You said you don't know what you are doing, but you don't look like a beginner by any stretch of the imagination. I like your "cottage style" planter (window box), and you made a great choice with the bricks too, BTW. I'm new to container planting - if you ever need suggestions, the container gardening forum is a great place for advice (you seem to have more of a knack for it than I do, however). I also arranged a window box this year, and only recently transplanted into other containers...in doing so, I found that it was one big root system (I could pull it out in one piece and it was a 36" planter). Yikes! I had sweet potato vine, 2 coleus plants, black potato vine, alyssum, and ivy. I think it was the vines...huge root systems. So, next year I have to consider the number of plants in one planter - early in the season it will be ok, but as the roots grow the need for fertilizer and water increases with it (I learned the hard way). Have you considered planting clematis vines? I think they'd look fabulous on your balcony and it would be a great splash of color! You could grow them in pots up a small trellis or obelisk. Check out the clematis forum if you are interested. Are you open to constructive feedback? I think the bistro set would look spectacular if you positioned it more to the left or right, rather than direcly in the middle. Since your balcony is symmetrical, asymmetry would be a nice balance. And instead of the chairs being directly across from eachother, you can place them both facing outward (see my picture). This might not work for various reasons, and I can't tell where your "exit" is based on these pictures, but it doesn't hurt to play around with it and see what works. Good luck with decorating your balcony - it looks fabulous, and you've only just begun.

WOW! Welcome to hostadom! I don't know where you were shopping, but I wish I lived near there. None of the nurseries around here have those available..... Heavenly Tiara - love the Tiaras Flame Stitch - on my wish list Feather Boa - excellent choice Silver Threads Golden Needles - heard good things about this one Magic Fire - VERY high on my wish list Cameo - LOVE it White Feather - no clue Queen Josephine - love it Little Wonder - no clue Good luck with all of them and post photos soon!

Most definitely a scam. I'm a huge fan of CL and have always had great success with it - both buying and selling. People just need to be wise to the scammers and don't give them the time of day. Certainly, I've had my share of scammers, but they are so obvious, I delete them immediately. I had a local woman offer me $25 extra for my posted washer if she could have it over others I heard from before her. I took the offer, she picked up the washer, and it was a done deal. You just have to be savvy when dealing with CL people.

fairytalebaby, I'm so excited for you. I remember your beautiful setting when you posted over on Building a Home. When we picked out paint colors before we had furniture we also stuck to neutral. It's hard enough to choose paint when you have actual materials you are trying to match but without the furniture, neutrals are your friend. As for the ceiling. There is no rule, only personal preference. I was formally a white ceiling kinda gal but the more I looked at new homes and some beautiful shots here on Garden Web, the more I really wanted to try some color. I love it now and can't even imagine going back to white ceilings. I'm a total convert. Some like a 50% cut of their wall color. Some like light gray (like Ellen Kennon's Gustavian Gray) Some like cream. It's totally up to you! Good Luck and can't wait to see what you're picking out for your interior! Beautiful Home! Lindy