akshars-oh my! I hate snakes so really truly that would have woke me up in a cold sweat, lol! We haven't ordered, the one door we are waiting on is the one I really need to see! We have narrowed down the master bath stain and the laundry, kids bath. It's the door with the stain for the kitchen island that hasn't shown up yet! Yes - totally agree on the open concept being a can of worms, i.e. selection nightmare! I went to bed the other night thinking, okay, I am done now. I want to quit, I just don't have this sort of thing in me! I am a numbers girl, period. I am definitely not a color/flow/design type of person. It pains me! Once we have this stuff set and I have the doors I HOPE everything else will come a little easier. Having the kitchen place quote unfinished cabs as we are spraying our doors and trim so I think we could then do custom color to match. hoosier-yay! So exciting to have more inspections behind you too. I am a little nervous about our venting too. We aren't that far but I'm not familiar with it so I'm hoping the HVAC sub IS! We have had some cold cold temps as well. Next week we are due to warm up again (please no rain). How satisfying will that be to have hubby make your cabs. You can smile extra big every time you see them. That is a fun project! kellithee-a relief you got them on before too much winter is upon us. Our snow is melting off today. It's cold but the sun has peaked out. The roofer is supposed to start shingling on Monday while the framers are finishing up the sheeting. Because of the angle it's taking longer and is a little tricky I guess. At least the shingles will be starting soon! Crossing fingers by next week Friday they are DONE! Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you are all shopping from the comfort of your homes unless you enjoy the Black Friday madness. Lisa

Hancock & Moore - excellent, never heard any complaints. Stickely Craftsman Leather - Stickley makes excellent furniture but not familiar with their leather lines, so cannot comment. Bernhardt - Bernhardt is decent. Chateau D'Ax - never heard of this line. Natuzzi - junk Bradington Young - used to be an excellent leather mfg. According to posts here, their quality has slipped since they were acquired by Hooker. Barco Lounger - no knowledge. There are some other brands which make leather but I cannot recall the brands. I have had radiation therapy on the brain so my memory is a little shot right now. If and when I recall the brands, I will post.

Absolutely!!! When I was 11 and saw the carpet color my mom had chosen for my bedroom in our new home, I cried and cried. She liked it and some designer had suggested it, so she didn't even consider changing it. I STILL hate that color with a passion (a dark rosey mauve). The rest of our house was cream and peach and grey. We had a living room with ultra plush cream carpet that we were not allowed to enter, except for photos. It had to be carefully vacuumed with perfect lines (like a baseball field). We had built-in laminate desks in the office and master bedroom that never opened or closed properly, and were always getting chips. We had cream laminate with oak trim kitchen cabinets. And of course, unimaginative art show 3-D artwork whose only merit was that it matched the pillows. When my parents had to replace their grey carpet last year, my mom chose a very light cream plush (this was for the stairs too). And when they renovated their kitchen with granite and stainless, they thought it perfectly great to leave the hideous laminate cabs. More than that, though, I just never could understand their purchasing decisions. They always went with cheap quality (not necessarily cheap cost)/immediately available. So everything was always breaking and needing to be replaced - the garbage disposal, the garage door, our cheaply made clothes purchased at full retail. My father still brags about the amazing deals he's gotten on his new unheard-of brand camera or MP3 player (which are predictably never working 2 weeks later). Thankfully, my husband and I are of one mind and always carefully search for the right item, well-made, and if we can't afford quality (paid for in cash), we wait. Quality is always cheaper and less effort in the long run. I search Ebay, Goodwill, and Craigslist. I don't pay retail for anything except groceries. And of course, my mom hates my house, with its British Colonial/Spanish design, antique furniture, wood floors, hand-knotted rugs, and rich colors. My husband and I aren't wealthy, just patient and determined to have things that last. Life's too short!

Interesting question! I've looked at thousands of pics and saved hundreds but have never really analyzed the things I'm attracted to. I like many styles so cannot say which attracts me more altho I do like a controlled mix of styles. Vintage, antique, unusual, even steam-punk furniture and accessories. Patina - the real kind that develops over decades. I like old solid wood furniture that is well kept despite the occasional scratch or ding. Well arranged vignettes that do not look staged but as if real people use the objects. Original art. Color. While I look at and appreciate monochromatic neutral rooms I could not live with that. I love controlled pattern in upholstery and adore tapestry fabrics. Well proportioned windows, a good view, and a nicely landscaped garden are essential for me.