diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/base.rb b/lib/compass/commands/base.rb
index 75e95af7..94c17d57 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/base.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/base.rb
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ module Compass
         self.options = options
       end
       
+      def execute
+        perform
+      end
+
       def perform
         raise StandardError.new("Not Implemented")
       end
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb b/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
index 373785dc..3605af1e 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 require 'fileutils'
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'stamp_pattern')
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'update_project')
-require File.join(Compass.lib_directory, 'compass', 'installers')
 
 module Compass
   module Commands
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/installer_command.rb b/lib/compass/commands/installer_command.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b59d451b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/installer_command.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+require File.join(Compass.lib_directory, 'compass', 'installers')
+
+module Compass
+  module Commands
+    module InstallerCommand
+      include Compass::Installers
+
+      def configure!
+        read_project_configuration
+        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
+        Compass.configuration.default_all(installer.configuration_defaults)
+        Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
+      end
+
+      def installer
+        @installer ||= case options[:project_type]
+        when :stand_alone
+          StandAloneInstaller.new *installer_args
+        when :rails
+          RailsInstaller.new *installer_args
+        else
+          raise "Unknown project type: #{options[:project_type].inspect}"
+        end
+      end
+
+      def installer_args
+        [template_directory(options[:pattern]), project_directory, options]
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb b/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
index 1aba29b3..9c66bef1 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ require 'sass'
 require 'fileutils'
 require 'pathname'
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'base')
+require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'installer_command')
 
 module Compass
   module Commands
@@ -13,13 +14,21 @@ module Compass
         super(working_path, options)
         self.project_name = determine_project_name(working_path, options)
         Compass.configuration.project_path = determine_project_directory(working_path, options)
+      end
+
+      def execute
+        configure!
+        super
+      end
+
+      protected
+
+      def configure!
         read_project_configuration
         Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
         Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
       end
 
-      protected
-
       def projectize(path)
         File.join(project_directory, separate(path))
       end
@@ -42,13 +51,19 @@ module Compass
 
       # Read the configuration file for this project
       def read_project_configuration
-        if File.exists?(projectize('config.rb'))
-          Compass.configuration.parse(projectize('config.rb'))
-        elsif File.exists?(projectize('src/config.rb'))
-          Compass.configuration.parse(projectize('src/config.rb'))
+        if file = detect_configuration_file
+          Compass.configuration.parse(file)
         end
       end
 
+      # TODO: Deprecate the src/config.rb location.
+      KNOWN_CONFIG_LOCATIONS = ["config/compass.config", "config.rb", "src/config.rb"]
+
+      # Finds the configuration file, if it exists in a known location.
+      def detect_configuration_file
+        KNOWN_CONFIG_LOCATIONS.map{|f| projectize(f)}.detect{|f| File.exists?(f)}
+      end
+
       def assert_project_directory_exists!
         if File.exists?(project_directory) && !File.directory?(project_directory)
           raise Compass::FilesystemConflict.new("#{project_directory} is not a directory.")
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb b/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
index c1434450..47f02b84 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
@@ -1,29 +1,17 @@
 require 'fileutils'
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'base')
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'update_project')
-require File.join(Compass.lib_directory, 'compass', 'installers')
 
 module Compass
   module Commands
     class StampPattern < ProjectBase
 
-      include Compass::Installers
-
-      attr_accessor :installer
+      include InstallerCommand
 
       def initialize(working_path, options)
         super(working_path, options)
-        installer_args = [template_directory(options[:pattern]), project_directory, self.options]
-        @installer = case options[:project_type]
-        when :stand_alone
-          StandAloneInstaller.new *installer_args
-        when :rails
-          RailsInstaller.new *installer_args
-        else
-          raise "Unknown project type: #{project_type}"
-        end
       end
-      
+
       # all commands must implement perform
       def perform
         installer.init
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb b/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
index 8f0af86c..758fbdfc 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
@@ -4,31 +4,17 @@ module Compass
   module Commands
     class WriteConfiguration < ProjectBase
       
+      include InstallerCommand
+
       def initialize(working_path, options)
         super
         assert_project_directory_exists!
       end
 
       def perform
-        config_file = projectize("config.rb")
-        if File.exists?(config_file)
-          if options[:force]
-            logger.record(:overwrite, config_file)
-          else
-            message = "#{config_file} already exists. Run with --force to overwrite."
-            raise Compass::FilesystemConflict.new(message)
-          end
-        else
-          logger.record(:create, basename(config_file))
-        end
-        project_path, Compass.configuration.project_path = Compass.configuration.project_path, nil
-        open(config_file,'w') do |config|
-          config.puts Compass.configuration.serialize
-        end
-        Compass.configuration.project_path = project_path
+        installer.write_configuration_files
       end
 
-
     end
   end
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/compass/configuration.rb b/lib/compass/configuration.rb
index d84a5be8..db412ed4 100644
--- a/lib/compass/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/configuration.rb
@@ -120,12 +120,16 @@ module Compass
         if block_given? && (to_emit = yield(prop, value))
           contents << to_emit
         else
-          contents << %Q(#{prop} = #{value.inspect}\n) unless value.nil?
+          contents << Configuration.serialize_property(prop, value) unless value.nil?
         end
       end
       contents
     end
 
+    def self.serialize_property(prop, value)
+      %Q(#{prop} = #{value.inspect}\n)
+    end
+
     def to_sass_plugin_options
       if project_path && sass_dir && css_dir
         proj_sass_path = File.join(project_path, sass_dir)
diff --git a/lib/compass/exec.rb b/lib/compass/exec.rb
index 0ad5b9a2..7207fd26 100644
--- a/lib/compass/exec.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/exec.rb
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ END
       def do_command(command)
         command_class_name = command.to_s.split(/_/).map{|p| p.capitalize}.join('')
         command_class = eval("::Compass::Commands::#{command_class_name}")
-        command_class.new(Dir.getwd, options).perform
+        command_class.new(Dir.getwd, options).execute
       end
 
     end
diff --git a/lib/compass/installers/base.rb b/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
index c70b77e6..d6483fcd 100644
--- a/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ module Compass
       attr_accessor :template_path, :target_path, :working_path
       attr_accessor :options
       attr_accessor :manifest
-      attr_accessor :css_dir, :sass_dir, :images_dir, :javascripts_dir
 
       def initialize(template_path, target_path, options = {})
         @template_path = template_path
@@ -17,13 +16,18 @@ module Compass
         @options = options
         @manifest = Manifest.new(manifest_file)
         self.logger = options[:logger]
-        configure
       end
 
       def manifest_file
         @manifest_file ||= File.join(template_path, "manifest.rb")
       end
 
+      [:css_dir, :sass_dir, :images_dir, :javascripts_dir].each do |dir|
+        define_method dir do
+          Compass.configuration.send(dir)
+        end
+      end
+
       # Initializes the project to work with compass
       def init
         dirs = manifest.map do |entry|
@@ -49,20 +53,6 @@ module Compass
         finalize unless options[:skip_finalization]
       end
 
-      # The default configure method -- it sets up directories from the options
-      # and corresponding default_* methods for those not found in the options hash.
-      # It can be overridden it or augmented for reading config files,
-      # prompting the user for more information, etc.
-      def configure
-        unless @configured
-          [:css_dir, :sass_dir, :images_dir, :javascripts_dir].each do |opt|
-            configure_option_with_default opt
-          end
-        end
-      ensure
-        @configured = true
-      end
-
       # The default prepare method -- it is a no-op.
       # Generally you would create required directories, etc.
       def prepare
diff --git a/lib/compass/installers/rails.rb b/lib/compass/installers/rails.rb
index f8846b0a..3f41210f 100644
--- a/lib/compass/installers/rails.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/installers/rails.rb
@@ -3,29 +3,27 @@ module Compass
     
     class RailsInstaller < Base
 
-      def configure
-        configuration_file = targetize('config/compass.config')
-        if File.exists?(configuration_file)
-          open(configuration_file) do |config|
-            eval(config.read, nil, configuration_file)
-          end
-        end
-        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
+      def configuration_defaults
+        {
+          :sass_dir => (sass_dir || prompt_sass_dir),
+          :css_dir => (css_dir || prompt_css_dir),
+          :images_dir => default_images_dir,
+          :javascripts_dir => default_javascripts_dir
+        }
       end
 
-      def init
-        set_sass_dir unless sass_dir
-        set_css_dir unless css_dir
-        super
+      def write_configuration_files
+        write_file targetize('config/compass.config'), config_contents
+        write_file targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'), initializer_contents
+      end
+
+      def config_files_exist?
+        File.exists?(targetize('config/compass.config')) &&
+        File.exists?(targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'))
       end
 
       def prepare
-        write_file(targetize('config/compass.config'), Compass.configuration.serialize do |prop, value|
-          if prop == :project_path
-            "project_path = RAILS_ROOT if defined?(RAILS_ROOT)\n"
-          end
-        end)
-        write_file targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'), initializer_contents
+        write_configuration_files unless config_files_exist?
       end
 
       def finalize(options = {})
@@ -45,33 +43,25 @@ NEXTSTEPS
         puts "\n(You are using haml, aren't you?)"
       end
 
-      def sass_dir
-        Compass.configuration.sass_dir
+      def default_images_dir
+        separate("public/images")
       end
 
-      def css_dir
-        Compass.configuration.css_dir
+      def default_javascripts_dir
+        separate("public/javascripts")
       end
 
-      def images_dir
-        separate "public/images"
-      end
-
-      def javascripts_dir
-        separate "public/javascripts"
-      end
-
-      def set_sass_dir
+      def prompt_sass_dir
         recommended_location = separate('app/stylesheets')
         default_location = separate('public/stylesheets/sass')
         print %Q{Compass recommends that you keep your stylesheets in #{recommended_location}
 instead of the Sass default location of #{default_location}.
 Is this OK? (Y/n) }
         answer = gets.downcase[0]
-        Compass.configuration.sass_dir = answer == ?n ? default_location : recommended_location
+        answer == ?n ? default_location : recommended_location
       end
 
-      def set_css_dir
+      def prompt_css_dir
         recommended_location = separate("public/stylesheets/compiled")
         default_location = separate("public/stylesheets")
         puts
@@ -80,7 +70,15 @@ instead the Sass default of #{default_location}/.
 However, if you're exclusively using Sass, then #{default_location}/ is recommended.
 Emit compiled stylesheets to #{recommended_location}/? (Y/n) }
         answer = gets.downcase[0]
-        Compass.configuration.css_dir = answer == ?n ? default_location : recommended_location
+        answer == ?n ? default_location : recommended_location
+      end
+
+      def config_contents
+        Compass.configuration.serialize do |prop, value|
+          if prop == :project_path
+            "project_path = RAILS_ROOT if defined?(RAILS_ROOT)\n"
+          end
+        end
       end
 
       def initializer_contents
diff --git a/lib/compass/installers/stand_alone.rb b/lib/compass/installers/stand_alone.rb
index 2a2402a5..115600c4 100644
--- a/lib/compass/installers/stand_alone.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/installers/stand_alone.rb
@@ -3,46 +3,33 @@ module Compass
     
     class StandAloneInstaller < Base
 
-      def configure
-        if File.exists?(config_file)
-          Compass.configuration.parse(config_file)
-        elsif File.exists?(old_config_file)
-          Compass.configuration.parse(old_config_file)
-        end
-        super
-      end
-
       def init
         directory targetize("")
         super
       end
 
+      def write_configuration_files
+        write_file targetize('config.rb'), config_contents
+      end
+
+      def config_files_exist?
+        File.exists? targetize('config.rb')
+      end
+
+      def config_contents
+        project_path, Compass.configuration.project_path = Compass.configuration.project_path, nil
+        Compass.configuration.serialize
+      ensure
+        Compass.configuration.project_path = project_path
+      end
+
       def prepare
+        write_configuration_files unless config_files_exist?
       end
 
-      def default_css_dir
-        Compass.configuration.css_dir || "stylesheets"
-      end
-
-      def default_sass_dir
-        Compass.configuration.sass_dir ||"src"
-      end
-
-      def default_images_dir
-        Compass.configuration.images_dir || "images"
-      end
-
-      def default_javascripts_dir
-        Compass.configuration.javascripts_dir || "javascripts"
-      end
-
-      # Read the configuration file for this project
-      def config_file
-        @config_file ||= targetize('config.rb')
-      end
-
-      def old_config_file
-        @old_config_file ||= targetize('src/config.rb')
+      # We want to rely on the defaults provided by Configuration
+      def configuration_defaults
+        {}
       end
 
       def finalize(options = {})