I should first clarify we bought tha fan at Lowes. Hi Cyn, Everything is getting a stain and then varnished. The ceiling is done. Everything else has only been stained but supposedly either this week (my contractor took a vacation until yesterday, not working Monday thru Wed.) Anyway, the varnish is going on either as I write or will be completely finished mid-next-week. The ceiling is cathedral and pretty tall. It runs directly through the middle of the house so other rooms have slanted ceilings. I love it by the way. I don't know how tall to the peak, but yes it's up there I'd say; maybe 15 feet?? I love my stream. Gonna plant the entire 6 acres and I believe I'll add hostas in and around the stream as well as plants that bear fruit for animals. I've got my questions prepared so I'll ask him tomorrow. Have a nice day or night Cyn and others. Dax

Has anyone bought any furniture from the Home Gallery, Richmond, VA? If so, how did your transaction proceed, smoothly or not? Thanks for your help. We are interested in buying an American Drew dining room set. Does anyone have any feedback about them?

Oh, well, we've been in our current house since the middle of January, and still not completely unpacked. Mostly just books and vases left to go, still in boxes in the garage. (Plus a few boxes of sentimental stuff that I don't know what to do with.) So I would say, "Don't sweat it too much." Unpack and put away things you need right away, but remember that just because you put it somewhere doesn't mean it has to stay there. The cupboard you think will be just right for storing pots and pans may be the place you decide later on is just right for storing the baking dishes, instead. Or the closet you were going to use for the cleaning supplies works out better for sports equipment. That sort of thing. Be flexible and think how *you* want to use the house. We have a foosball table in our den where the tv is. Works for us right now, but we may move it somewhere else later. Our dogs have their own space that leads outside ... I think the previous owners used it as a breakfast nook. And shelving is always a good idea. I'm a fan of having enough boxes and shelves and cupboards. Having things where you can find them is a big step toward not owning too much - no duplicates purchased in a hurry because the originals couldn't be located. And congratulations! A first house is exciting.

Lisa, your new office is so classy! Yes, please add it to the Gallery thread and step up and take the credit you deserve. :) I'll be beefing up the threads I've started there from time to time and I won't always announce it here, so I hope everyone will keep checking those threads whenever they need direction and inspiration. I'll keep checking them too as I hope you all will be adding to them.