I post on the Fruit and Orchards forum and the people over there are forever taking about the best ways to net blueberries so the birds don't eat them all. I know that when I was first looking into bird attracting berries no one ever mentioned blueberries but the birds go nuts over them. Anyway, before I planted the 12 new blueberries I already had about 20 in my yard but many of those are not mature so only afew are giving fruit. I just kept planting more blueberries so that there might be enough for everyone. When these two newer batches of Blueberry shrubs mature, there surely should be enough. I like to go out in the morning and eat ripe blueberries straight off the shrubs. So far there has never been enough to actually pick some to bring inside. Good timing on my planting as it raining today so they should get a good soaking, along with the hardy and fragrant lily bulbs I planted this week and lots of rose shrubs because they are pretty.

Tinker - I really respect your willingness to keep as much of the home as you could. It is absolutely beautiful and exactly the style I would choose as well. We're just finishing picking fixtures for our new addition and fell in love with that style of schoolhouse fixture you put in the kitchen. I love your kitchen! That would be a dream space for me. And the laundry - oh, the laundry! In theory, I agree with totsuka. I think that the bar has been raised in this country, and many people are putting upgrades in their kitchens and baths that aren't necessary. It would be silly to put granite countertops in our modest bungalow, but I think some home buyers expect it. HGTV or whatever has made us think that somehow cooking on certain surfaces is mandatory. I was struck when I lived in England how dingy that carpet often was and how home dwellers didn't seem to notice. I appreciate that sense that if it works it's okay even if it isn't current. Maybe I misread the aesthetic there, but I had the sense they had lower expectations, at least in my circles. Not everything had to be perfect, and people were used to living in older spaces. But having said that, what you did is extraordinary. And if you have the money, I think home improvement is one of the most satisfactory ways to spend your money, especially if you are committed to restoring rather than renovating.

Well, the trip to my friend's house was enlightening. She has a pale, creamy yellow from Lowe's, Churchill Hotel Hazy Yellow. I was expecting the cabinet to blend too much up against it, but it really didn't. It didn't POP like it would against a green, but it didn't look bad either...I kinda liked it. I think her cream seems a bit too light, I would prefer something a bit more gold, but I think the color in general is a possibility. I didn't think my backsplash tiles would work with the yellow either, but they looked quite nice too. The yellow made the blues and greens in the tile pop more which could be nice for using those colors as accents in window treatments, etc. Lastly, was the floor tile (Yes, my friend thinks I am nuts for lugging all my samples over to house, but she's a brutally honest person so I trust her opinion). She has natural maple wood floors and my tile is almost the same tone as her wood...kinda funny. We decided the tile looked fine. If the walls were any more yellow, the floor might look a little dingy, but I think I would be ok if I stay with a creamy, yellow/gold. Also, the same friend has a pretty olive green in her family room. So, she hunted down the paint and guess what it was...Nantucket Gray! Funny bc even she thought the Nan. Gray was much more brown in my house. I guess it's all about lighting. So, where does this leave me? I think I am going to sample a few creamy yellows in my space just to see. Just like the Nantucket Gray looked so different in our homes, so could the yellows. I have not ruled out the idea of a green bc I do think it could look awesome if I wasn't so color-challenged. You have all given me so many great colors to sample. As Amysrq said I should pick a couple sample colors that scare me and one of them just might be it. Thanks again. I promise to post once I decide and absolutely once the kitchen is done!

Wow!!! An incredible story -- and amazing that you have dealt so well with such a mess! Well done indeed! :) 1) Yes -- another vote for the round table and more managable chairs. Pare down the chairs. Put the extras on your local Craigs List! 2) Yes -- another vote to extend the radiator cover. 3) Yes -- another vote to check out options like adding an outdoor screen in front of the window (with a fast cover like ivy that likes less sun) OR adding a covering like stained glass in a modern pattern OR simply adding bamboo blinds 4) Another vote for basic trim that matches the rest of the house. 5) Another vote to add a dash of color with cushions for the chairs (could have a couple of sets that work in different seasons?) and tablecloths. You have many many wonderful ideas -- hope you keep posting updates and photos!! Jan at Rosemary Cottage