luvs ... I won't make you wait to see the cloche...oh, I am so tickled that I spoiled myself w/this purchase. I had to LOL when DH came back in my computer/craft room tonight & saw it sitting on my work table...he rolled his eyes & I said, "kind of big, isn't it." ... "guess so!" & he shook his head. So I had to go get one of my GS Santa's from early Spring/Summer & show you. What do you think? The bottom pc is pottery & the total ht. is like 21" or so...will have fun decorating w/this. Thanks, luvs! Jeanne S.

MtnRedRedux, just wanted to thank you for this thread... we moved to Florida in '13 and are getting ready to start the buy/build process to put down roots after renting to get our bearings. Decorating feels a little overwhelming, as we sold things in our move since we were going to a partially furnished place - so it feels like starting from scratch. I want it to have character, but also have some uniqueness and not look like everything else down here - so this thread has been a big help to get me thinking. I look forward to seeing/reading what you decide and how your project goes. Thanks again!

Annie Deighnaigh- I don't think sponge painting is quite it. It's so very easy for it to go very badly. I remember the late 90s well and everyone was doing it. There were some very, very bad paint jobs I've seen that were sponge painted. Also, while my budget doesn't stretch to $400 a roll wallpaper, I've a got more budget than just a can of paint. Allison0704 and others- I don't know why it didn't occur that it could be fabric. I've been searching the wallpaper sites and haven't really scoured the fabric sites. Of course, in the end, I don't want to copy exactly. Just be inspired by. Robo- I like your wallpaper suggestions, especially the marimekko one.

I would clean and condition the wood. For cherry, this wood looks a bit dry and some conditioning would help bring out the grain and color in the wood. Beautiful wood goes with anything (unpainted canoes, boats and woodwork on yachts -- often cherry or similar toned wood). When you get things pulled together, you can consider changing the hardware. A brushed brass would compliment that warm wood.