I do have some good news. Even though we were not able to raise all the money needed for surgery the dog has received some therapy and drum roll please.......just got word this morning that during water therapy all four legs moved. So even though the dog is not able to run around like normal it does have some movement. So everyone is very hopeful. But I was told once by a vet that once your dog shows signs of disc disease then be prepared because at some point it will have to have surgery. I can't speak for the vet of this person's dog, but I would assume they are saying the same thing. I haven't talked to the owner regarding this. But it is great news. And just because a dog goes down in their back is no reason to put them to sleep. This person's vet told them that was their option. There is always the carts or "doggie wheelchairs" as I sometimes call them. Dogs using these carts run around and play and have a good time. I can't understand why vets do not give that as an option. And people can get the plans on the internet and build their own, if the can't afford to buy one. Thank you all for being concerned and for your suggestions.

Commonly thought of good brands in the vinyl family are going to be Soft-Lite, Sunrise, Okna, Kensington Quantum 2. Are you working with your GC or a specific window remodeler.

Okay, FP plan is more clear but still a question. You are removing everything under the painted mantel, yes? That will provide enough space / width for the new tile laid herringbone style. The granite hearth that matches existing granite - it will be replaced with same new tile? For the mantel - I think it will be good to leave it the same color & finish that matches the rest of the room. But, I would remove that decorative embellishment on the front flat piece - it’s too ’fussy’. Doing that likely means a bit of sanding & repainting that whole flat piece but small work compared to the work of replacing the bottom FP surround! It sounds like this room is self contained & not open to an adjoining kitchen? If yes, that does give open options for furniture choices. A sectional might be nice for a TV room lounging around but it would limit furniture arrangements. Also consider that the inside corner of a sectional is a space few want to sit in so factor that into how many seats available. A long sofa & several chairs - recliner that can sit close to walls & swivel chairs are great options. Looks like you’re starting from scratch. I’d start with TV - how large? Wall mounted or sitting on console? Even if wall mounted a console that’s longer than TV usually looks best. Console - open? closed? Legs or no legs? What’s the style of the rest of the house? How many seats will be needed most often? Best to start with a floorplan with dimensions shown, visit furniture stores, look at online rooms to see what appeals. Then choose sofa first, then chairs but make size mockups on the floor to get a feel for space needed & how pieces will fit. Lots of research needed so don’t expect to have this done fast! Takes time if a person doesn’t want to regret their choices and $$ spent! 😊 BTW - as you’re shopping around, look at large art that is almost as wide as FP or at least as large as the FP box for starters. Art is very personal - when you see a piece that speaks to you or makes you feel good looking at it - that might be the one. Don’t rush. Art should be more than a decorator piece.

You can decorate, more or less, however you want. (Within typical parameters of course: you probably could not successfully fill the house with high Victorian furniture) But unless you are changing the interior architecture of the house in some substantial way, this is the fireplace that goes with the the rest of the house. I know lots of people do spot updates of one single thing like a fireplace or a staircase, but generally those things tend to stick out like a sore thumb, and although they may be well done in whatever trend they are following, when that trend is over, then that fireplace or that staircase just look both inappropriate And dated on top of it. So I would leave it as it is, since everything else is staying that way, and furnish and decorate to your heart's content. As long as the scale of your modern and boho pieces work with the scale of the lower ceiling, you're good.