Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's ideas and homes that I was inspired to post my own. I have to say it was such fun taking the pictures and learning about photobucket. I do enjoy the collecting of Christmas stuff but like most of you here on the boards I am budget minded too. When I get some on these gorgeous items on sale after the holidays it makes it that much sweeter. To answer some of your questions: Kathleen li - I love the ironing board Santa in the hall display too. It isn't really an ironing board but a piece of plywood with fabric and paint done to look like Santa. I bought it years ago at a craft fair here in Birmingham, AL for less than $20. The santa portrait is new this year from Kirkland's Home. The have one every year and it is only $59. I got it last week at 25% off. Calicocat1967 - I like the Santa plates. I was fortunate enough to most of them from Fitz and Floyd last year on Christmas day. They put everything on sale and I get their emails telling when. I picked them up for less than $10 each. The covered dish in the kitchen corner cabinet came from Tuesday Morning after Christmas last year. It is a Christopher Radko but I only paid $15 for it on sale. luvstocraft - Thanks for thinking I "belong". I kind of felt like I did and it's nice to point out to hubby "There are others like me. I'm not the only one always picking up dishes or decorations everywhere I go" One of the things I have enjoyed about the board is the comradery. Every when I didn't post I felt apart of the community. I am glad that I came out of lurkdom. I got the angles in the pictures for 25 cents a print years ago and had them framed for less than $10 each. I stole the hanging on a ribbon and dowel idea from a magazine. Very eye catching and costs very little too. phyl345 - I'm glad you enjoyed it. sameboat - Thanks for looking and commenting. melvalena- I hope I didn't create new work for you for next year. I am enjoying changing up things a bit from year to year, so I love the ideas you guys come up with. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your grandkids. bonniee- Thank you. I enjoyed your post about decorations too. mary ruth - Thanks, I love the Fitz and Floyd too. I got the large santas on top of the refridgerator last year on Christmas day. They are normally $350 each but on their clearance/outlet on their website they were only $89. I know that is still expensive, but I couldn't pass up the chance for something so large and beautiful for that price. I ordered my mom and her sister one for this year's Christmas present. I am so excited to give them to them. They are the chief decorators in the family so I came by it honestly. slinkey - What a nice welcome. Thanks for you praise and I feel like I will be a regular now that I've broken the ice. I do love my home. It is older and I actually came to these boards because we are considering building a new home on a lot we bought so I was researching building and come across this board on a search. But it didn't take me long to go from the Building a House forum to Decorating to Christmas/Holidays. purplemoon - I have loved all of your decorations and posts for the year. I thank you for your comments. The pair of large leaping reindeer are my "pride and joy". This is the first year I have displayed them, getting them last Christmas Day online. They came from Frontgate, which is not a store that I can normally afford. But after Christmas they put all their stuff on sale and mark it down a little more each week. On their website is a section called Outlet. I did not know of it and wanted a large reindeer for my fireplace hearth, so I searched and got a hit on them. The are regularly $199 each and but were on clearance for $59 each. Again a little more than I normally pay for a Christmas decoration, but a great deal on a heavy well made piece. I am pleased with the display. I would be honored to have some of my stuff in the Inspiration Album. Thanks for asking. Does that mean I have "arrived"? Ha-Ha. Feel free to look all you want. prosperity66 - Thanks for your kind words. I am glad others enjoyed it. Thanks again to all of you and I am off to scour the Internet for any clearance deals, but not ever sure where I could possibly put more if I find it. Merry Christmas!

Hi ! Thanks everyone for showing me your beautiful kitchens. I would love to see more! organicdonna and allison0747 I can see from your kitchens that ceilings and a soffit can help differentiate the spaces. Colleen the columns are beautiful (not to mention the stunning windows!) Patti823- love the cat!! She defines the space!! Mommyto4boys - I had to laugh out loud. I have three boys and after reading your post I could just envision my boys placing their footballs, hockey pucks and baseballs on the open shelves instead. Better to keep everything hidden like you said!! thanks again everyone - I am always struck by how kind everyone is on this forum to take the time and help others. Happy new years everyone - and happy kitchen designing!

Okay, here's the Bronwynsmom full tilt more-than-you-aked-for solution. And I confess that I haven't read all the other posts (I usually do), so if I'm repeating, I apologize. Your room needs life, and cohesion. I like the sofa against the mirror, and I like the mirror's effect on the room, but I think the heavy timber frame is too much for the room and the delicacy of the rather slender bookcases. First, I would set the bookcases up on a low platform, so that you can push them all the way back to the wall, and give them a bit more substance - and to get that bottom shelf off the floor. Then I'd choose a rich, beautiful paint color for the room, and paint everything - walls, trim, timbers, and the bookcases - to match the walls. We did the bookcases that way in our den here, and it looks really nice, if I do say so.... I'd add a clip downlight to the top center of each bookcase section to light the contents. Then I'd treat both the window and the mirror as if they were both windows, and handle them in the same way. I'd hang generous, lined floor-to-ceiling drapery panels, in a colorful or graphic pattern you really love, out beyond the sides of the windows, with the leading edges just covering the frames. If you need privacy at night, I'd think about adding simple roman shades at ceiling height. I'd do the same thing at the sides of the mirror, with two curtain panels out to the side just covering the frame. That would pull the two walls together, and make the heavy side timbers disappear, which I think the room needs. I'd add a pair of end tables and substantial lamps, add sofa pillows in lighter colors, move the large coffee table somewhere else, and put a pair of smallish square ottomans in front of the sofa. I'd turn the rug 90 degrees, so that the stripes run across the doorway, rather than creating a runway effect to the couch. I'd add a pair of Parsons-style upholstered chairs, with skirts, on either side of the table in the window, to avoid too many legs in the room. And I'd put a desk lamp on the table, and a floor lamp in the corner to your left as you walk into the room. The result would be a serene architectural background with the books, the wonderful table, the curtains, the upholstery and pillows, he sparkle and expansiveness of the mirror, and that great graphic rug as the stars.

I think they would be no more hassle than ones on the outside if I understand the question. Maybe post a pic since I would not like inswing casement windows in most cases. There are retractable screens for casement windows maybe check that out.