We have quite a few Federal styled pieces, it seems. DH's favorite piece is a really nice Federal style couch. The clock has a label marking it as a Waterbury Clock "Independence Hall." Assuming that's what's painted on the front (or used to be painted on the front. That mirror is, as far as I can tell, in impeccable condition but is definitely quite old. I'm going to have to get it back out to see the quality of the carving. The picture doesn't show it very well, and now I'm curious. Plus I don't think I ever looked for a label on the darn thing! $2.50? That's a heck of a good buy! We're still finding things when we open previously unopened dresser drawers, looking in boxes, etc. Some of the latest: a great book of B&W prints from the 1893 Columbian Exposition (stamped with a store's name on the back--was used as advertising, similar to the advertising cards but much more substantial) more Heisey glass than you can shake a stick at :) several old dolls in varying states of condition several antique frames, also (sadly) in varying states of condition boxes and boxes of old buttons and costume jewelry old books like you wouldn't believe (I know these don't necessarily have much value, but it's fun to read about what they knew, or didn't know, about the world/science/etc. during that time two very strange looking porcelain figurines...matching...boots, and one has a boy clinging to it while the other has a girl clinging to it some Victorian-era painted pottery, porcelain, china, or whatever it is (I guess it used to be fashionable for ladies to buy the white pottery then paint it? a chamber pot set with a few other matching pieces for some unknown purpose, all with a little note that identifies it as a wedding gift for "Maggie" (the first owner of the house, circa 1885-1890) It's a little overwhelming but I can't imagine it being more fun! :) I'll keep putting up pictures as we take them. This forum is a great site to at least get an idea of what some of this stuff is, and how old it is (or is not).

I agree -- make it yourself. here's what I would do. Scour second-hand shops to find a dresser or sideboard you like (you can find antique pieces for less expensive than in "antique" shops). Decide where on the top you want the sink to go. Cut away any interior shelves or drawers that would prevent the sink and plumbing from fitting. You could just remove some drawer boxes and refasten the drawer fronts to the face of the dresser. Buy your sink. Then call the plumber. They are used to cutting out counters to fit a sink and this is no different. Should save you lots of money and is a fairly simple DIY project. Good luck!

Thanks guys (ladies)... It makes sense now! Thanks also for the subtle hint that the Mayflower might be beyond my experience level... I do think I need a bit more practice before attempting something like that. I just finished doing this heart.... it was trying... I had to rip it out and start all over about 5 times... and I can't tell you how many times I had to use the seam ripper (not fun with small stitches). I kept putting the bulk of fabric on the wrong side of the seam and not having enough to flip over. I don't have an add a quarter ruler yet, and just because I'm practicing and not trying to make something real, I've been just eyeballing the seam allowance and cutting it with the sewing shears rather than the rotary cutter and ruler. It is really fun to see it all come together. My granny who also quilts said this is cheating, but she also thinks that using a machine for quilting is cheating and real quilts are hand sewn, so we will just have to agree to disagree about that. I actually thought it was cheaing at first, but you wouldn't call a cook who followed a recipe cheating, so this isn't either :o) I'm just glad that I'm actually making something that looks like what it is supposed to and not just sewing squares together.... and the no measuring thing is amazing. To take the paper off, I just stab it with the seam ripper and pull and it comes right off. My only problem is that it wastes so much fabric (I annhialated 3 fat quarters just to get this silly heart!).... of course messing up and having to start over doesn't help with that! I read somewhere that a lady said she needle punches the pattern first, and I think that would be really helpful to do. So exciting to see it come together... when I start, I think, "how in the world is this mess going to end up looking like the picture?".... but it has so far :o) Can you see my boo boo? I accidentally sewed on the wrong side of the fabric on one of the pieces and didn't realize it until it was too late.... the thing with the white swirls is the back of the fabric showing :o)

I know that you are against it, but the best thing to do is to paint and get the new curtains up before buying any wall art. Really. If you need to keep the walls blue for a while, it would be better to leave the walls bare than to have garish orange/red art up there waiting for new paint color to go behind them years down the road. IMHO of course. Putting flaming orange art up on a pastel blue wall because you are going to paint the wall beige sometime in the future, would be like wearing orange shoes with a blue dress because you are have plans to buy a beige dress someday that will go great with the shoes. If you are not going to be painting for quite a while you may decide on another whole color for the room when it comes time to paint than what you have decided already now. You won't like the art then. Judging from the style of the bed, both styles of lamps, the floral arrangements, and the new art that you like, I am guessing that you wish for a British Colonial look for the room. I would start browsing British Colonial look rooms in blogs and such to become more confident in selecting colors and accessories. When it comes time to paint you will know just what to do with accessories. Or maybe down the road you will decide to take the room in another direction possibly going completely Victorian or do something Eclectic.