terpguy, well i know that. what i don't know is the time period between the seeds being able to germinate and before the capsule splits. That's the 2/3's of the ripening time Lucke,1971 talked about. I just need to know the time it usually takes to split, or the time after which growers usually take the pod out. I need numbers here...

Both of my grandparent's homes remained the same from way before I was born until they passed away (I was an adult with children for all)⦠even though my paternal grandfather owned a furniture factory (burned down before I was born) and furniture store. They could have had the newest, etc but kept the same furniture for decades. I think part of it was that generation did not feel the need to keep up with the Jones' and/or they were more easily content - not influenced by what was new each year. They were savers, not spenders, but had the money to do both. Their homes were cleaned and maintained. My father owned furniture stores for several decades, yet never replaced their original furnishings purchased after they married and restored a condemned home (late 1950s). Furniture there went to the next house (1970) and more was added (much larger home). Yet when they built their current home (1985) the original upholstered pieces bought in the 1950s came with them, and were recovered. Some things were sold that did not fit the house (DR and MBR) and replaced with then new that they still own 29 years later. Both just turned 80yo and things will stay as is until their deaths. Their house is far from dated, unkept or not taken care of (couldn't find this referenced in the other thread). DH and I started going to antique stores when we first married (33yrs last week) and were in our first house just over 20yrs. We still have (and use) everything purchased then and since. I tend to buy pieces that can be used in various rooms/in various ways. That said, I also tend to not move things around once I get them where I want/like, but this came in handy when we built 8yr ago. As far as empty rooms, we have only ever had one of those. When we purchased our first home we had two very small children, then added a third baby. When she was 1yo, we furnished the LR, so for the two years prior they got to ride toys and play in there when it was raining. But we stayed completely debt free, so it was worth the short wait. I don't know what changed in our world to make so many of the newest generations watch trends, change their homes more often, etc other than more access to the ever changing decor (trends) via TV, magazines and the internet. While I don't have any of our original upholstered pieces and my taste has changed from being a newly married early 20s yo to mid 50s, I would never want to or even think about getting rid of everything to start over. I believe my final taste/style was acquired 15 years ago and isn't going anywhere.

These are all really large spaces; the house must be huge. That bar area with the TV is very strange in a house; it looks more like something you'd find in a rather weird hotel.

The house has very nice lines but they're broken up by too many bits and pieces. Here are some things to consider to bring your ranch up a few notches. --Dark charcoal brown roof. This color will harmonize better than black with the reddish brown brick. --Paint all trim taupe/greige color of the brick grout. --Remove the shutters entirely but paint those panels below the windows taupe or charcoal brown. Or replace them entirely with brick facing that matches the rest of the bricks.. --Remove all the lattice froufrou and the railing. Instead put a couple of cedar Adirondack chairs and a small round table centered between the windows. --Paint the front doors deep red or replace with wooden doors. (Notice the foundation beds in front in both photos. --Go to a small garden center to plan some foundation plantings as shown above. These will frame and extend the front of your house.