Update: Visited a nearby nursery. Lots of mud to walk through. They're open, but still waiting for some trees to come in. As a reminder, this is my situation: [IMG]http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q181/adrianmonk_2007/P2140082.jpg[/IMG] On a cloudy day in the winter, the issue isn't obvious, but I have a real need to shade the house. The house faces south and really gets hit by the summer sun. In addition, there's a need for "screening". I want to look out of the window and see a tree, not the house way up the road. Anyway, the guy at the nursery chatted with me for quite awhile and showed my some of his stuff. I mentioned that I might want to replace the dogwood on the left sector (hardly visible in the pic) in order to shade the house. I also needed a "specimen" in the center. He had plenty of white barked himalayan birches that he suggested for the left sector. This is somewhat shaded in the late afternoon by the street tree, but he thought it would be alright. I brought up the heritage river birch, and he said they'll be getting some in next week. I know the himalayan birch trees are susceptible to disease, but they are nice looking trees. He also showed my a well-shaped October Glory Red Maple (suggested for the center), along with a Forest Pansy Redbud. He doesn't carry Paperbark Maples or Hornbeams which I had brought up. He mentioned purple leafed plums as a small tree. Why is it everyone hates purple leafed plums? :) The idea of a birch on the left sector appeals to me, although I worry about the "full sun" requirement. The street tree over on the left will shade it starting in the late afternoon. Also, there's the issue of whether to risk getting a Himalayan birch for that nice white bark. The October Glory seemed nice. I asked if it would work in the left sector, and he seemed to think the center sector would be better for it, so it wouldn't collide with the street tree. Well, I'll probably check out other places as well. Is the Himalayan Birch really a bad idea? Anyway, it was good to see the trees in real life instead of the Internet :)

I have not actually been to a JCPenneys in probably 20 years. :) I really don't get an opportunity to shop much, nor do I really like to. My prime shopping hours are 4-6am. and nights on the weekends. I am not sure that Penney's will have a color I am happy with either. the white, as seen and commented on in previous threads, does not look good in this room. Believe it or not I am lucky enough to have a Calico Corners within 5 miles of my office. I happen to drive by it whenever I visit my favorite lunch place Organico Cafe. I think at this point my best bet would be to stop wasting time and to bring in a paint sample, a picture of the room and one of the long panels and see if they have a fabric for the sheers. I wonder how much it would be? I have never set foot in that store before. If any one is still reading along, anything else I should bring with me to make a good decision? I will probably bring a sample home to see it in my light and against the carpet in the room too before making the final decision if the price is doable. I just looked up their site to post a link and they are having a sale this month. 5 days left. I guess I better get moving. Here is a link that might be useful: Calico Corners

I went in JC Penney for the first time in a long time a few weeks ago. I was looking for clothes and was pleasantly surprised with the changes in what they were carrying -- esp. in plus sizes. There was still what I call the bingo/casino collection, but there were more stylish choices and also active/workout wear. And the prices were great. I've never been one to collect and manage coupons very well (cut them out and forget them, or even put them in my purse then forget them, they expire on me, etc.) so the one-price thing is fine for me. I thought the store redesign looked like they were trying to become the Target of department stores (letting Sears be the Wal-Mart of department stores). But the iPhone/iPod-based checkout system seemed a little to Apple Store for Penney's, KWIM? There must be a corporate connection there somewhere. Back to home goods. I took a spin through tat department and it was indeed very, very sparse. I only looked at lamps and pillows, but there were a lot of empty shelves and everything was on clearance. So I guess the back half of the store is about to get the same treatment the front half of the store already got.

Laurie, how big is your room? Our living room is long and narrow, 23 x 12 and the sliding door and window are at opposite ends of the room. We put a double rod up to test different drapes with and the thin rod & small sized finials, were so small they looked out of proportion in our room. The larger sized rod is 1 1/4 inch and the larger round finial is about the size of a baseball. They give more presence over all and look like they'll be more proportionate for our room. My DH is putting them up as we speak, so tomorrow I can post a photo for you. Btw, I also brought home that adjustable rod from BB&B, it was junk and we opted not to go that route. In regards to the extenders if I remember correctly your windows were smaller than ours which is 57 inches across. If you buy a rod meant for the size of your window you won't need to worry about extenders as everything you'll need should already be provided in box.