I know this is a little late in posting, but I wanted to actually use it for a while before reporting back. We finally got it installed a little over a month ago and I'm so far very happy with it. We got the SHE68T56UC as I couldn't find enough differences with the 800 series that I cared about. It is very quiet, it fits way more stuff than my old dishwasher did, it doesn't dry things quite as good as I would like, but plastics are no different than the old one. The one drawback I do have is that my tall pot doesn't fit unless I rearrange the racks which to me is more of a pain than washing it by hand. Dishes comes out way cleaner and my glasses that had some kind of white haze that I thought was etching are returning to looking clear again. I only switched the dishwasher - not the detergent. It does take about an extra 40 min than my old dishwasher, but it hasn't bothered me as I can fit so much that at times I end up putting some stuff in and running it not completely full as there isn't enough space to fit more plastics for example or glasses in the top and the bottom isn't fully filled. I have yet to be left with anything on the counter to feel like it is taking too long to run so I can load it again. Edit: Forgot to add that I don't pre-wash the dishes except to scrape off large stuff, but DH does pre-wash, although he is starting to come around. So each wash is a mix of the two. Hopefully I can get a chance to test out it with nothing pre-washed at all, but I think it will perform well. I took the wash filter out to clean as the installer said to do it if things started to smell. It didn't smell, but I figured I'd make it a monthly thing just so I it wouldn't get there. There was nothing in the filter so really didn't need to do it. I'm sure as I go along I'll figure out how often it will need to be done. This post was edited by lyfia on Wed, Mar 12, 14 at 12:32

the problem with the 180fx or wilsonart hd is that after doing the special edges, it is not much of a bargain. i looked at going that route but honestly felt that granite was a better bang for the buck. the laminates that were cheap, weren't to my liking unfortunately and the pretty laminates were not cheap! you might be able to do a solid surface for less than granite but the difference will not be significant. honestly it is better to spend a little more now than to spend now and spend more later to change out the counter. if you love laminate then go for it; but if it is a temporary fix, you end up spending more in the end anyway.

I agree w/the other posters to go 2 sizes up on the rug - I would rec taking blue painters tape & mask off an 8 x10 & 9x12 then ask non partisan parties to pull chairs out & sit at the table - you shouldn't be in the 1/2 off 1/2 on land. I ended up w/8x10 in a small DR 12x12 because of that very issue - we walk thru/on one section constantly - no issue Also if you are wanting more light in the room I would consider a lighter rug which would not only offer more light but also be more complimentary to the dark furnishings some quick look quick links http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=GR420C http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=MRK141A http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=MRK103A http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=MRK116B Their "old world" collection is reasonable cost wise & well made http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=OW129A If you dare doing a little red http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=OW115E http://safavieh.com/bigpic.php?item=P250C WOW Safavieh has collection at Target! http://www.target.com/b/ref=in_se_pagelist/184-1402763-5944241?ie=UTF8&itemsPerPage=53&node=702681011&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=702681011&rank=pmrank&viewID=leaf&field-pricebin=&store=&size=53&rh=&page=1&fromBrowse=1 Good luck

I'd love to rec but need more info to be useful. Can you share more about your style? What colour is on the walls? What sort of end result do you want for the room,what is your style? For example, cheerful or moody? Boho or formal? IOW, what direction do you want the rug to enhance? What size do you need? Pets or kids? and do you have/plan on a coffeetable? The sofa is terrific! Colorful sofas often are...