Until this past Saturday when I talked to a general contractor doing a neighbor's kitchen, I was all set to have laminate installed. I had already did the preliminary work of getting my space measured and all I needed to do was 'make he call'. When the GC told me the cabinets would literally fall apart when demolition started(I have tile)I thought I would have to leave the gross '80's tile. While going over the whole scenario with my daughter, she told me about a product she saw advertised at the mall that goes right over the existing tops. The company is called Granite Transformations(http://www.granitetransformations.com/home.html)and is a granite/resin combination. I had a rep out today and here's the scoop: A layer of luan is used on existing tops, some of the tile is 'knocked down' to accommodate the stove and sink, and then the product is installed over the top. Let me tell you, this stuff really looks like granite, but less upkeep, with no sealing involved, and can withstand temps up to 600+(??) degrees. It's an Italian product, and was first used for floors. Yes, it costs more than laminate, but I would need someone to come in and demo, repair walls, disconnect drains, dishwasher, disposal, put in new sink, and then re-install the whole shebang, but I won't need all of that, and they'll disconnect. The laminate plus the 'extras' would have been almost 3 grand. It will cost a little over $4 grand for the granite-like surface. Tomorrow will be decision day. ;o) patty_cakes

Re the fridge for Grl: YES!!!! If you want to know for sure watch House Hunters International. Even where small fridges and tiny or no ovens are the norm, people get excited over full sized fridges and ovens. This was true 25 years ago when I was living abroad, and it's even more true now. In Europe full height fridge/freezers, like the Liebherr, are becoming the norm. Ikea makes panel kits for them. It used to be an under counter unit about double the size of a dorm fridge with no real freezer at all (just that little box that would more or less hold the ice cream until after dinner, but not overnight). If you're doing it for yourself do what you like, but if resale is an issue at all you really should have a space for a full sized fridge. You might fill that space with a smaller fridge and some removeable storage, but make it possible to easily change it out for larger. Similarly, if you want to save space on the oven, a range, rather than separate cooktop and wall ovens, is the best way to do it. OTOH, I did see this amazing mansion (over $2M) with a tract house sized kitchen, nicely finished with granite, etc., but a small sxs fridge and a standard range. Those appliances were a big turnoff to the people who were looking to buy. I believe the words "sow's ear" were used! So if your small kitchen is in a deluxe mansion, absolutely you need proper deluxe appliances. If you have a normal sized, normal nice home, normal sized nice appliances are just fine.

Circuspeanut, I've always loved your kitchen. I remember when you revealed the beautiful copper counters and tiled hood--so lovely! And I'm in awe that you and DH DIY'd it. Your kitchen is so wonderfully functional (open shelves by the fridge, pot rack, peninsula with sink) and warm and comfortable--perfect for a glass of milk and some cookies! Congratulations on selling it so quickly and at an optimum price (not surprising to me). I look forward to following your new renovation!

Thai is a great compact variety, that also can double as an ornamental. For a small sweet variety. I would say Gypsy. While I have not grown them in containers. The ones I planted in ground were well behaved. They topped out at about 3 feet for the tallest one. Bushy factor of them was about a foot to a foot and half. So it would take a good while for one to get root bound in a 1 gal container. The production I had out of the ones I have planted was outstanding. They are very prolific. 3 to 4 inch long fruits that go from green to yellow, to orange, then to red. The sweet flavor of a red bell. With a nice crunch. Also they keep the sweet flavor if they are fried as well.