Friends of mine got a new dining room table, and the first thing they did together with the whole family did was put sand on it and scratch it all up. They wanted it to be rustic and used-looking - and avoid having to spank the kids for putting scratches on it
That said, have fun in Paris!
Oh, and I have one of those K5 Kitchen Aid mixers, am I to think that this is a good choice? Well, had it for years and never had issues with it. Just wish I had bought the copper bowl at the time...
Stefan