Sandy, I have a weeping willow and the Viceroy was on the drift wood which is right beneath the willow tree. :) So, I've learned something too. Maybe there are more. I'm going out early in the morning and see if there's any more of them. That would be neat. Thanks for the info Sandy. Jan

Now that you mention it - we have a set of cardinals - have been seeing the male for several weeks but just saw the female last week for the 1st time! I noticed the male when I heard an unfamiliar tune from the roof and there he sat - been watching him since. I wish I new where there nest was - I have to google some images to see what the adolecents look like. Thanks so much! I have to ask - do you make soap?...I love your ID/name!

Ok now I think I get it too- you are just showing as a point of reference how the rooms play off of each other, and are thinking that in addition to doing the kitchen, you would also do the fireplace wall and the wall perpendicular to it(facing the kitchen).... I think that sounds good, but being the cautious type, I think maybe have that in mind but first just do the kitchen - I do think that will look great. And, chances are doing it in the family room will be nice as well, but you might just decide that it could be too much... so I would wait and do one step at a time. Of course , that is my bias because I frequently don't see the obvious and need time to "digest". To repeat though, I do think the larger tiles in the latest rendition will be wonderful in your kitchen. (I believe we have a winner!) :)

Jinx seeing the chairs alongside the room really helps...and interestingly, although almost everyone has said black would work no one has gone that route in suggestions, which helps too in a way. I have enough of the raw silk on those chairs by the mirror left to do these chairs, and it has a beautiful sheen that can throw off a bit of purple - but I am concerned about durability (see above) and being too matchy-matchy. I am surprised I also really do like the lighter white look when I see it next to the room, and totally forgot but am finally getting real grown up white silk drapes that will frame out those windows properly instead of sitting inside them - so maybe it would be better to coordinate with those? The fabric is a very subtle cream silk tone-on-tone stripe, but I could match the color with a more durable fabric. This is so much help- thank you all again for your time and suggestions here! I do have one more random question, only because you guys are familiar with the space. I have an old, wooden phone booth that belonged to my dad (he worked for Bell South for 30 years). It it VERY sentimental, it has traveled all over the country with me, and it is going in this space somewhere. It only fits in two places. I had intended to put it where that mermaid picture is, but then I bought that crazy huge carved Mexican bookcase. Is it going to make the room too heavy on that side to have two big, blocky pieces of furniture there? The only other place I have for it is in the entry, which means it would be the first thing you saw when you walked in the room.