I would defintely tell the builder your plans for a tv later. The brick/stone mason can install conduit within the brick, and the electrician can run an outlet to be placed above the mantel. Even before the tv, you may enjoy having an outlet there in case you want to put lamps on the mantel. -Karen Duke (a fireplace shop owner)

I'm still around, kat . . . just trying to stay alive in our extreme COLD :) Good luck with your writing contests, alisande! Here are a couple of my latest wins. My $2500 burger in Napa in September (in 100º heat, hence the tomato-face :), and a week later in NYC with Tyler Florence and Justin and Henry, the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog guys:

Rosefolly, to tell you the truth I have trouble telling the old roses apart - they all seem so similar to me - apart from with these three, I have no experience at all. Infact, the first two season that I had them, I pruned them as you would an HT but they threw out these huge canes so I decided to leave them. They are actually rather naked around the bottom that's why I pruned 1/3 of the canes quite low this year. Seems to have helped, They look a lot fuller round the bottom. I have two post going now, which is a little awkward - have just posted two more pics under http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3106848/expert-help-required-does-somebody-recognise-this-rose?n=3 on the Antique Roses Forum Would appreciate any replies under that thread - thanks

Is it possible to pull the sectional out some? The room needs some art, maybe some other colored pillows for the sectional. Switch out some for a color you like.