Here's a queen: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/fuo/1541211917.html Here's a king four poster: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/fuo/1546824613.html Here's a queen: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/fuo/1546868516.html Another queen: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/fuo/1539274706.html I think if you take some time, you could find just what you are looking for if you are near a large metropolitan area like Dallas. Just do a search on Henredon bed, Drexel bed, Ethan Allen bed, Pennsylvania House bed, Thomasville bed, etc. Also search on four poster bed. That should pull up several listings without having to go through lots of junk. Good luck! Jo

Does anyone have a set of placemats (& tableclot) for each season: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall? ...Or is that just too much? I have several for autumn, in autumnal prints/colors, including the one above. I don't have many matching cloth napkins since I like to mix and match; I also have a set of natural colored linen napkins which work well with most of the tablecloths. For the rest of the year, most of the tablecloths are some version of blue-and-white block print or batik, and I just change up the napkins, plates, glassware, etc. for the seasons. Other than wood/grass/bamboo placemats, do your placemats ever look the same after the first wash? It seems the sewn/2-sided ones never do for me. My placemats are all wicker/rattan/grass, or cork-backed (Pimpernel), so this hasn't been a problem. Be aware that the current Pimpernel placemats are nowhere near the quality they used to be. And, what do you do about stains? Not having to worry about them is definitely another plus in my book for colorful patterns : ) . Especially since we're hosting Canadian Thanksgiving later today with about 25 people. I wouldn't worry too much about placemats not looking the same after washing. I think there's something lovely and welcoming about well-used, and clearly well-loved, table linens, that show they're used often to welcome others around the table. And unless you're actually hosting very formal dinners, I think there's a lot to be said for guests as well as hosts not worrying too much about perfect, pristine-looking table linens through the entire meal. As a guest or a host, I would much rather concentrate on the conversation, family, friends, than worrying about spills and stains that might happen or have happened. At one dinner with a heavy white damask tablecloth and napkins, and all the best silver sparkling, the conviviality came to a screeching halt after a guest spilled a glass of red wine, and the hostess seemed distracted and upset; we all pretty much got the impression that she couldn't wait for us to leave to break out the club soda. I also think of the napkins and other linens I have from my mother, some older embroidered napkins from my grandmother, and think of the memories and history. If I can't convince you : ) , then I'd either agree with Jan's Sunbrella suggestion, or suggest linen tablecloths, placemats, and napkins, in darker colors (with a different color for each season) and a mangle/clothes press. LinenMe has some very nice things. Linen tends to look better the more it's used and washed. Good luck! Am off to preheat the oven for the turkey : )

Good point Becky! As for where I am at not, basically the exact same spot. But I finally have some inspiration that I believe will give me some direction. I've been talking about wanting to possibly do a chinoise wallpaper in here but I think using a similar fabric on the chairs would give me that vibe and insert some personality color in here. Below is with white background but I am considering a blue to add some additional color and I have quite a bit of soft blue in the adjoining room. I'm currently on the search for 2nd hand chairs since this style is so popular versus paying more at a regular store that I would then have to reupholster anyways.. I'd be up for leaving chairs natural or possibly lacquering them in a color... I think painting the little nook a color from the fabric, maybe in a shade or two darker, could also work. I'd still like to use that Murano mirror in there. That's where I am at now, I'll post again once I find chairs that work. Open to any suggestions till then.

I'd be looking for Amish craftsman in the Pa region. Google........call.