I agree with organic smallhome. Find the rug you love that works with the upholstery, then worry about window treatments. I would for sure be looking for sheers in a natural or light taupe color, not the stark white, which doesn't play nicely with the furniture. Then drapery that works with the rug and upholstery could go a variety of ways. I am going to suggest that you consider putting the couch in front of the window, and moving the loveseat to where the couch is. Because of your baseboard heating, your drapes and sheers have to be short, and the couch would hide that. That would also leave more room for the leather chair and loveseat to share the wall and not be too closely pushed together. Are you keeping the lamps? They seem kind of short in proportion to the couch, and in all honesty a bit dated. Taller, simpler lamps (brass if you like) would be great and help balance the height of the large window.

Karen, do you want to keep with an Italian theme? This Pear with Tiramisu is delicous. I also have a wonderful cassata cake recipe. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Carmelized Pears with Tiramisu Cream ==================================== This scrumptious dessert from HeartSmart Cooking for Family and Friends will make dinner guests think you're a professional chef, and the fact that it's low-fat makes it even more attractive. Http://www.canada.com/vancouver/features/tasteofbc/r ecipes/carmel_pears.html Ingredients: 4 medium pears, firm but ripe (preferably bartlett or bosc) 2/3 cup (150 mL) granulated sugar 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chopped candied ginger 1 lemon, sliced very thin Filling 1/2 cup (125 mL) part skim ricotta cheese, drained (see note) 2 tablespoons (30 mL) granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) vanilla extract 2 teaspoons (10 mL) dark rum, coffee liqueur or extra-strong coffee 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate 1 tablespoon (15 mL) icing sugar, sifted . Preparation: Cut pears in half lengthwise. Scoop out cores (a melon baller works well). Sprinkle 2/3 cup (150 mL) granulated sugar over bottom of large heavy frypan that will hold all the pears in one layer. Cook, uncovered, on medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until sugar begins to brown and melt, stirring occasionally (be careful not to let burn). Remove frypan from heat. Add pears cut side down. Sprinkle with ginger and arrange lemon slices over top. Place over low heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Cover and remove from heat; let rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare filling: In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) granulated sugar, vanilla and rum. Place chopped chocolate in strainer to remove any chocolate "dust" (this prevents the ricotta from discolouring). Stir chocolate pieces into filling. To serve, place a pear half, cut side up, on each plate. Spoon about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) cheese mixture on to each half. Drizzle pear and plate with any syrup remaining in frypan. Arrange a cool lemon slice on each and dust with icing sugar. Makes 8 servings. Note: Put ricotta cheese in sieve set over bowl and let drain for 1 hour before using.

Is that second one Multistone? We used the lightest one--white and gray tones. I think the grout choice is between 1/16 and 1/4". The information is on their website in the DIY instructions. We had a local flooring store install it. It's pretty straight-forward to install, but we didn't want to mess around with DIY for something as important as flooring and wanted a flooring company to back us up if there are problems. I think diagonal might be nice to create interest if you're considering a quiet tile like Multistone. We laid ours straight since we wanted a calm feeling and didn't want the floor to be the focus in our small bath. I'll see if my DH will take a photo, but he said it's hard to photograph white.

Rhome you are correct - we did go back and forth with everyone here previously on the fridge location -deciding between to the right of the mudroom door/left of the sink , vs where it currently is. And we actually got consensus on moving it to the range wall (closer to breakfast room, family room , access to range etc.) after many of your posts pushing for it there. The brainstorming just brought that to the surface again. I have no problem with thoughts being raised even without all the answers. You guys are the best at just making us all think this through during the hard parts! Malhgold-you definitely have me rethinking our mudroom space -it has room for cubbies and a closet. But the spare fridge there vs. the laundry room would be a lot better . Not sure if my DH will give up the 48" -that's the one thing he wants, but will see. I guess it comes down to making the 2 hutches more functional really. And finding food storage space other than the back pantry area. The left hutch is under utilized but it was thought since it was the first thing you see coming in the house that it should look nice (ie. no appliances) and could serve as a serving hutch or something for the breakfast room/screen porch. It would have made a nice spot as well for the wet bar (closer to breakfast room,family room, screened porch but it was thought that a sink,undercounter fridge etc. wasn't the best first impression coming in the door . Maybe it wouldn;t look so bad? I guess that is the hard part at this point is making the best use of both of those hutches whether they are wet bar, breakfast ctr,snacks ,storage , etc. so that more of the kitchen is used on a daily basis. bmore=glad you are chiming in. I know you preferred the other plan so any help in improving this one is really appreciated!! I thought the advantium would be more convenient by the range vs. by in the wet bar/snack area. I do feel I use a MW now more for meal prep -than for kids snacks (other than popcorn).So it seems better placed on the cooking side of the kitchen.Maybe as the kids get older(they are 3,7,9) they will be looking to use it more for quick snacks/meals. So I guess either location could be beneficial. The NanaWall system is awesome! I am not sure it would work in the kitchen as the folding part would require too much space (and maybe not convenient for kids in and out), but it is a possibility we considered along the wall between the breakfast room and screenporch.I think the Nanawall inspired us on the whole remodel actually to make the breakfast room and porch feel as one big room! The price for a 10' section was $8K. So when reality of the cost of the whole project sits in we will likely go with the french sliders in both sections! If we had a nice pool to walk out to like in all the photos of the NanaWall, we may splurge!