diff --git a/lib/couchrest/mixins/collection.rb b/lib/couchrest/mixins/collection.rb
index 696dae7..e4ebc70 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/mixins/collection.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/mixins/collection.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ module CouchRest
           class_eval <<-END, __FILE__, __LINE__ + 1
             def self.find_all_#{collection_name}(options = {})
               view_options = #{view_options.inspect} || {}
-              CollectionProxy.new(@database, "#{design_doc}", "#{view_name}", view_options.merge(options), Kernel.const_get('#{self}'))
+              CollectionProxy.new(database, "#{design_doc}", "#{view_name}", view_options.merge(options), Kernel.const_get('#{self}'))
             end
           END
         end
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ module CouchRest
 
         def create_collection_proxy(options)
           design_doc, view_name, view_options = parse_view_options(options)
-          CollectionProxy.new(@database, design_doc, view_name, view_options, self)
+          CollectionProxy.new(database, design_doc, view_name, view_options, self)
         end
 
         def parse_view_options(options)
diff --git a/lib/couchrest/mixins/properties.rb b/lib/couchrest/mixins/properties.rb
index 9a9c3a4..bb2264e 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/mixins/properties.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/mixins/properties.rb
@@ -1,24 +1,6 @@
 require 'time'
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), '..', 'more', 'property')
-
-class Time                       
-  # returns a local time value much faster than Time.parse
-  def self.mktime_with_offset(string)
-    string =~ /(\d{4})[\-|\/](\d{2})[\-|\/](\d{2})[T|\s](\d{2}):(\d{2}):(\d{2})([\+|\s|\-])*(\d{2}):?(\d{2})/
-    # $1 = year
-    # $2 = month
-    # $3 = day
-    # $4 = hours
-    # $5 = minutes
-    # $6 = seconds
-    # $7 = time zone direction
-    # $8 = tz difference
-    # utc time with wrong TZ info: 
-    time = mktime($1, RFC2822_MONTH_NAME[$2.to_i - 1], $3, $4, $5, $6, $7)
-    tz_difference = ("#{$7 == '-' ? '+' : '-'}#{$8}".to_i * 3600)
-    time + tz_difference + zone_offset(time.zone) 
-  end 
-end
+require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), '..', 'more', 'typecast')
 
 module CouchRest
   module Mixins
@@ -26,6 +8,8 @@ module CouchRest
       
       class IncludeError < StandardError; end
       
+      include ::CouchRest::More::Typecast
+
       def self.included(base)
         base.class_eval <<-EOS, __FILE__, __LINE__ + 1
             extlib_inheritable_accessor(:properties) unless self.respond_to?(:properties)
@@ -67,28 +51,24 @@ module CouchRest
         return unless self[key]
         if property.type.is_a?(Array)
           klass = ::CouchRest.constantize(property.type[0])
-          arr = self[key].dup.collect do |value|
-            unless value.instance_of?(klass)
-              value = convert_property_value(property, klass, value)
-            end
+          self[key] = [self[key]] unless self[key].is_a?(Array)
+          arr = self[key].collect do |value|
+            value = typecast_value(value, klass, property.init_method)
             associate_casted_to_parent(value, assigned)
             value
           end
           self[key] = klass != String ? CastedArray.new(arr) : arr
           self[key].casted_by = self if self[key].respond_to?(:casted_by)
         else
-          if property.type == 'boolean'
+          if property.type.downcase == 'boolean'
             klass = TrueClass
           else
             klass = ::CouchRest.constantize(property.type)
           end
           
-          unless self[key].instance_of?(klass)
-            self[key] = convert_property_value(property, klass, self[property.name])
-          end
-          associate_casted_to_parent(self[property.name], assigned)
+          self[key] = typecast_value(self[key], klass, property.init_method)
+          associate_casted_to_parent(self[key], assigned)
         end
-        
       end
       
       def associate_casted_to_parent(casted, assigned)
@@ -96,21 +76,6 @@ module CouchRest
         casted.document_saved = true if !assigned && casted.respond_to?(:document_saved)
       end
       
-      def convert_property_value(property, klass, value)
-        if ((property.init_method == 'new') && klass == Time)
-          # Using custom time parsing method because Ruby's default method is toooo slow
-          value.is_a?(String) ? Time.mktime_with_offset(value.dup) : value
-        # Float instances don't get initialized with #new
-        elsif ((property.init_method == 'new') && klass == Float)
-          cast_float(value)
-          # 'boolean' type is simply used to generate a property? accessor method
-        elsif ((property.init_method == 'new') && klass == TrueClass)
-          value
-        else
-          klass.send(property.init_method, value.dup)
-        end
-      end
-      
       def cast_property_by_name(property_name)
         return unless self.class.properties
         property = self.class.properties.detect{|property| property.name == property_name}
@@ -118,14 +83,7 @@ module CouchRest
         cast_property(property, true)
       end
       
-      def cast_float(value)
-        begin 
-          Float(value)
-        rescue
-          value
-        end
-      end
-      
+     
       module ClassMethods
         
         def property(name, options={})
@@ -141,7 +99,7 @@ module CouchRest
           # make sure to use a mutex.
           def define_property(name, options={})
             # check if this property is going to casted
-            options[:casted] = options[:cast_as] ? options[:cast_as] : false
+            options[:casted] = !!(options[:cast_as] || options[:type])
             property = CouchRest::Property.new(name, (options.delete(:cast_as) || options.delete(:type)), options)
             create_property_getter(property) 
             create_property_setter(property) unless property.read_only == true
diff --git a/lib/couchrest/more/extended_document.rb b/lib/couchrest/more/extended_document.rb
index c6f3c85..aa1977b 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/more/extended_document.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/more/extended_document.rb
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ module CouchRest
     include CouchRest::Mixins::ExtendedAttachments
     include CouchRest::Mixins::ClassProxy
     include CouchRest::Mixins::Collection
-		include CouchRest::Mixins::AttributeProtection
+    include CouchRest::Mixins::AttributeProtection
 
     def self.subclasses
       @subclasses ||= []
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ module CouchRest
       unless self['_id'] && self['_rev']
         self['couchrest-type'] = self.class.to_s
       end
+      after_initialize if respond_to?(:after_initialize)
     end
     
     # Defines an instance and save it directly to the database 
@@ -84,9 +85,9 @@ module CouchRest
     # on the document whenever saving occurs. CouchRest uses a pretty
     # decent time format by default. See Time#to_json
     def self.timestamps!
-      class_eval <<-EOS, __FILE__, __LINE__ + 1
-        property(:updated_at, :read_only => true, :cast_as => 'Time', :auto_validation => false)
-        property(:created_at, :read_only => true, :cast_as => 'Time', :auto_validation => false)
+      class_eval <<-EOS, __FILE__, __LINE__
+        property(:updated_at, :read_only => true, :type => 'Time', :auto_validation => false)
+        property(:created_at, :read_only => true, :type => 'Time', :auto_validation => false)
         
         set_callback :save, :before do |object|
           object['updated_at'] = Time.now
diff --git a/lib/couchrest/more/property.rb b/lib/couchrest/more/property.rb
index efede74..88ce725 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/more/property.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/more/property.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 module CouchRest
-  
+
   # Basic attribute support for adding getter/setter + validation
   class Property
     attr_reader :name, :type, :read_only, :alias, :default, :casted, :init_method, :options
-    
+
     # attribute to define
     def initialize(name, type = nil, options = {})
       @name = name.to_s
@@ -11,20 +11,19 @@ module CouchRest
       parse_options(options)
       self
     end
-    
-    
+
     private
-    
+
       def parse_type(type)
         if type.nil?
           @type = 'String'
         elsif type.is_a?(Array) && type.empty?
-          @type = 'Array'
+          @type = ['Object']
         else
           @type = type.is_a?(Array) ? [type.first.to_s] : type.to_s
         end
       end
-      
+
       def parse_options(options)
         return if options.empty?
         @validation_format  = options.delete(:format)     if options[:format]
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ module CouchRest
         @init_method        = options[:init_method] ? options.delete(:init_method) : 'new'
         @options            = options
       end
-    
+
   end
 end
 
@@ -56,4 +55,4 @@ class CastedArray < Array
     obj.casted_by = self.casted_by if obj.respond_to?(:casted_by)
     super(index, obj)
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/lib/couchrest/more/typecast.rb b/lib/couchrest/more/typecast.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f866b7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/couchrest/more/typecast.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+require 'time'
+require 'bigdecimal'
+require 'bigdecimal/util'
+require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), '..', 'more', 'property')
+
+class Time                       
+  # returns a local time value much faster than Time.parse
+  def self.mktime_with_offset(string)
+    string =~ /(\d{4})[\-|\/](\d{2})[\-|\/](\d{2})[T|\s](\d{2}):(\d{2}):(\d{2})([\+|\s|\-])*(\d{2}):?(\d{2})/
+    # $1 = year
+    # $2 = month
+    # $3 = day
+    # $4 = hours
+    # $5 = minutes
+    # $6 = seconds
+    # $7 = time zone direction
+    # $8 = tz difference
+    # utc time with wrong TZ info: 
+    time = mktime($1, RFC2822_MONTH_NAME[$2.to_i - 1], $3, $4, $5, $6, $7)
+    tz_difference = ("#{$7 == '-' ? '+' : '-'}#{$8}".to_i * 3600)
+    time + tz_difference + zone_offset(time.zone) 
+  end 
+end
+
+module CouchRest
+  module More
+    module Typecast
+
+      def typecast_value(value, klass, init_method)
+        return nil if value.nil?
+
+        if value.instance_of?(klass) || klass.to_s == 'Object'
+          value 
+        elsif ['String', 'TrueClass', 'Integer', 'Float', 'BigDecimal', 'DateTime', 'Time', 'Date', 'Class'].include?(klass.to_s)
+          send('typecast_to_'+klass.to_s.downcase, value)
+        else
+          # Allow the init_method to be defined as a Proc for advanced conversion
+          init_method.is_a?(Proc) ? init_method.call(value) : klass.send(init_method, value)
+        end
+      end
+
+      protected
+
+        # Typecast a value to an Integer
+        def typecast_to_integer(value)
+          value.kind_of?(Integer) ? value : typecast_to_numeric(value, :to_i)
+        end
+
+        # Typecast a value to a String
+        def typecast_to_string(value)
+          value.to_s
+        end
+
+        # Typecast a value to a true or false
+        def typecast_to_trueclass(value)
+          if value.kind_of?(Integer)
+            return true  if value == 1
+            return false if value == 0
+          elsif value.respond_to?(:to_s)
+            return true  if %w[ true  1 t ].include?(value.to_s.downcase)
+            return false if %w[ false 0 f ].include?(value.to_s.downcase)
+          end
+          value
+        end
+
+        # Typecast a value to a BigDecimal
+        def typecast_to_bigdecimal(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(BigDecimal)
+
+          if value.kind_of?(Integer)
+            value.to_s.to_d
+          else
+            typecast_to_numeric(value, :to_d)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Typecast a value to a Float
+        def typecast_to_float(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(Float)
+          typecast_to_numeric(value, :to_f)
+        end
+
+        # Match numeric string
+        def typecast_to_numeric(value, method)
+          if value.respond_to?(:to_str)
+            if value.to_str =~ /\A(-?(?:0|[1-9]\d*)(?:\.\d+)?|(?:\.\d+))\z/
+              $1.send(method)
+            else
+              value
+            end
+          elsif value.respond_to?(method)
+            value.send(method)
+          else
+            value
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Typecasts an arbitrary value to a DateTime.
+        # Handles both Hashes and DateTime instances.
+        def typecast_to_datetime(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(DateTime)
+
+          if value.is_a?(Hash)
+            typecast_hash_to_datetime(value)
+          else
+            DateTime.parse(value.to_s)
+          end
+        rescue ArgumentError
+          value
+        end
+
+        # Typecasts an arbitrary value to a Date
+        # Handles both Hashes and Date instances.
+        def typecast_to_date(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(Date)
+
+          if value.is_a?(Hash)
+            typecast_hash_to_date(value)
+          else
+            Date.parse(value.to_s)
+          end
+        rescue ArgumentError
+          value
+        end
+
+        # Typecasts an arbitrary value to a Time
+        # Handles both Hashes and Time instances.
+        def typecast_to_time(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(Time)
+
+          if value.is_a?(Hash)
+            typecast_hash_to_time(value)
+          else
+            Time.mktime_with_offset(value.to_s)
+          end
+        rescue ArgumentError
+          value
+        rescue TypeError
+          value
+        end
+
+        # Creates a DateTime instance from a Hash with keys :year, :month, :day,
+        # :hour, :min, :sec
+        def typecast_hash_to_datetime(value)
+          DateTime.new(*extract_time(value))
+        end
+
+        # Creates a Date instance from a Hash with keys :year, :month, :day
+        def typecast_hash_to_date(value)
+          Date.new(*extract_time(value)[0, 3])
+        end
+
+        # Creates a Time instance from a Hash with keys :year, :month, :day,
+        # :hour, :min, :sec
+        def typecast_hash_to_time(value)
+          Time.local(*extract_time(value))
+        end
+
+        # Extracts the given args from the hash. If a value does not exist, it
+        # uses the value of Time.now.
+        def extract_time(value)
+          now  = Time.now
+
+          [:year, :month, :day, :hour, :min, :sec].map do |segment|
+            typecast_to_numeric(value.fetch(segment, now.send(segment)), :to_i)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Typecast a value to a Class
+        def typecast_to_class(value)
+          return value if value.kind_of?(Class)
+          ::CouchRest.constantize(value.to_s)
+        rescue NameError
+          value
+        end
+
+    end
+  end
+end
+
diff --git a/lib/couchrest/validation/validators/required_field_validator.rb b/lib/couchrest/validation/validators/required_field_validator.rb
index d8edd81..0c64ccf 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/validation/validators/required_field_validator.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/validation/validators/required_field_validator.rb
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ module CouchRest
 
       def call(target)
         value = target.validation_property_value(field_name)
-        property = target.validation_property(field_name)
+        property = target.validation_property(field_name.to_s)
         return true if present?(value, property)
 
         error_message = @options[:message] || default_error(property)
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ module CouchRest
       # Returns false for other property types.
       # Returns false for non-properties.
       def boolean_type?(property)
-        property ? property.type == TrueClass : false
+        property ? property.type == 'Boolean' : false
       end
 
     end # class RequiredFieldValidator
diff --git a/spec/couchrest/more/casted_model_spec.rb b/spec/couchrest/more/casted_model_spec.rb
index a2a8a96..704b85c 100644
--- a/spec/couchrest/more/casted_model_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/couchrest/more/casted_model_spec.rb
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class WithCastedModelMixin < Hash
   include CouchRest::CastedModel
   property :name
   property :no_value
-  property :details,          :default => {}
+  property :details, :type => 'Object', :default => {}
   property :casted_attribute, :cast_as => 'WithCastedModelMixin'
 end
 
diff --git a/spec/couchrest/more/extended_doc_spec.rb b/spec/couchrest/more/extended_doc_spec.rb
index f055576..f4ac00c 100644
--- a/spec/couchrest/more/extended_doc_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/couchrest/more/extended_doc_spec.rb
@@ -9,11 +9,11 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument" do
   
   class WithDefaultValues < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
     use_database TEST_SERVER.default_database
-    property :preset,       :default => {:right => 10, :top_align => false}
-    property :set_by_proc,  :default => Proc.new{Time.now},       :cast_as => 'Time'
-    property :tags,         :default => []
+    property :preset, :type => 'Object', :default => {:right => 10, :top_align => false}
+    property :set_by_proc, :default => Proc.new{Time.now}, :cast_as => 'Time'
+    property :tags, :type => ['String'], :default => []
     property :read_only_with_default, :default => 'generic', :read_only => true
-    property :default_false, :default => false
+    property :default_false, :type => 'Boolean', :default => false
     property :name
     timestamps!
   end
@@ -104,6 +104,18 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument" do
       self.other_arg = "foo-#{value}"
     end
   end
+
+  class WithAfterInitializeMethod < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
+    use_database TEST_SERVER.default_database
+    
+    property :some_value
+
+    def after_initialize
+      self.some_value ||= "value"
+    end
+
+  end
+
   
   before(:each) do
     @obj = WithDefaultValues.new
@@ -383,7 +395,7 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument" do
         "professor" => {
           "name" => ["Mark", "Hinchliff"]
         },
-        "final_test_at" => "2008/12/19 13:00:00 +0800"
+        "ends_at" => "2008/12/19 13:00:00 +0800"
       }
       r = Course.database.save_doc course_doc
       @course = Course.get r['id']
@@ -394,8 +406,8 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument" do
     it "should instantiate the professor as a person" do
       @course['professor'].last_name.should == "Hinchliff"
     end
-    it "should instantiate the final_test_at as a Time" do
-      @course['final_test_at'].should == Time.parse("2008/12/19 13:00:00 +0800")
+    it "should instantiate the ends_at as a Time" do
+      @course['ends_at'].should == Time.parse("2008/12/19 13:00:00 +0800")
     end
   end
   
@@ -698,6 +710,13 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument" do
       @doc.other_arg.should == "foo-foo"
     end
   end
+
+  describe "initialization" do
+    it "should call after_initialize method if available" do
+      @doc = WithAfterInitializeMethod.new
+      @doc['some_value'].should eql('value')
+    end
+  end
   
   describe "recursive validation on an extended document" do
     before :each do
diff --git a/spec/couchrest/more/property_spec.rb b/spec/couchrest/more/property_spec.rb
index 0e25916..71adfcd 100644
--- a/spec/couchrest/more/property_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/couchrest/more/property_spec.rb
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'service')
 require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'event')
 require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'cat')
 require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'user')
+require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'course')
 
 
 describe "ExtendedDocument properties" do
@@ -42,11 +43,11 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument properties" do
   
   it "should let you use an alias for a casted attribute" do
     @card.cast_alias = Person.new(:name => "Aimonetti")
-    @card.cast_alias.name.should == "Aimonetti"
-    @card.calias.name.should == "Aimonetti"
+    @card.cast_alias.name.should == ["Aimonetti"]
+    @card.calias.name.should == ["Aimonetti"]
     card = Card.new(:first_name => "matt", :cast_alias => {:name => "Aimonetti"})
-    card.cast_alias.name.should == "Aimonetti"
-    card.calias.name.should == "Aimonetti"
+    card.cast_alias.name.should == ["Aimonetti"]
+    card.calias.name.should == ["Aimonetti"]
   end
   
   it "should be auto timestamped" do
@@ -155,111 +156,449 @@ describe "ExtendedDocument properties" do
       end
     end
   end
-  
+ 
   describe "casting" do
-    describe "cast keys to any type" do
-      before(:all) do
-        event_doc = { :subject => "Some event", :occurs_at => Time.now, :end_date => Date.today }
-        e = Event.database.save_doc event_doc
+    before(:each) do
+      @course = Course.new(:title => 'Relaxation')
+    end
 
-        @event = Event.get e['id']
+    describe "when value is nil" do
+      it "leaves the value unchanged" do
+        @course.title = nil
+        @course['title'].should == nil
       end
-      it "should cast occurs_at to Time" do
-        @event['occurs_at'].should be_an_instance_of(Time)
+    end
+
+    describe "when type primitive is an Object" do
+      it "it should not cast given value" do
+        @course.participants = [{}, 'q', 1]
+        @course['participants'].should eql([{}, 'q', 1])
       end
-      it "should cast end_date to Date" do
-        @event['end_date'].should be_an_instance_of(Date)
+
+      it "should cast started_on to Date" do
+        @course.started_on = Date.today
+        @course['started_on'].should be_an_instance_of(Date)
       end
     end
     
-    describe "casting to Float object" do
-      class RootBeerFloat < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
-        use_database DB
-        property :price, :cast_as => 'Float'
+    describe "when type primitive is a String" do
+      it "keeps string value unchanged" do
+        value = "1.0"
+        @course.title = value
+        @course['title'].should equal(value)
       end
       
-      it "should convert a string into a float if casted as so" do
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:price => '12.50').price.should == 12.50
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:price => '9').price.should == 9.0
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:price => '-9').price.should == -9.0
+      it "it casts to string representation of the value" do
+        @course.title = 1.0
+        @course['title'].should eql("1.0")
       end
-      
-      it "should not convert a string if it's not a string that can be cast as a float" do
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:price => 'test').price.should == 'test'
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Float' do
+      it 'returns same value if a float' do
+        value = 24.0
+        @course.estimate = value
+        @course['estimate'].should equal(value)
       end
-      
-      it "should work fine when a float is being passed" do
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:price => 9.99).price.should == 9.99
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a zero string integer' do
+        @course.estimate = '0'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a positive string integer' do
+        @course.estimate = '24'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(24.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a negative string integer' do
+        @course.estimate = '-24'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(-24.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a zero string float' do
+        @course.estimate = '0.0'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a positive string float' do
+        @course.estimate = '24.35'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(24.35)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a negative string float' do
+        @course.estimate = '-24.35'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(-24.35)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a zero string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.estimate = '.0'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a positive string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.estimate = '.41'
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.41)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a zero integer' do
+        @course.estimate = 0
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a positive integer' do
+        @course.estimate = 24
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(24.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a negative integer' do
+        @course.estimate = -24
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(-24.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a zero decimal' do
+        @course.estimate = BigDecimal('0.0')
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(0.0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a positive decimal' do
+        @course.estimate = BigDecimal('24.35')
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(24.35)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns float representation of a negative decimal' do
+        @course.estimate = BigDecimal('-24.35')
+        @course['estimate'].should eql(-24.35)
+      end
+
+      [ Object.new, true, '00.0', '0.', '-.0', 'string' ].each do |value|
+        it "does not typecast non-numeric value #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.estimate = value
+          @course['estimate'].should equal(value)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Integer' do
+      it 'returns same value if an integer' do
+        value = 24
+        @course.hours = value
+        @course['hours'].should equal(value)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a zero string integer' do
+        @course.hours = '0'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a positive string integer' do
+        @course.hours = '24'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a negative string integer' do
+        @course.hours = '-24'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(-24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a zero string float' do
+        @course.hours = '0.0'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a positive string float' do
+        @course.hours = '24.35'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a negative string float' do
+        @course.hours = '-24.35'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(-24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a zero string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.hours = '.0'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a positive string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.hours = '.41'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a zero float' do
+        @course.hours = 0.0
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a positive float' do
+        @course.hours = 24.35
+        @course['hours'].should eql(24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a negative float' do
+        @course.hours = -24.35
+        @course['hours'].should eql(-24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a zero decimal' do
+        @course.hours = '0.0'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(0)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a positive decimal' do
+        @course.hours = '24.35'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(24)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns integer representation of a negative decimal' do
+        @course.hours = '-24.35'
+        @course['hours'].should eql(-24)
+      end
+
+      [ Object.new, true, '00.0', '0.', '-.0', 'string' ].each do |value|
+        it "does not typecast non-numeric value #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.hours = value
+          @course['hours'].should equal(value)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a BigDecimal' do
+      it 'returns same value if a decimal' do
+        value = BigDecimal('24.0')
+        @course.profit = value
+        @course['profit'].should equal(value)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a zero string integer' do
+        @course.profit = '0'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a positive string integer' do
+        @course.profit = '24'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('24.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a negative string integer' do
+        @course.profit = '-24'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('-24.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a zero string float' do
+        @course.profit = '0.0'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a positive string float' do
+        @course.profit = '24.35'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('24.35'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a negative string float' do
+        @course.profit = '-24.35'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('-24.35'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a zero string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.profit = '.0'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a positive string float, with no leading digits' do
+        @course.profit = '.41'
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.41'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a zero integer' do
+        @course.profit = 0
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a positive integer' do
+        @course.profit = 24
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('24.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a negative integer' do
+        @course.profit = -24
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('-24.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a zero float' do
+        @course.profit = 0.0
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('0.0'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a positive float' do
+        @course.profit = 24.35
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('24.35'))
+      end
+
+      it 'returns decimal representation of a negative float' do
+        @course.profit = -24.35
+        @course['profit'].should eql(BigDecimal('-24.35'))
+      end
+
+      [ Object.new, true, '00.0', '0.', '-.0', 'string' ].each do |value|
+        it "does not typecast non-numeric value #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.profit = value
+          @course['profit'].should equal(value)
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a DateTime' do
+      describe 'and value given as a hash with keys like :year, :month, etc' do
+        it 'builds a DateTime instance from hash values' do
+          @course.updated_at = {
+            :year  => '2006',
+            :month => '11',
+            :day   => '23',
+            :hour  => '12',
+            :min   => '0',
+            :sec   => '0'
+          }
+          result = @course['updated_at']
+
+          result.should be_kind_of(DateTime)
+          result.year.should eql(2006)
+          result.month.should eql(11)
+          result.day.should eql(23)
+          result.hour.should eql(12)
+          result.min.should eql(0)
+          result.sec.should eql(0)
+        end
+      end
+
+      describe 'and value is a string' do
+        it 'parses the string' do
+          @course.updated_at = 'Dec, 2006'
+          @course['updated_at'].month.should == 12
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'does not typecast non-datetime values' do
+        @course.updated_at = 'not-datetime'
+        @course['updated_at'].should eql('not-datetime')
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Date' do
+      describe 'and value given as a hash with keys like :year, :month, etc' do
+        it 'builds a Date instance from hash values' do
+          @course.started_on = {
+            :year  => '2007',
+            :month => '3',
+            :day   => '25'
+          }
+          result = @course['started_on']
+
+          result.should be_kind_of(Date)
+          result.year.should eql(2007)
+          result.month.should eql(3)
+          result.day.should eql(25)
+        end
+      end
+
+      describe 'and value is a string' do
+        it 'parses the string' do
+          @course.started_on = 'Dec 20th, 2006'
+          @course.started_on.month.should == 12
+          @course.started_on.day.should == 20
+          @course.started_on.year.should == 2006
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'does not typecast non-date values' do
+        @course.started_on = 'not-date'
+        @course['started_on'].should eql('not-date')
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Time' do
+      describe 'and value given as a hash with keys like :year, :month, etc' do
+        it 'builds a Time instance from hash values' do
+          @course.ends_at = {
+            :year  => '2006',
+            :month => '11',
+            :day   => '23',
+            :hour  => '12',
+            :min   => '0',
+            :sec   => '0'
+          }
+          result = @course['ends_at']
+
+          result.should be_kind_of(Time)
+          result.year.should  eql(2006)
+          result.month.should eql(11)
+          result.day.should   eql(23)
+          result.hour.should  eql(12)
+          result.min.should   eql(0)
+          result.sec.should   eql(0)
+        end
+      end
+
+      describe 'and value is a string' do
+        it 'parses the string' do
+          t = Time.now
+          @course.ends_at = t.strftime('%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S %z')
+          @course['ends_at'].year.should  eql(t.year)
+          @course['ends_at'].month.should eql(t.month)
+          @course['ends_at'].day.should   eql(t.day)
+          @course['ends_at'].hour.should  eql(t.hour)
+          @course['ends_at'].min.should   eql(t.min)
+          @course['ends_at'].sec.should   eql(t.sec)
+        end
+      end
+
+      it 'does not typecast non-time values' do
+        @course.ends_at = 'not-time'
+        @course['ends_at'].should eql('not-time')
+      end
+    end
+
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Class' do
+      it 'returns same value if a class' do
+        value = Course
+        @course.klass = value
+        @course['klass'].should equal(value)
+      end
+
+      it 'returns the class if found' do
+        @course.klass = 'Course'
+        @course['klass'].should eql(Course)
+      end
+
+      it 'does not typecast non-class values' do
+        @course.klass = 'NoClass'
+        @course['klass'].should eql('NoClass')
       end
     end
     
-    describe "casting to a boolean value" do
-      class RootBeerFloat < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
-        use_database DB
-        property :tasty, :cast_as => :boolean
+    describe 'when type primitive is a Boolean' do
+      [ true, 'true', 'TRUE', '1', 1, 't', 'T' ].each do |value|
+        it "returns true when value is #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.active = value
+          @course['active'].should be_true
+        end
       end
 
-      it "should add an accessor with a '?' for boolean attributes that returns true or false" do
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => true).tasty?.should == true
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 'you bet').tasty?.should == true
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 123).tasty?.should == true
-
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => false).tasty?.should == false
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 'false').tasty?.should == false
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 'FaLsE').tasty?.should == false
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => nil).tasty?.should == false
+      [ false, 'false', 'FALSE', '0', 0, 'f', 'F' ].each do |value|
+        it "returns false when value is #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.active = value
+          @course['active'].should be_false
+        end
       end
 
-      it "should return the real value when the default accessor is used" do
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => true).tasty.should == true
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 'you bet').tasty.should == 'you bet'
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 123).tasty.should == 123
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => 'false').tasty.should == 'false'
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => false).tasty.should == false
-        RootBeerFloat.new(:tasty => nil).tasty.should == nil
+      [ 'string', 2, 1.0, BigDecimal('1.0'), DateTime.now, Time.now, Date.today, Class, Object.new, ].each do |value|
+        it "does not typecast value #{value.inspect}" do
+          @course.active = value
+          @course['active'].should equal(value)
+        end
       end
     end
-
-  end
-end
-
-describe "a newly created casted model" do
-  before(:each) do
-    reset_test_db!
-    @cat = Cat.new(:name => 'Toonces')
-    @squeaky_mouse = CatToy.new(:name => 'Squeaky')
-  end
-  
-  describe "assigned assigned to a casted property" do
-    it "should have casted_by set to its parent" do
-      @squeaky_mouse.casted_by.should be_nil
-      @cat.favorite_toy = @squeaky_mouse
-      @squeaky_mouse.casted_by.should === @cat
-    end
-  end
-  
-  describe "appended to a casted collection" do
-    it "should have casted_by set to its parent" do
-      @squeaky_mouse.casted_by.should be_nil
-      @cat.toys << @squeaky_mouse
-      @squeaky_mouse.casted_by.should === @cat
-      @cat.save
-      @cat.toys.first.casted_by.should === @cat
-    end
-  end
-  
-  describe "list assigned to a casted collection" do
-    it "should have casted_by set on all elements" do
-      toy1 = CatToy.new(:name => 'Feather')
-      toy2 = CatToy.new(:name => 'Mouse')
-      @cat.toys = [toy1, toy2]
-      toy1.casted_by.should === @cat
-      toy2.casted_by.should === @cat
-      @cat.save
-      @cat = Cat.get(@cat.id)
-      @cat.toys[0].casted_by.should === @cat
-      @cat.toys[1].casted_by.should === @cat
-    end
   end
 end
 
@@ -286,4 +625,4 @@ describe "a casted model retrieved from the database" do
       @cat.toys[1].casted_by.should === @cat
     end
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/article.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/article.rb
index dbc9e8c..0185d3b 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/article.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/article.rb
@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@ class Article < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
         return sum(values);
       }"  
 
-  property :date
+  property :date, :type => 'Date'
   property :slug, :read_only => true
   property :title
-  property :tags
+  property :tags, :type => ['String']
 
   timestamps!
   
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/course.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/course.rb
index b639d34..f340469 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/course.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/course.rb
@@ -4,11 +4,19 @@ require File.join(FIXTURE_PATH, 'more', 'person')
 class Course < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
   use_database TEST_SERVER.default_database
   
-  property :title
-  property :questions,      :cast_as => ['Question']
-  property :professor,      :cast_as => 'Person'
-  property :final_test_at,  :cast_as => 'Time'
+  property :title, :cast_as => 'String'
+  property :questions, :cast_as => ['Question']
+  property :professor, :cast_as => 'Person'
+  property :participants, :type => ['Object']
+  property :ends_at, :type => 'Time'
+  property :estimate, :type => 'Float'
+  property :hours, :type => 'Integer'
+  property :profit, :type => 'BigDecimal'
+  property :started_on, :type => 'Date'
+  property :updated_at, :type => 'DateTime'
+  property :active, :type => 'Boolean'
+  property :klass, :type => 'Class'
   
   view_by :title
   view_by :dept, :ducktype => true
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/event.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/event.rb
index 97aa248..81a4cba 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/event.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/event.rb
@@ -5,5 +5,4 @@ class Event < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
   property :occurs_at, :cast_as => 'Time', :init_method => 'parse'
   property :end_date,  :cast_as => 'Date', :init_method => 'parse'
   
-  
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/person.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/person.rb
index de9e72c..b200cb4 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/person.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/person.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 class Person < Hash
   include ::CouchRest::CastedModel
-  property :name
   property :pet, :cast_as => 'Cat'
+  property :name, :type => ['String']
   
   def last_name
     name.last
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/question.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/question.rb
index bec7803..0d29e21 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/question.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/question.rb
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ class Question < Hash
   include ::CouchRest::CastedModel
   
   property :q
-  property :a
+  property :a, :type => 'Object'
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/more/service.rb b/spec/fixtures/more/service.rb
index 6ecf276..77b28ef 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/more/service.rb
+++ b/spec/fixtures/more/service.rb
@@ -7,6 +7,6 @@ class Service < CouchRest::ExtendedDocument
   
   # Official Schema
   property :name, :length => 4...20
-  property :price, :type => Integer
+  property :price, :type => 'Integer'
   
 end
\ No newline at end of file