Thanks for all of the responses! It sounds like the majority here like the green, with a few votes for the brown. flyleft - yeah, I showed the pics to hubby. It's not that he dislikes the idea of a colored ceiling, it's just taking on the project. He actually has a point about getting involved in a project like that at this point. We've been moved in for a few months and we still have a LOT of 'settling-in' to do, to put it mildly. Once spring comes we'll also have lots of landscaping projects. Also, this ceiling is so high, and the room is large enough that it probably isn't as easy as getting a large stepladder and would require scaffolding. Also, it is continuous with the area over the stairs, so it would be somewhat of an undertaking. Funny thing is, when the painting was being done originally, I wanted to paint the ceilings something other than white, but came by one day and it was already painted (the contractors worked very fast, which was a blessing and a curse.) I just didn't want to get into asking them to re-do it, and I let it go...well, sort of, obviously. :-) lmalm - that's a wonderful transformation! Must be a lot easier to relax in there now - LOL. Thanks for posting the pictures, your color looks very similar to mine. prairiegirl - thanks for the compliment on the fireplace. It's a full masonry natural stone woodburner. There's a smaller version in the basement. So far we love them. Love the real wood fire. Someday, when we're more settled I plan to post lots of pictures around the various forums, since we got so much info here. That is IF I ever get settled enough to take post-worthy pictures. maxsam - thanks for the pics, and the light fixture compliment. I almost got a different one, but I'm glad I didn't! I REALLY liked some of the lights at the site below, but then I called for prices.... If I remember right, one of their smaller chandeliers (like for over a dining table) was in the thousands, and then they went up from there. I called hoping the lights would fit my budget, and I'd be done looking, but when the first question they asked was "are you working with a designer?", I just thought, "Oh crap, guess I'll have to keep looking." Here is a link that might be useful: Pretty & pricey lighting

Symetry between upper and lower cabinets screams of a focus on form verses function. Both should be considered (have end runs end at the same spot, etc) but uppers and lowers all lining up in size....that's actually not the best way to plan a kitchen. Your cabinets should have some areas that line up (ie the tops, staggers on both sides if you're doing that, etc) but doors on the bottom and top...no way, that's not remotely necessary. This is the only full stacked cabinets I have...notice the bottoms are not remotely the same as the top...and yet it flows fine. The top lazy susan is angled, the bottom on a corner. The bottom cabinets are large (36" deep with pullouts) and a small corner and stack of drawers, but they don't match the microwave and cabinet, and on the other side I have 3 doors that add up to around 42" over my 36" lowers. Do you really think that does not flow???? Symetry is ok, but don't go nuts with it :)

jboling, I couldn't paint the bricks, DH would kill me!! Actually I do like the bricks, but I know that in some older homes, the painted bricks can be a big improvement. Parma, I kept forgetting to say why I hate the fireplace.. it's not the bricks. The builder messed up big time and placed the firebox way too high. It's been a sore subject - as we made them tear it out and lower it - only they didn't lower it enough IMO. It's okay - just one of those things that rub me the wrong way. sarschlos, funny you should mention painting the fireplace wall... I was staring at it earlier and wondered the very same thing... hummmm... I may need to try that! mldao, WOW!! Those are lovely!!! It actually possibly might be something I could sew and add myself. The toppers really add a custom look, yet is very airy! I also noticed your rod is a short one as well and not over the entire window. I can already tell, with all the great curtain links in this tread and the last as well a mldao photo - I am going to have a very hard time deciding!!!! laurensmom21, I am sure I must at least hold a tie with you on that title of the second guessing thing, but in any event - I sure do love the company and knowledge that I am not the only one!! LOL Books.. I need to start shopping around for some as I don't have all that many more!

Jocobe, I think that you are misunderstanding the problem. The upper sash is not drifting, It stays up. The problem is that when the window is locked, there is still a gap. Balances have absolutely zero to do with this, as the materials have either shrunk, settled, etc to cause this as has been mentioned already. Bottom line: the windows are due for replacement. To fix it for now (until budget permits replacement): either add a thin piece of wood to the sill or head, or add additional weatherstripping to one or both. You can buy stick-on foam bulb seal in rolls from the store that would probably do the trick for a while. Shimming the lock/keeper would be another option. Ultimately, what you are trying to do is fill in the frame to take up the "slop" that is present when you move the sashes up and down when they are locked together.