Jleroi - you GO! Heck, I'm just excited I've got some blooms...so I won't be far behind you guys that live over there in that area of the Almeda Royalty! LOL! If I still lived in a suburban area as I did for almost 50 years, I too would be working the square foot planting method. I have friends in Tuttle that still use this method, although they live on 1 and 1/2 acre. I can see DEFINITE benefits, but I'm in a different spot in life. I delight in my nightly strolls between the garden areas! I didn't live rural until 4 years ago, and I absolutely LOVE having the space. They'll have to drag my old, feeble, crazy mind in my body back to the city some day...but I won't care because I won't know! Until then, I'm lovin' my space. But if life had dealt me different cards, I'd still garden..in whatever space I had. It's good for the soul..and the body.

I didn't want to sign up for the NYT online, but serendipity happens. I opened up a copy of Lawn and Garden Retail and come upon an article written by Judy Sharpton. I suspect this is what the NYT article is based on. Interesting read. Although I don't buy into believing everything one reads in print, she does make some convincing arguments as to demographics. I listen to demographics. The thing is, we can't close our ears to things we just don't want to hear and I think some of the trends she mentions have validity, although I don't think she nessecarily comes up with the ultimate reason for these trends. She mentions container gardening, and an increase in it's popularity and also the shift from mass market purchase of plants in flats to plants in smaller packaged sizes. I can attest that shift has happened to my market. I believe it has more to do with instant gratification, and a time priority shift, and not so much with the end user not wanting or being interested in gardening. She sees the role of garden maitenance and landscaping increasing, and product marketing decreasing and that is what I am seeing. It's good food for thought, anyhow. Hey, wishes for success in '06!

A 2 bedrm is not an efficiency; that's an oxymoron. An efficiency usually has no bedrooms and a 2 bedrm has two bedrooms. Whites and creams don't always equal spacious; they can make a room closed in and sterile. You listed the photos, okay. That's how many do it. I do like your inspiration room, it's a very popular type of styling right now. It is unfussy and seems effortless, but it can be a difficult styling to pull off, without a keen eye and restraint. First you should describe in three single words why you are inspired by this particular room. (ie, bright, airy, colorful, restful, etc.) Don't list what things you 'like' (painted wood, turquoise) but the feeling or adjectives that describe the benefits of your inspiration room. These words will help you make decisions in the future, for instance if you are shopping for a rug that is decidedly traditional, and 'traditional' isn't one of your words, you might want to keep looking. Next, list all of the elements in this room that you can. Not just the ones you like. The person who designed this room probably took great care in choosing items, and if you 'go off plan' you may end up with a room not at all like the inspiration and one you don't like. I would describe the room as relaxed, orderly and light in a transitional style with pops of color and dark accents. I would list the elements as. 1. beige/off white walls, carpet, upholstery. 2. White trim, wainscoting, beige above. 3. Very light curtains that the light shines thru with light metal poles hung high. 4. Symmetry, in lamps and accessories. 5. Transitional lamps in light 'disappearing' color with large white shades. 6. accent: Painted side table with refinished wood top. 7. accent: painted bookcase over TV. 8. Accent: dark wood mantel and black FP. 9. white; off white, plush pillows. White/off white throw 10. Serine painting in the contemporary surrealistic landscape w/large sky 11. Accent: dark brown, large stuffed ottoman. 12. Light airy plants. milk glass. Silver candle sticks. 13. Symmetrical arrangement of prints (above couch). 14. pieces pushed up to the walls, except for the back of one piece (to the DR) and the central ottoman that you can easily walk around. To answer your concerns. A Jacobean print would be okay in this room, but a heavy fabric and busy pattern could pull down the whole feeling of the walls and windows. Look for an embroidered sheer fabric, or a Jacobean print in very washed out colors. Slip cover all large pieces in off white. Think of allowing some furniture pieces or casework to retain it's dark wood colors, so there's a dark accent like the ottoman and FP (both in the center) Look for a very light design, modern carpet, for the center. Don't pile in the turquoise and green accent pieces. Use off white pillows, or the palest celery green. Pillows may have embroidery. Consider some completely plain accents, like the throw and lamps in the inspiration. This post was edited by Lilylore on Tue, Nov 11, 14 at 14:39

We started downsizing today. We've lived in this house for 33 years, raised 3 kids and had the pleasure of having my Dad live with us for the last 5 years of his life. We've done so much to this place that it's hard to leave - we put on a 1,000 sq ft addition, added a porch and a pool but now's the time to transition and we've decided to move to an over 55 community near our home. DH went through his closet, chest of drawers and easily eliminated 90% of his clothes. Now that he's retired he no longer needs multiple suits, sport coats and ties, plus he's slimmed down and most are too large. Unfortunately I haven't slimmed down and my closet is full of clothes that will fit at various weights. But you have to start somewhere and since DH has made the first move it's up to me to continue. Now that we know where we're going and when it will be much easier. Most of our furniture will go with us and actually look better in the new place. We'll offer some of the bedroom furniture to the kids and then donate what they don't want. A realtor is coming tomorrow to give us an appraisal and then we start getting the rest of the house ready.