Harry - I DO get it. Expansion and growth are a rarity in a flat or down ecomnomy, even for the Ultra Wealthy. You must have made a fine professor, as you have macro economics down pat. I DO get it, the net worth of the majority of the world's wealthiest people is down, so is the majority of everyone's. Does this mean they flee to a financial bunker and stop spending? Heck no, some do , just like some of the merely rich do, just like some of the middle class does, and just like the everyone else. However, many are still out there doing things normally some are even bargain buying like never before: I didn't make up Rolls' or Gulfstream's #'s people are buying them! Even in a downturn big co.s are buying too: Delta just gobbled up Northwest and B of A just wrote a mega check for Merrill. Don't let the media persona of Buffet fool you. A few years back all he'd talk about was how flying commercial was the best thing to do and a private airplane was not smart. What's he do a bit later- buy a Gulfstream? No he buys an entire company full of private jets and keeps the largest Gulfstream there is on standby. Same with his home, his modest $200k +/- Omaha house is real enough, but what about his 15 million dollar place in SoCal that you don't hear about??? Same with his sob story about his secretary paying more INCOME tax than he does. That's because she MAKES MORE INCOME which is subject to income tax than he does. Think she pays more dividend income than he does? Who's AMT tax bill do you think is larger at year's end? Don't take the media's cookie cutter soundbites or eye candy as the absolute truth or big picture. Remember W.R. Hearst's contempt for the masses? "They'll belive what I tell them" Same is true in the media business today. He's an anomaly, the very wealthy spend trainloads of $$$ you just don't see or hear about it because the majority value privacy, anonimity, and their time above all else. DC - while I don't entirely disagree with the premise that the luxury goods sector is down as a whole like everything else, I do wonder about the sources of these stats? Some blogger from Orange Co. doesn't exactly instill confidence in me for the trends of the nation or world as a whole. I gave you 3 examples of rarely debated "luxury" items that have seen rises in sales during a weakening economy. I guess it boils down to what's going to be considered a luxury item and by whom. Does a $1000 Prada purse qualify, or is a luxury handbag more likely a Kelly Bag from Hermes at well into 5 figures these days? I don't think BMW qualifies anymore these days, but they are always included in "luxury car" rankings and catagories by most auto professionals. Another point I'd like to make that I think few around here get or agree with is that companies making luxury or high end goods don't rush to lower prices at the first signs of a downturn. Some not even after many quarters of neg. results , and some not ever. It defeats the purpose of positioning an item or company as "luxury" or " high end" if you are going to start charging lower prices because sales drop. You either create more demand or a better value proposition or you deal with flat or no growth for a while till you figure it out. Some don't and they fold. Businessmen with any seasoning and experience accept that slaes go up and down just like stock prices and comodity prices. They hope that the broader trend is a rise in the metrics that they use to manage and measure their business. So , don't count on a cut rate deal from Sub Zero , Viking or Meile in the frist part of next year or even at all. Long before they consider lower prices you'll see "incentives" like fridge, oven and cooktop full price DW at 25% off or Viking will throw in a set of their knives when you buy theri range. Miele might extend their warranty another couple of years but I'll bet the farm you won't see a sale from a German firm.

I have moved the table behind small chair (chair is getting cream w/ black zebra throw) more central to window as suggested and I like it. What do you all think of a glass swag light in that corner sort of like this? Or, maybe something similar but more contemporary? http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/?action=view&current=swagebay.jpg" target="_blank"> I'm also not opposed to painting the fake fireplace TV stand and was toying with this color.but should I? http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/?action=view&current=darkpurplepaint.jpg" target="_blank"> I really want a small side table/stool for the side of my chair (big enough for a wine glass) but not flimsy so the dogs will knock it over. I think I need something with some shape but not sure if I should bring a bit of dark cherry there or something colorful like an outdoor type ceramic stool that will double as a little table. I would like something interesting. I'm feeling like I'm getting closer to making the room look finished but still very stuck on lighting near sofa. Please keep the ideas coming as they are helping a lot!

Dark to hide stains, light to hide dust. And for boys, medium dark pattern. Black (or chocolate brown) stripes sound like madness, because they will show all the light colored shnibbles (crackers, break, whatever other detritus that boys generate). White stripes sound undesirable as well because even a drop of anything (chocolate milk, catsup, etc.) will show forever. Pattern, pattern, pattern. That said, I think the stripes would look stunning. (For about two days.) Stripes - in the right scale - are always very architectural to my eye. A nice "finished" look.

Thank you, straw. I think Khalid also grows the Cl. Crimson Glory. That one is a 'for sure' purchase. I really want CS, but may put it on a fence to make dead-heading easier. I think I've eliminated Felicia and Blossomtime for now due to sun issues. I really just want them all, but it's too much $$$! : ( I'm planning an arbor, but don't know how soon I can clear out that area, so I'll just wait and maybe get those along with parade later, but shipping is a killer. mad gallica on the antique site said I couldn't grow anything on a north wall, but I'm going to try anyway. ARE says Ballerina and Belinda are good for shade and while not as fragrant as I usually like, I can plant others in the front of this very deep sloped bed. I'm more interested in their health. I also decided florentina may be too red and clash with CG. I'm aslo getting Barcelona for the front so that's another colour to deal with. I think it's easier to mix cool pinks than any reds. I'm also getting Gruss an Aachen, Bolero and Molyneaux for elsewhere.