Marty (missouri), I've put a link here to the pattern for the signature quilt. Since I'm going to be working with my mom and sister on this project, and we want to get it pieced in a day (yikes!) I'm cutting out all the foundation blocks out of 6 1/2" muslin squares, and am using 5 1/2" squares, sewn on the diagonal, for the side pieces. It will give us 1 1/2" for the siganture. I know there will be waste, but this is the easiest way for my mom (84) and my sister (who has never quilted before). I am using patriotic fabrics, in blues and reds and the pattern will form x's and o's (I'm gonna call it Hugs and Kisses). The quilt will be made prior to the reunion, and everyone at least 18 will sign it on the front at the reunion as a family record. The quilting on the front around the blocks, will form a grid on the back of the quilt. Each year, I will write the year on one grid block on the back, and everyone in attendance will sign it within the grid. That will give us over 20 years worth of "who was there". I will take the quilt to the reunions every year. Don't know what I'll do with it then. I haven't told anyone but my mom and sister about this quilt...it's gonna be a surprize for everyone. The reunion is in August. Caroyn- Your new sewing room to be is just awesome!! It's great that there are shelves in there already! Hope this year goes by quickly for you! Here is a link that might be useful: signature quilt block pattern

Bumblebeez - the vent is actually the wall color as of about 4 days ago. We had to replace the vent a few weeks ago & hadn't gotten to painting it yet, but it was on DH's to-do list for his vacation. :) sasafras - nothing, it was a space I had put on the back burner. Actually that's not true, I have a (small) antique trunk that I had pushed there to get it out of the way. :O cearbhail - floating, or anchored over a piece of furniture? (Art that I like is hard to come by - it may be a stretch to find a whole wall's worth but I'm certainly willing to try) runninginplace - we had considered having our cabinet maker create a bookcase (not built-in though) that would match the cabinetry. I recently gave away most of my paper books (we're an e-reader family), but we have other things we could display in it. I wondered, though, since a bookshelf is going to be solid, and that back wall has that apothecary chest (with the lamp on it), and the sofa parallel to the archway has a sofa table, is it going to be like walking into "table, table, table" and seem too - tabley. :) farmchic - interesting. I have displayed antique kilims on the wall but never a quilt. I like the bench idea, though - hadn't thought of that. As for function of the space - I really don't have a desired function for it right now. I may not need it to be functional (I feel like I just broke a law!), I may just need it to be - inviting. The dining room is an office while our basement is being finished - it should be finished around summer (we're our own GCs). Once it's finished we will most likely use the dining room as a -- who knows what, sort of hybrid sitting/reading/relaxing room (with no TV). The basement will have a "home theater" room and a game area, wet bar, office, storage, full bath, and a bedroom/bonus room with walkout access. Let me see if I can get a wider angle pic that shows the sofa table. I'd really like all of your input on whether or not I'm "room full of tables" if I do something like a console table, game table, or even the bookcase. This morning DH suggested one of those ladder-style open/leaning bookshelves. Which he has mentioned before. So I should also say that we have a very rambunctious 4 y/o! :)

I think it might work great, but white is tricky since the white of the countertop won't exactly match the white of the subway tile/cabinets. A very light grey would be probably be easier to match, although I don't know if that color scheme would be as timeless as all white. We ended up going with no backsplash (!!) and just the light grey walls. But I love an all white kitchen - and I think you might have the not-quite matching issue with most countertop color options (unless you go with a darker counter, I guess).

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