FWIW (for what it's worth), I think you did a great job with your arrangement -- and I adore those two giraffes munching up there :) even with a grand chandy, lol. I'd just keep the center pic off-center, back in the bushes a bit : ) not smack dab in the middle. As far as the light, it's like they're basking in the Sun :) And if you're enjoying it, too, well, that's why it's up there! I can imagine after trimming and getting an appropriate fixture, for many, it would still need something on the ledge. Esp if it's maybe a foot deep. I'd also imagine it was intended for display or it wouldn't be quite so deep. Anyway, do remember, you are actually in the space. Not only can you see the bigger picture, but you can also see and feel what it needs much better than anyone sitting out here lookin' at some tiny little photo : ) And it's obvious from reading on GW that the people who contribute here vary in their preferences and style widely. Just 'take what you need, and leave the rest' as they say : ) Apply as needed. I don't know why some people need to 'sting' with their comments to make their point, but they do come around here. Grain of salt. And you're so right -- pictures never do justice : ) (Unless, of course, they're selling something :) It does sound like you've figured out what you want to do now, though. If it's the sill you're confused about, you've figured that out too -- you like it up there! and don't without : ) Enjoy having made somewhat of a decision with dh about the treatment -- trim at this point : )

Ahhh, the question to end all questions. I am househunting as well, and have asked myself the same question many times, so I don't know that I have the best answer for you. Plus you factor in the differences in opinion between the family members and that makes it even more complicated. It is different for every person out there that is house hunting based on their needs. Here is one thing that helped me a bit when my mom pointed it out based on something that I said about one particular house....think of how you live and your day to day activities. Now think of doing all that in that house. How does it work? Are you struggling to find a place to put your coat and shoes without a coat closet? Is that important to you? Are your kids bikes in the way of backing out your car when want to navigate that tight driveway? When you wake up in the morning, do you want to have a quiet place away to drink your coffee and check your email like that loft? Or will that just be wasted space that you feel that you have to furnish and wont ever use? If you want to have children, what happens with the 3 bedroom thing? What if your teen kids don't want to share? Just sit back and imagine yourself living there. Reality is, some things will drive some people crazy, when it is embraced by somebody else. The house hunt is obviously filled with give and take, but what matters the most is what works for you.

If you want more volume, but don't want to go the 'volumizing shampoo route', try reading the ingredients in the shampoo you usually use. If you see sodium laurel sulphate--immediately toss the bottle in the trash, even if it's almost full. SLS is terrible for both hair and scalp. It's clinically used to produce rashes to test medications for them. It strips your hair, makes it thin and unhealthy. And unfortnately, it's in many, many shampoos. Why? It makes them foam. Totally there for 'show'. Since most of us are adults and making elaborate hair sculptures isn't a necessary part of shampooing for us--we don't need SLS. I use an organic shampoo--it doesn't suds like the regular supermarket shampoos do, BUT it cleans my hair beautifully, and unbelievably, my hair is way, way thicker and healthier now--at age 60--than it was when I was 50 (and still using supermarket shampoo). Just switching to a SLS free shampoo will make a noticeable difference in the thickness/health of your hair. Of course, you have to wait patiently for the new, healthy hair to grow out. And you need to educate yourself about SLS--it's one of those components that goes by many names. Seriously, though, I don't think my hair has been this healthy for about 40 years. WELL worth the extra $$$ for a better shampoo.

Chiming in again, since I guess that I started the whole shampoo bar thing here. Before I went on the Camino last year I trialed several bars. I rather liked the Grapefruit bar from Sweetsnthings, but I had also bought a bar made by Tree Hut at a local store. It was their 4 in 1 Mango bar. I really loooooved how it made my hair feel, and it smells yummy, so that's what I took on the Camino with me, and I liked everything about it. It's got more, for want of a better word, "chemically" ingredients, more like a traditional liquid shampoo, but worked better for me than the other bars, especially since I have hard water at home, and wasn't able to do an ACV rinse on the Camino. When I returned home from Spain I went to buy some more, but discovered that it had been discontinued! I managed to find 3 bars on clearance, which I am hoarding for my next Camino walk. (this summer, yay!) But now my search was on to find a replacement. I've been usingthis one from another Etsy vendor, LakeSuperiorSoap, and it leaves my hair soft and silky. The scent is nice, but pretty strong. I have also tried this one from GetLathered on Etsy. I like it too, but not quite as much. Neither shampoo leaves any kind of residue in my hair. After shampooing I use a quick swipe of this conditioner bar through my hair to make it easier to comb, but it hasn't been that hard to comb without it. The conditioner bar has lasted forever.