My thanks to all of you who posted comments, both good and bad. I can't begin to tell you how feedback about my florals opened my eyes, so I was able to change things for my next set of photos. I'd never think that removable "props" would turn someone off. I also have to say that you're taking it well and seem to appreciate the feedback. Those of us selling can now see our house through strangers eyes and what a potential buyer might think when seeing our house online. How the photos look will dictate whether they take the time to actually walk our houses. The last time our house was for sale we did not get any feedback, so I'm very thankful for this forum and hope that the feedback you got helps you. I noticed that the wallpaper in my home got some of the most frequent and critical remarks and it's left me wondering about something. Is wallpaper no longer in vogue in new or remodeled homes or is it that my particular wallpaper is not to the liking of most of you? I've walked a lot of new communities with model homes and can say that here they are still using wallpaper but not in all of the rooms. You might pick the nicest rooms to keep the wallpaper. I love the foyer wallpaper but not with the door color and not with the flooring. You might think to leave some of it up and paint other walls, using it as an accent. Back entrance wallpaper - I would take it down. Half bath - I like the wallpaper but not with the light fixture. Study - I've seen similar paper used in homes I've walked. Utility - dislike the walls - would sheet rock & paint 1st floor master - would paint 1st floor master bath - I like the paper but not for a room like this. I would paint and think about putting up beadboard 2nd floor master - while I like the top paper, I think it would look better painted. The wood on the door is much too dark. I'd also think about putting up a scarf on the windows, then opening the blinds for the photo. While I like pink, others do not :( Second floor vanity/dressing area - this paper you could get away with leaving. Bath 2, second floor - I would try to lighten this room up or leave the picture out. Living Room - I would paint this I also realize that the paneled family room is dated but my thoughts on that is to either paint the paneling a neutral color or rip off the paneling, put up sheetrock and then paint. I also want to install engineered wood flooring in that room and perhaps extend it in to the foyer where, I admit, the tile color is also dated. Another area of critical comments was due to my home having so much carpeting. Has carpeting also gone out of style or do I just have too many rooms with carpet? We just did this in the master bedroom. I would sheet rock. The carpet wouldn't bother me here. I'm one of the weird ones that actually likes carpet, especially for my bad back. Walking on wood floors kills me. BTW, the Saint Bernard that appeared in at least one photo and brought about a comment or two that some people wouldn't even consider buying a home where a dog had been passed away on June 10 much to my hurt. I'm in the process of cleaning up all traces of his presence here. That is, everywhere but in my heart! Very sorry for your loss. After 22 years, I still miss our German Shepherd.

The Moroccean chandelier would appeal to DH but I want something "lighter". Thanks for thinking of it! I happen to like the Edison chandelier too. I'm just not feeling the bronze though I know it would go over my table. Hence, my dilemna I mentioned earlier. Still don't know... can I/should I mix finishes? I do think a wood one would work. Especially since I already do have the bar stools. They were one of my crazy craigslist finds. I paid for all four for half the cost of one and they are essentially new. Just an unbeliveable deal and I fell madly in love with them. Since they will be on the sunroom side I"m hoping I can still put in a slimline couch/chaise whose materials will tie into the barstools. Down here there is a plethora of indoor/outdoor furniture that fits that bill. So now we'll have to bill my home a Mid 20th Century (hey! I'm mid 20th century!)contemporary earthy tropcial touches and a clean line feel! Here's a couple of others I had found and marked. BUt I sitll don't know about them... that's why I need you guys. This one I can get in a number of finishes including SS or Mahogany> This one combines wood, SS, and glass: I had found another kinda similar that the globes were kinda clear with what looked liked reeds inbedded but they were acrylic and I don't knwo how I feel about acrylic. So, jsut to clarify... what about mixing finishes? Crud.. won't imbed. I hate usind DH's computer.. mine is down. Link to the Bellacor one: http://www.bellacor.com/fullsize.cfm?Sku=973606 Link to the other one from Lighting Universe: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/products/view.aspx?sku=2719097

Slate is pretty cool - we just purchased a house with 100-year-old slate countertops in the butler's pantry. They have gotten substantial use over the years as the primary food preparation spot, and they look great. We don't seal them, for what it's worth, and they don't stain. Don't know if that's because they're so old they have accumulated sufficient "patina"? We put hot pots on them all the time with no adverse effects. They do have a few small chips, but it's very livable. (I love the softer texture -- but then, I really dislike granite, so take that into account.) In fact I thought these counters were soapstone the first 6 months we lived here, until I saw the Monson Slate label on the bottom of them. For me, the biggest consideration is actually about the dark color: I find it really hard to keep them looking clean, because they show the slightest fleck and crumb. They're like a dark floor. In that sense, a soapstone with its mottling and veining might be preferable to the matte black/gray/green? Get some samples and test, test, test!

I might look for a lamp that could move forward on the chest enough (without danger of toppling off) that the shade just hides that thermostat. Place it just a couple inches to the right of where it is now, or move the whole chest to the right a bit. It won't affect the functionality, esp if you use an LED bulb = no heat. Then look for a large piece of art, or a couple of stacked pieces to fill in over the right side of the chest, as shown above. Another idea is a gallery wall incorporating the thermostat: I would trade you those beautiful folded blankets for the star wars lego decor my grandson has decorated my house with! eta: I was just looking at it again and think Cyn's idea to switch the cabinets would work. You could then place the floor lamp in front of the thermostat and just ignore it.