I think you all nailed it with Constance Spry! Now for Mystery Rose #2! I hope it's ok if I put this in the same thread, I couldn't edit the original post so just let me know if you think I need to make a new post. This rose is growing in an interesting situation and because of that I didn't find it until the 2nd early fall after I moved into my house. It absolutely pops in the fall and because of where it is it blooms even in the snow!!! I'm not sure if it was done on purpose or if it's an accident but I'd love not only an id but also opinions on what I should do with him too please! Should I move him to a sunnier spot? Should I keep him where he is and prune back the Japanese Maple a lot more? He's obviously being protected by the maple in the winter and I believe I might've had more blooms maybe even into Jan. if I had protected him from the rabbits. As far as the bloom, it's a very vibrant red with a touch of white towards the middle or on the edge of some of the petals? It's hard to describe but there is at least one tiny stripe of white in there on every bloom. I think it has a chalice shape but I'm going to defer to you, the experts on that! Here he is: The most current shot: A few in fall when I could get closer to him: And winter during a snow storm: During our first big snow last winter I was walking around my gardens taking picture of my last blooms completely covered in a heavy snow and ice when I saw a red, red bloom practically glowing in all of that white. I was totally not expecting this! It was absolutely enchanting. I probably could've gotten better pictures of it in the snow, but it was literally snowing when I took these pictures, plus it was in Dec. and we don't have a lot of light here at that time. Really it's quite breathtaking to see nothing but white in a landscape and this red rose peeking out! Unfortunately the deer or rabbits found it equally attractive because they ate it down to a nub the night after I took those last pictures, But it came right back this spring (see first picture).

How about using it as a chalkboard wall? I like the idea of having the chalkboard framed on the wall so it looks more like a picture than just a whole wall of chaulkboard paint.

You might want to post this on the Home Decorating forum.

I would like to suggest that you move in and see how the space works for you. I personally wouldn’t paint over the cabinets. The arch is more of a dated look and I wouldn’t invest in keeping that. I might even prefer if you remove them and do open shelving until you have the budget to replace the uppers. The lowers (don’t have the arch) look fine. I’d be looking to save up to do a full remodel. Even it’s it’s ten years down the line... for now I’d paint and replace the lighting fixtures.