Alotofplants, often what happens with many ideas about clematis is that what was initially thought about them came from the British and their experience with them. This information is parroted along by everyone and it often takes a long time to get the information corrected. (As far as googling to get information on the web, you can probably find information out there that will support any position.) As an example about info that is parroted about clematis, take for example the idea that clematis are difficult plants to grow. Nothing is further from the truth especially if you give them what they need and you choose a variety that is suited to your area. The same is true about how some types of clematis are better suited to growing in a conservatory. Clematis fremontii and other similar types are grown in England either inside or in containers because they have trouble with them dieing off over the winter. I took this information to heart and planted my fremontii in a pot based on that information. I then learned of quite a few people here in the states, some in the cold north, who have been growing theirs outside in the ground for several years. As a result, mine are now in the ground and are doing fine. Yet, another myth out there circulating is that clematis need cool root runs. What they like is the moisture that is associated with cool root runs, that is moisture. The plants can exist in pots that get quite hot in the summer if they are provided the moisture, which is what they really need. Janet, if you look in Edith's book, you will also see that she says the following: "The only exception to the rule of not adding lime would be if you live in an area that has a major calcium deficiency. Have your soil tested by a professional soil lab and add lime only if their findings reccomend that you do so." Perhaps this is your issue lotsofplants. Perhaps a soil test would show that your soil lacks calcium that it is getting from the lime and that is what your plant is lacking, not the affect the lime has on your soil pH. I garden in acidic clay soil, have tons of clematis, and have never added lime to my soil. How can I grow them in acidic soil and you not? Perhaps the issue is calcium or some other deficiency in your soil that is being helped by a microcomponent in the lime and not the pH affect caused by the lime. Edith goes on to say: "I have found that in this country it is better to grow clematis in the more acidic planting situation of a pH of 6.5. Growing clematis in an acidic location is important for gardeners who live in areas where there is little rainfall." In another section of her book, Edith states that lime can inhibit clematis from utilizing essential nutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc from the soil. The bottom line is that unless you have investigated your soil conditions via a soil test, you don't really know if the lime is doing anything for your clematis or whether it is really needed. Something else may be the actual cause of clematis failing to thrive and lime may be just adding that extra ingredient. The pH affect may be totally unrelated. Excuse my insistence on fact and investigation, but it comes from graduating college with a chemistry major and biology minor. I am a science nerd and proud of it! LOL

Lowes. OK - they brought the units out, put them on the platform we made, we assumed they did what they're suppposed to do & left. We didn't stand there watching because we'd just moved into the house & had plenty to do elsewhere and, hey, how hard can it be? Later that day - excited to see the "bubble show" through that big, beautiful window - I attempted a load. NOTHING. Not to panic - it just was not plugged in. Also, while my husband had it pulled out to plug in, he found that the dryer vent was not attached to the dryer - the wall, yes - not the back of the dryer. Turns out there is sort of a "cone" where you attach to & the hose slid off. (Not sure how he fixed that) It's at this point that we realize that they did not leave us a manual for the washer. We call & they say they'll get us one. In the meantime, we go online to find out what else needs to be done - like LEVELING. My husband does that and finally we're good to go. The story is a lot longer because we have a BIG mix-up with the refrigerator but at some point in there we get the manual - but not before I have to call the store manager a couple of times with questions about error messages (we had a problem with some sediment causing E02 errors - now fixed) for him to look up. SO - in the end, we love the machines, Lowes tried their best to make things right - it was just a series of freaky problems that weren't their fault - and we are happy customers. OH - the platform works like a charm - no vibrations & the additional height is great! Good luck with yours - great design!

WOW mjlb - some great ideas. I've always had one vision in my head but this is a wonderful place where strangers come up with great ideas. Now I need to wrap my head around it. Why the tub/shower and not just a shower? I thought most people would prefer only a shower. This is an old house that was changed over the years. Original brick house built somewhere 1835 - 1845 (it was always listed 1825 but old maps did not show it then). Addition - where this room is located was added 1860's or so and then converted it into a 2 family in 1914 and this room into a kitchen. I think the addition was the summer kitchen and this was a servant's room. The "small" room turned into the pantry for the 2nd floor kitchen in 1914. The doorway into the main house was added when converted into a 2 family. The wall where the bed would go isn't flat but I may be able to work around it (sent DH and DS to take measurements and was surprised they weren't more exact). The window part jets out a little plus the "pillar" made of brick. Here are more pictures of the room Looking into the new guest bath Pantry built in I would like to keep but open up the top. Maybe I could put the frig on the right side where the sink will be located? I hate to remove the drawers. Should I strip the paint (sandblast?) off the brick? It's painted now but in a few places it's peeling.

I also thought about doing panels on those two windows and stacked back to the outsides. But if you ever wanted to close them, I donâÂÂt know that you would be able to do that without them hitting the rad. I think the idea of roman shades is lovely. I like the first trim the best. but I am a bit concerned that it is not quite wide enough to make any difference. I would just do it on the bottom of the shade, a couple of inches up from the edge, but I think I would consider addding a narrower grey ribbon on either side of the 1â grey, with just a little breathing space between them. Just wondering if the linen will be substantial enough to hold the roman shade pleats? Will the blackout lining make the fabric crisp enough to hold over time? In the alternative, you could leave the trim off the body of the blinds, but do a small self valance and put the trim an inch or two in from the edge of that. Great way to pull the eye up in the space, too. A very restful, pretty space.