*Homegardenpa, thank you!.. For the opinion, and getting back to the problem at hand :) I didn't think it looked like blight because of the same things, after really checking it out. I really looked good and hard at every disease, and it seemed that my plants were lacking at least 1 major symptom of each. Nothing was adding up perfectly, even though I know there *are* exceptions to anything and everything. I do see where everyone can think blight at first look tho, especially with everyone's varying experiences with it. Have to say, Im sorry to have started an argument, and had no idea the word "organic" would turn out so bad. Im really neither organic or un-organic, but I see everyone's point. When it comes down to comparing to a disease, I really see bacterial canker more than any. The leaves look identical to pics I have seen. Yet again, the stems dont have browning, and when cut, there is no oozing. So this is where im rattled! I do think it is a combo of things at the moment. I guess a beginner's combo of wrong-doings! I uprooted one of the money makers to give a little more room, and have been evenly watering. I took a leaf to the nursery, and he told me it couldn't hurt to just spray a watered down solution of daconil incase it is disease, but just leave them alone other than that. The fact that every container (all 8 of them, spread apart) is showing these same issues, all appearing at the same time, makes me think its got to be a burn bc a disease would take time to spread. Im happy to say, most of them havn't really gotten worse. Not any better, but not spreading. That has to be a good sign, right?

I like the way it's shaping up, and have to agree with RHome on her concerns. - If the rounded ends look good with your house, they do offer a nice seating option -- but then do them on both ends (which would really complicate your trash). If rounded ends aren't right for the house, don't do them at all. - I have a raised seating area and love it -- but I also have reasons for it that don't apply in your case. Mine separates the cooking area from the visiting area, protects the cooktop, and also acts as a buffet zone when we're entertaining. In your case, it would cut out useful prep space; in mine, it doesn't. Plus, my island is HUGE and needed to be broken up. Yours is very nicely proportioned and IMO, should be kept symmetrical since everything else is. - Because of the symmetry issue, I'd be inclined to agree with RHome about your sink(s), and maybe go with one like the lower soapstone one I posted. It'll also be cheaper and easier to fabricate. And a deep sink really CAN hide stuff! (That was one of the unexpected bonuses I discovered that I have really come to love.) - I've found that when the time comes to eat, most of the mess is around the range, since prep mess can be easily tidied as you go without messing with your timing. And a range mess will be partially hidden by your doorway. But since you're concerned about hiding a messy kitchen, and have an extra thick wall there anyway, what about putting back the pocket doors? We have a pair separating our dining area from the TV room, and in the right setting - which I think you have - they can provide the perfect sense of separation with openness. And you know, you can use 'regular' doors with a pocket application -- you aren't stuck with those flimsy ones you so often see.

I used to live in an apartment in NYC on the 32nd floor and the River. I had a wall of windows in the LR and BR. I would never have covered them. The nearest building was two blocks away. Sure, they could have had some sort of super duper telescope binoculars. But so what, if they did that it just meant a random person was watching another random person, nude or in flagrante delicto or whatever. And with so many apartments and 32+ floors to choose from, I don't think anybody would've lingered on mine for very long; surely there were better places to peek! Unless I was plotting world domination, not sure why it matters if people could see my life. Our house in CT in on nine fenced, acres, wooded on the periphery, and with only one neighbor very minimally in view in only one direction, which is next to our garage for the most part. I had no WT at all anywhere except the guest room, until AnneDeighnaugh started doing all of those posts on WT and I got the bug. Our MBR is on the first floor, and looks our over patios and the pond. My tub is in a windowed alcove, formerly unfettered. I did once happen upon a landscaper whilst I was in the tub, but its really just your shoulders, so, really, hey. But AnnieD got me hankering for WT and so now we have them in our MBR suite. What I don't like is we tend to close them and forget to open them, and are now less likely to stop and notice the trees or the weather or, today the dusting sof now. It's all AnnieD's fault. But the landscaper has agreed to come back to work I hear. : )

Hi Susie, to answer some of your questions - the planks are about 5 1/4" wide, with a little gap inbetween. They were put in on top of the drywall, then painted in once they were in place. Unfortunately the longest shelves are starting to pitch forward just a bit. Both my husband (who is handy) and our contractor think they will not come off the wall, BUT we all decided we'd feel better to put brackets in. I have some really heavy stuff I'd like to put up there, like a big le creuset dutch oven etc. and I'd feel better with the brackets. I picked out some metal ones and I will paint them white to blend in with the wall. as for wall color, its either Sherwin Williams Dover white, or just plain white, I don't remember. And yes, I still love the marble. It does etch but doesn't stain at all once properly sealed. I did do a re-seal on it after about 6 months. Good luck with your kitchen! Thanks for the kind words.