val - i like the look of the windows in that thread. i definitely want a twisted wood rod. you're saying to install the rod wider. you mean so that the entire window shows and the curtains are at the edges? i have those two smaller window panels on each side. isn't that going to look huge.? the sheers i have right now are not operable. holdbacks sound like a good idea. the only thing with those is i've noticed you end up with wrinkles. so you think i should permanently keep the rod at the height it is. not raise it? or just for now? i really need to make a decision on that. higher rod means longer drapes with means more money for drapes. i couldn't keep the ones i have right now because they'd be too short. which i'll probably end up getting new ones but i need to paint first. the other issue i'm having is the allen + roth rods and also the ones at linen and things only are 8' 2" or 8' my window (with trim) is 8' 3"/100". i thought they had longer ones at lowes but now i'm starting to second guess myself. i can't find them online. what do people do about this?? i can't imagine i'm the only person with a window this wide. i did see on the linens n things site it mentions "Use wood pole connector for wider windows" what's this? nothing showed up when i searched. i only need inches not 6' or anything crazy. (look in the scroll down description) http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1364039&cp=2167013.1331965.1334498&parentPage=family i could just buy an adjustable rod but if i'm going to buy another rod i want to buy one i really like. and i really like the wood ones. i'll need to keep it for a looong time. mitchdesj - thanks. i really was amazed at how squatty my window looked before. i also can see that i need a bigger rod. i tried to go cheap but as people say, window treatments are one thing you shouldn't skimp on. *sigh* hilltop - i never heard of that site. thanks!! looks like they have some nice curtains. We were originally going to put the thick, twisted wood rod in our bedroom but decided we're the only ones to see it. we installed another small one. i kick myself for not buying the bigger one AND for not installing the rod higher. It really looks funny to me in the bedroom. I always thought that was and looked the norm until i found this site. haha

I had an inspection done, the plumbing and electrical are all up to date, thank God. There is no HVAC but I am going to see how this summer goes before I decide to install it through the house. I live in Virginia and the summers are hot but being up in the Blue Ridge keeps some of the humidity at bay. The windows are original and there are exterior aluminum storm windows covering them. I am hoping and praying that they are sufficient to keep the house from being windy inside. I think the cafe curtains and tension rods will work perfectly while I get settled. I was not planning on working on the exterior of the home right away but it looks like the porch roof will need to be replaced and all of the windows and trim around the exterior need to be painted. The 115 year old wood is exposed. The previous owners did NOTHING in the way of maintenance. The walls have been scribbled and written on by their children, they didn't bother to paint over it. So it has been at least 13 years since any exterior wood has been painted.

I love greens so it is a first pick for me. I am not a pro at any of this but love figuring out colors. To my eye the silver grey in the kitchen is fighting the granite a bit. The cabinets look good but they are more of a neutral color. I can see you have a wheat color in the hall, so more warm colors. I used BM edgewood grey in my house - prior to the remodel we are working on - and it worked well with my 1950 orangey red oak floors but was not overly warm/yellow for my taste. Read grey in some rooms/light and beige in others. Lots of grey and cool colors on these boards but honestly it doesn’t work in every house. Your dining room is really pretty and could be stunning with a bold color. Maybe let that lead and find a soft white or greige for the adjoining rooms. Good luck!

Thanks all - great points about the afternoon sun and we've planned for built in roller shades or something like that for when it is needed. Still trying to problem solve that issue. The lakeward views are looking thru mature trees of variable density so we will not need to plant anything lakeward for sure. We are at the top of a series of dunes, and most of the trees emerge 20-60' downhill from the lot. We won't know until we can look at the appropriate level, of course, but are thinking the view from the 2nd and for sure the Crow's nest will be relatively unobstructed. We'd like to avoid the appearance of a "clear cut", so the challenge will be to limb up and cull enough to enjoy the view, yet preserve as much of the natural habitat and privacy that the trees provide. We are hoping that will help the house look like "it has been there for a while" at least from the water. Thankfully we have a reliable arborist helping with this process. Though it's not shown on the house plans, there is a connected elevated large deck down below behind the first foredune at the edge of the trees that has no obstructions whatsoever. Agree with all of you, though, that the view is the primary consideration. To our eye, some trees in that view will enhance it, but that just happens to be our personal preference.