My feeder actually straddles the edge between a small area of grass and my perennial garden beds. I have the Wild Birds Unlimited pole system with a built-in large seed catcher tray, as well as seed catcher trays on individual feeders hanging from the poles. I also invested this winter in some better seed blends, but still had some sunflower and safflower seeds mixed in. And you know what? I'm here to tell you it still makes a giant mess. I am not sure that it really matters what you plant underneath of the feeders. I think the most important thing to remember when feeding birds is that you have to be committed to doing regular cleaning (of the feeders and the ground around them) to really make it work. Here's what I have been doing to keep it (moderately) under control. There are still sunflower hulls around, and I'm sure that a seed or two will sprout. But by using ONLY sunflower or safflower seeds (no "wild bird mix" or other blends), you minimize issues. WINTER CLEANUP: When there is snow on the ground, I go up to the site about every two weeks or so with a utility sled and simply shovel the top layer of snow (coated in seeds and hulls) into the sled, then I haul the sled to my compost pile and dump it. When there is no snow on the ground, I use the spring/summer/fall cleanup method. SPRING/SUMMER/FALL CLEANUP: Two words: Rake and Shopvac. That's it. About every two weeks or so. Good luck!

What about picture frames? They come in an assortment of styles and prices. I got one for my husband's aunt. The inlaws drew names this year for the first time, thank goodness! I know how difficult it is finding something for each person in DH's entire family. Last year we did charitable contributions in each family's name. Many charities (we used Christian Children's Fund) send out Christmas cards to the family members informing them of the gift. Of course the neices still got gifts, gift certificates to Old Navy.

Hi beverly27 and andee, Thanks for the feedback. 8' X 10' size rug might look better. 8' X 11' might be better in terms of fitting all the chair legs. I have one feet extra length. We do not have formal living space. This is the only formal space in the home. I bought Thomasville $300 wool rug. I returned it without even trying. Rug is made from small ropes made from wool. I am able to pluck out each rope without much effort. wool is not attached properly to the back of the rug. I will check it out other places for 8 x 10/11 size reasonably priced wool rug. Otherwise, I might end of keeping this rug and get a pad. I am also thinking of going rug free. But, I will miss the contrast rug is giving to the room with my hardwood floor. Thanks.

Lovely photos, Olychick! Yes, that is the simple look I would like to go for. Practically though, I don't like the idea of grout lines under the glass and I've read it's much harder to get the glass set on tile than a single piece of stone or quartz. This is not a big shower, so water will be reaching the edges. I also only have a couple spare pieces of floor tile as that was put in years ago. The subway tile doesn't have finished edges, so I'm not sure it could be used to frame the niche. I do have plain bullnose and probably still have time to get some more ordered if that would work? Will talk with my contractor tomorrow. In that top photo, any guesses as to the material that is forming the shelf in the niche? Looks like one solid white piece that is working fine with the subway tile. Jeff Meeks: Is a glass shelf inserted in the tile a better option as far as waterproofing? My back will be very happy not to have to bend to pick up shampoo bottles, but I'm not wedded to the idea of a niche versus a couple of corner shelves. I was thinking the niche would look cleaner most of the time than a glass shelf with shampoo residue on it.