I think JaG hit on something that's always been fairly significant part of my offerings, and that is optimization. I've never said you couldn't grow in this or that. I may point out the probable shortcomings of a particular soil, but I never say you can't grow in it. I often say you can grow in a bucket of marbles, if you want to stand over it and water every 5 minutes. The same is true of a heavier soil - if you want to water in sips with distilled water & can devise a plan for ensuring soluble salts levels don't get too high. The point is, I've always been about two things - optimizing and simplifying. If I am a help, it's usually to those who wish to optimize growth or improve performance of their plantings. I'm little help to those content with the way things are. To many, me included, only a little improvement is a lot - kind of like using premium fuel in your car so you can squeeze out just that little bit of extra acceleration or top end speed - only in this case, the 'little extra' ends up being cheaper when you make your own. I figured what I had learned about soils could be helpful to others. I registered with GW in '02, and in '05 I posted the first soil thread. I'd mentioned the importance of aeration time after time, and how bark-based soils could be so much easier to grow in and more plant-friendly, and received a LOT of criticism and ridicule for trying to upset the apple cart. Eventually, a few started to see that what I was saying made sense & tried it. Now, there are at least six people growing in bark-based highly aerated soils - and I think at least 2 in the gritty mix. ;o) Some people have made very large advances in the amount of satisfaction they get from their growing experience as a result of changing to a more forgiving soil. Others have incorporated the 'aeration message' into their way of thinking about soils and have been pleased to have done so. The simplicity part comes into play because it's difficult to over-water a free-draining, well-aerated soil - you really have to work at it. That the soils I use have only 3 basic ingredients each, is also a form of simplicity. No .... not as simple as opening a bag, but those happy with simply opening a bag are not the ones I'm trying to reach anyway. The satisfaction isn't necessarily commensurate with the size of our forward strides. More often, it's in the perception of our progress. The people I care the most about are those who are happy to be moving forward and who are willing to do just a little extra to ensure that their progress is steady (no matter if it comes in leaps and bounds or that it comes in baby steps) - they're all kindred to me. ;o) Al

flymom, the color on the fireplace wall is Benjamin Moore's Adagio #1593. I'm so glad you like it. On the strip it appears very gray but on the walls it took on a much bluer cast which we liked. We selected that color from the painting that's on the wall. By the way, I happened to log on to Macy's website last night to see if there were any more reviews of the sectional we're buying, and to my surprise it was marked down an additional $200! So, DH & I are returning to the store today to get a price adjustment. This was just meant to be :-).

Again, thanks a lot to everyone for sharing your thoughts. Below layout is what we settled on. I know it's by no means the best design, but it will be functional, and it required compromises from all parties involved (yes, that includes the cats too). The wall cabs are bumped out 2 inches. With the cover panel covering the doors and slight over hang, the cats will have a 15" deep platform. The counter top in front of the wall cabs will be about 11" deep, which is what my DH wanted ("to set things down on"). Good night and happy 4th everyone!

Just wanted to make sure you have also seen the Vent-a-hood "Excalibur" model, which is a almost the same as the Rangecraft Canterbury that you like. The Excalibur comes two ways: in an undercabinet style, but that one is only 9" high (#XRH9), and a wall-mount style that is 18" high (#XRH18). Unfortunately, the pics on the VAH website for the Excalibur are TERRIBLE. But note that you can change the black bands that come standard on the Excalibur for bands with rivets like the Canterbury's. The bands can be in a number of different finishes too. Of course, the bands with rivets are an upcharge, so I am not sure if that makes the Excalibur go out of your price range. You can also use the Excalibur with a duct cover (like your second pic) or as an undercabinet style. There's also a pic on the VAH website that's a little better. Under the "Range Hood Styles" tab, click on "Design Ideas", and look at the bottom row of pics for the Excalibur. It's still not the greatest photo, but you may be able to see how similar to the Rangecraft Canterbury it is. Here is a link that might be useful: VAH Excalibur Hood