told me it would void the refrigerator warranty. KA customer service told me the warranty would still be in effect, but they recommended 3 inches between the appliances if it was possible. I am going with the KA built-in side-by-side, and I have their answer IN WRITING (love e-mail!) regarding this appliance issue. FYI: When I asked GE customer service by telephone whether their policy was "carved in stone", they said yes. But their own marketing brochures have at least two photographs where their ovens and fridges are right next to each other!

The Granite Store is in my neck of the woods. They are basically a fabricator and not a stone yard. They have some slabs but most of it is fairly common varieties. I would be really surprised if you could find a Van Gogh remnant around here. I think they get their stone from Marva Marble and used Marva's pictures for their website. Someone already mentioned Marva in Virginia but they also have a place in NC. Here is a link that might be useful: Marva Marble

Similar to mine also -- in my small house I have Behr Navajo White on the walls (in living, dining, upper hall and one bedroom) which is a soft yellow or yellow-beige, depending on the room and time of day; one bedroom is a Glidden soft sage green; another is a deeper, more caramel-y yellow. I have sage green curtains in the living and dining and a terracotta- ish (tends more coral -- has more pink than a terracotta pot), yellow and tan rug; The sofa is a greenish brown or brownish green. The floors are natural red oak. The colors all produce a warm but calm effect and since they aren't really vivid, they read fairly neutral and flow together. I have other small color accents as well -- in artwork, lamp, pillows. For major colors I think the 4 that I have are the max that can work --IMO. I've not read Maria Killam but have seen multiple positive mentions here, so I would check out her blog for sure.

Linen, it seems, has become popular to make sheets from, but I am not aware of any that is that wide. People are buying the 54' wide and making seams in it. While linen is a nice fabric, I dont see what most people are doing with it as sheets that is really a good idea. Most of what I see people using is linen that does not have a tight weave. That might be fine for a top sheet, but would make lousy bottom sheet with the loose weave that is not intended for using as a sheet. LInen is fabulous, but everything has it's limits. If it is made for use on bed, maybe the weave is tighter than is that sold off the bolt for sewing. Buy a sheet that you like in a large size and cut it down. One thing that I have found is that, when there is only one person in the bed, sometimes a smaller top sheet or blanket serves better than one made for the size of the bed. But, of course for the bottom sheet it is a different. So, I guess you make a hospital corner on the sheet?