I would point out that functionally there are 3 electric ovens. A better option may be to get the all gas range with an electric wall oven to have some variety. The gas ovens aren't self clean, but may be preferable in certain applications, depending how you cook. As far as refrigeration, you could get the 700bc combo unit to add freezer space if that were a problem. I personally find the pro48 fine in the freezer department. It has significantly more capacity than the 632 (11.7 v. 9.9 cu. ft.). You didn't mention dishwashers, but I would probably get 2 in your case if the volume of prep dishes and dinnerware is at all represented by the amount of food storage/cooking space you have. Maybe a Miele and a set of Dishdrawers would be good.

Outside, I enjoy those books too--- my late FIL went to school with Ferrol Sams and we love his novels. I hadn't realized he wrote essays as well. "When attending art shows, I swear off coffee table books but I am weak." We share that weakness, lol. Seems I am "always" never going to buy another huge book... Beagles, that room is fantastic, and I do see your pile of books peeking out from under that chair to the left :-) I'm with you on the kindle, but every now and then I like to hold a real book. Even though I find myself pushing the edge of the page instead of turning it (hanging head). No screen can reproduce the heft and color of those prints in large books, there is something about a good quality art print that is somehow more convincing than an image on a screen. Sloe gin, over the past decade or so I've seen many people putting lovely shelving in their dining rooms to combine functions or simply bring books into a room that doesn't often see them. I love that look, of a literary dining room! And your basket sounds eminently practical, we use our shagreen boxes and ceramic bowls for the same purpose--- the "stuff" has got to be corralled somehow. I have seen that Circus book, Robo, and the Atomic Ranch book also, they are both marvelous! It's clear that our collective enjoyment of these tomes is at least partly for the esthetic quality of the books themselves in addition to the content. I suppose that's what makes them "useful" decor :-) In some cases they might function purely as decor, as the leather books you've used, tinam. Have you seen the book purses that are so popular in some circles? Kate Spade has or had a few, and there's quite a cottage industry on Etsy making real old books into small handbags. They aren't a tenth big enough for me, but I love looking at them!

what are the books that empower you ? for me, books are entertainment, novels and biographies are just that, imo. Unless it's a biography of someone who has accomplished something special that might inspire me. watching a tv show about someone inspiring, as empowering to me as reading about it. most useful book I've ever read : the Four Agreements, I still refer to it. Simple and basic. Out of all the self help, motivational books I've read, it's the only one that says it all within the confines of a very small book. I've read hundreds of novels, yet I wouldn't want to line my shelves with them or want to be judged on who I am because of them. They mean nothing to me but the fleeting escape I got from immersing myself in them. I do buy books as souvenirs/mementos, I am not a knick knack person at all. Frank Loyd Wright when I stayed at the Biltmore hotel, JP Gaultier book when I saw and loved his exhibit at the museum recently, San Fran Homes book when I did a tour of famous homes in that city, book on Tuscan Homes right after my first stay in Tuscany. Books are easy to stash in a suitcase, do not need to be bubble wrapped. oakley, your book nook is a genius idea, very original.

Saw a review of it in the newspaper. He is giving the millions earned from this book for the medical care of military who were injured in the war on terrorism. I admire that. I believe I read that he got an initial signing fee of $7,000,000.