LOL Sue! I should have prefaced the LR picture. That is an old, old picture from about 4yrs or so ago. The banana leaf table in that pic is in the basement. W/ more kids running around there just wasn't enough space for all of them and the coffee table (it's about 42" in diameter). Our current coffee table is this $2 find: And I have 3 trunks in the attic that I've used for a coffee table at various times. The one that I'm thinking of is a big old white tool chest that has great moulding on it. It was one of my first auction buys w/ my mom almost 20yrs ago. It would also be a great space to store throws and extra pillows if I chose to use that one. At any rate - last minute thought last night worked out great. I thought why not buy both and put them both in the LR for one large rug? There's no repeat pattern and I could quickly whipstitch the 2 together. DH was sweet enough to agree and went out and got the 2nd one for me (that was an ordeal when the store sold him the wrong rug - but he volunteered to go back and make sure that I got the right one - he's so sweet!). Looks great and I've ended up w/ a 10'x14' rug for $100. I tried to take some pictures w/ DH's camera this morning but his battery was dead too!!!!! Fingers crossed this wjnd. or tonight I will get pictures of the rug, the requested blackboard and th erequested pic of my after Christmas sale feather trees!

We are looking at houses today, including the one that we had previously placed an offer on. Oddly enough, they wouldn't counter our offer, but they have already lowered the price 10K. But I have already talked myself out of it for issues such as the easement and the street that it is on. I don't know if this was a self protection, my way of dealing with disappointment, or if these things are still really valid and need to be strongly taken into consideration. I'll see what my reactions are to it this time around! Check out this beauty of a room at the house I loved but my husband didn't. This is a master bedroom with gorgeous wall and ceiling moldings and bay window nook. I can just picture it with a vintage chandelier in place. We are revisiting this one today to see if the second impression is different (for either of us) and bringing a friend who is a contractor to tell us about the feasibility of remodeling the bathrooms (vintage yellow and black tile that is probably fabulous but has my husband running away screaming) and the dining This post was edited by kellienoelle on Sun, Jan 13, 13 at 11:14

Oakleyok, So agree with you on the overabundance of white! White is an easy color to match other decor. Sochi, I was surprised too about the gloss and lacquer coming into the vogue. Earlier this month Awm03 posted a link to Kips Bay Decorator Show 2013 on GW - my thanks to her for it! The interiors on display clearly showcased most of the trends listed in HB. I'm re-posting the link from Awm03 here for everyone's convenience. - Brass? Check. Both in vintage/antique patina and shiny 70's-80's versions; - Bright colors? Check. Althought the bright teal bathroom isn't exactly my cup of tea, it still fascinated me at first. After some thought I conceded that it could make sense to do a small space like a powder room or nook in a bright color to add some "pop" or intrigue to an otherwise restrained house. I like the curtain and rug in the entryway design. They bring an otherwise cramped and dark space alive. The curtain would be a perfect solution for hiding a large storage unit for footwear, umbrellas, bags, dog leashes and coats on hooks or shallow shelves. - English florals? Check. The wallpaper in the lady's writing room is so pretty, it makes me dream about a small weekend cottage decorated in the style! - High gloss, lacquer and polish? Check. My favorite is the dining table with the black lacquer top and MCM-style chairs. It's probably nostalgic because the table reminds me of the 60's Czech-made sideboard and bookcase in my room back home in Moscow. They were topped with black opaque glass, had glossy walnut veneer doors on the fronts and polished oak on the sides edged with thin brass piping. MCM meets Art Deco. - James Mont style furnishings? Check. There are some lacquered pieces that clearly allude to his designs, although they are more restrained in comparison. - Art? Yep, it's definitely present there. :D Bsmith1, You make a valid point about being able to relate to the designs in magazines. My view is that there should be a bit of everything for everyone. I would add to the opinions by Palimpsest, Bronwynsmom and others that the shelter magazines give us a chance to peruse interiors designed by pros. We can't afford the high-ticket items they feature, but we can learn about paint color combinations, textile patterns or mixing and matching different styles The other day I went to a garden tour featuring several million-dollar estates. The proceeds from the tickets went to the local schools. I would never be able to afford the lavish landscaping, but I appreciated a chance to look at the work done by pros. The plant combinations, spacing of features, types of plants for different sun/terrain conditions, use of stone, etc. There was a landscape designer available for questions at one of the properties. Besides, it was a beautiful day for a walk in the gardens! Here is a link that might be useful: Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2013

@HomeInteriirsWithEase- I can see how that would be ideal, bc that would make the fireplace the focal put and connect the room. However, we have a complicated situation. My daughter with special needs is in the room through the doorway by the TV. We need to be able to go from the bathroom (behind the built in) to the room where she is in via a bath chair that rolls. Hence I need an easy path from that room to the bathroom. If the sofa is there, I would have to leave at least 3 ft between the wall and the sofa, it would be an awkward layout. Not to mention that the kids and DH like to watch TV from the kitchen table and that is behind the sofa. I have to make the best of the current layout. We can plan to love the fireplace when we remodel the kitchen. I ha e thought about a electric fireplace under the TV.