Marguerite, I purchased all my Coleus from one mailorder nursery (in 2004 and 2005) but pretty sure they were pestfree when received...especially as I kept them all near sofa the first few days so I could admire them...LOL They spent all summer on my patio so probably picked up mealybugs (or eggs) there. I think I've found part of the answer...attached article says Coleus very susceptible but constant inspection and washing can prevent infestation and spread if caught early. Also, I just had 3-4 little mealybugs...not all over the stems as I've seen in photos (shudder!) Another thing the article recommended was growing potplants inside house a little dry and using less fertilizer. In winter I just "maintain" my plants, not try to grow them...and I never use fertilizer (although some may be in some of potting soil I buy). My house is kept between 66-68 degrees F days and cooler still at night so they sort of go into hibernation mode. So maybe I was doing the right thing inadvertently. I'd always felt fortunate not to have had pests on my tropicals indoors...I think possibly my method of brisk thorough shower and watering well and then letting pot dry out a good bit was, in addition to catering to my laziness, a good insect preventative...LOL Of course when outside they get thorough spray/watering every other day...temps in 90's all summer here. But they flourish and grow so well they don't mind the lower light, cooler temps and reduced water in winter inside. Oh, the one Coleus that got the mealybugs was 'Klondike', orange-red leaves with yellow edge. Iside house it fades to a soft copper-pink but still nice. josh Here is a link that might be useful: Mealybug Life Cycle & Prevention

Hi Barb Some of your questions are outside my range of knowledge, however I can maybe help on some of them. With regards to planting this plant outside I think you could but I am not sure about overwintering it (someone will know though). If you intend keeping the plant in a pot on a sunny porch I would suggest that you put the plant container inside another container and fill the gap with gravel, this will allow you to water the gravel and help keep the roots cool. You will need 2 fairly big pots to do this as your plant will put on a lot of growth. The plant will respond better if you can give it some form of shade during the hottest part of the day. Sorry that I can't be of much help but the link below might be worthwhile looking at. Tight.... Here is a link that might be useful: fuchsia x hybrida

I love the blue and green you’re going with. Funky’s right with it being ” fresh and clean.” I know you don’t want to buy anything, but when you mentioned plates, I thought of fans. Some of these are exquiste and perfect in a bedroom. ‘Sorry this link is so long. https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=framed+antique+fans&hl=en-us&client=safari&fir=4WUSi763HWdRPM%252CzTs6eESIGvmoMM%252C_%253B1mWYsh7PZc001M%252C0r6CNqH7yEc4NM%252C_%253BydG7syObzM-cNM%252CxBL3W9MJjKRt5M%252C_%253BVFKIoA_BLbn_iM%252CYJ6rtN4ebNN45M%252C_%253Bu-ICU0inLJXcgM%252CWhSNByWP8MYDWM%252C_%253B9GIJ4hicsQJVHM%252CU_hZ7G_lvUPZsM%252C_%253BkWGGPA7qa21z2M%252CAqTt8sVRYgZJAM%252C_%253Bh7a1ebarBZCA9M%252C2-ynV_3Ddzf3TM%252C_%253Bfu0Ose68TevSCM%252CMntSAgP7TQQvhM%252C_%253BSQNmgWTUuM_ymM%252C4kmtZiq1LP9IZM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kTt2fyiblsbK-eTSJmhPYFf9L6lcQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwimi6_84MD0AhXbRTABHfSGCNMQjJkEegQICBAC&biw=1121&bih=1298&dpr=2#imgrc=Hz26C4qp1L_6IM

long term best to get a range and hood on your exterior wall...left of window??...do you have some wall space there? 2nd best would be on fridge wall ..they go up into soffit w one 90 degree turn to the exterior . kind of tough because your kitchen is large and you probably arent ready for a big remodel right away which is wise. I dont think I'd vent a hood up at the island spot..... esp since you have abundant space to rework this.....if you removed cabinets left of window ..install range and hood / got a new top for the island/ left in place the wall oven and microwave ...seems okay . you have inherited builder grade stuff- [cabs and formica ] it appears / perfectly reasonable to do something this narrow in scope right now. perhaps the formica can be cut to make room for the stove on exterior wall....save a rip out cost which would get me going on the project.. If you think a full remodel could happen in 3-5 years..... [big space - save and plan] I'd wait .