Making Bonsais is easier than most people think. After your Willow Roots, Plant it either in the ground or in a large pot. If you plant it in the ground, it will grow faster and the trunk thicker. It is a process that, if done right, will take you a few years to get something that looks like a bonsai. Don't expect a show specimen in 6 months. Keep your bonsai in the ground and let it get as tall as you'd like your bonsai. Then cut off the top and allow it to "back branch". This is the sending out of new branches from the older buds, preferably from those near the top for your tree. Then let those branches grow only as long as you'd like them... usually just short of the ground. Get yourself some Copper Bonsai wire. It can be ordered online. You'll need some thin wire for the thin branches of the willow. You'll need to check some sites on "wiring" to see how to do it correctly. You dont' want to cut into the branches soft bark. Wrap it around in a spiral fasion from the trunk to the tip. Bend the branches the way you'd like them to fall... As close to a natural looking Old tree. Check them every few months make sure the branches are not being cut by the wires. Remove and rewire if they are. Every 3-6 months I would take a shovel/spade and cut a ring around the tree about the diameter of a bonsai pot you'd like to see your tree in, then slide the spade a few inches (about 4-6 inches) under the tree. This is to cut and trim the roots to the length needed for a pot in the future. Do not lift the tree! Just leave it there. It will recover much faster this way. After a few years of training like this, (and you can show people your tree in it's spot!) You can eventually move it to a bonsai pot of your liking. By this time, your tree should have a nice sized trunk and a good shape, if you kept up on your wiring and branch pruning. If you'd like a short cut to a good bonsai.. .a great place to find good material is a long the edge of a field visited by deer or that keeps sheep, goats, cows etc. They'll have kept the trees short by grazing and they'll already have thick trunks.

Hi All, Thanks so much for the comments! This is a complete renovation, so anything can be moved or adjusted (including the fireplace). To answer some of the previous comments: - The plans are going to be adjusted - we are going to center the entry of the house, and reduce the closet space / size of the guest bath. Probably a stall shower instead of a full tub. - The kitchen is completely changing ..... will post those plans when available - The family room - the side to side is pretty much set, we can't make it much thicker. We can move the fireplace. - The living room - we are thinking about using it more as a library / office. Built in bookcases and a large desk. Or should we leave it as a traditional living room with couch etc? I just don't know the function of the 'living room' with a 'family room' that will be the primary non-kitchen hangout on the first floor. Should I still put on the decorating page, since we might change the architectural drawing? Thanks Dave

Adding that archway would completely mess up the living room layout. Furniture arrangements would become very difficult and it would become a traffic path. Maybe consider shortening the wall, so keep the bench and closet, but lose the second smaller coat closer and maybe even shorten the other stuff. It will still create an entry way and block sound from the living room but it wouldn't create a super long closed in hallway. You may want to also reconsider the kitchen area. That pantry is way too far away to be useful and the dining room looks tight once you account for all of the traffic paths.

This is a bit of a reiteration, but if you love a vintage/ boho look, look for vintage pieces as much as possible. You’ll save money, too. New pieces can be great, for sure, but vintage is really special. Other sources are Chairish, local antique stores, Facebook marketplace, free on the curbside- so many! Hunting for the perfect piece is a lot of fun. I’m always on the lookout. I agree that looking at lots of photos of spaces, and noting what speaks to you, is key. The book recommended above sounds great. If you want an eclectic look, try to get in touch with what pieces/ periods/ looks you really LOVE. Different periods can mix in your space. In my 1915 Craftsman bungalow living room, for example, I have a MCM Jens Risom couch, an Eames lounge and ottoman, and a George Smith armchair (all Craigslist) , several light wood tansu chests (local shops), and several antique European pine cabinets, and armoires and a bookcase(yard sales, Craig’s and local antique store). I have Target copies of Aalto stools, stacked, for extra seating or tables when guests come. The art was collected over time, as were the lamps and ceramic pieces, from flea markets here and in Europe, and yard sales. In fact, it all was collected over time. And none of it was particularly expensive! I do love a bargain. It’s a life’s work:) and didn’t happen quickly. If you really love something, it will work with everything else. But first you need to figure out what you really love, what speaks to YOU. That’s the art of it.