kristinamaria and teacats, you are on the same wavelength. I think I will do that... find the fabric first. And teacats, I absolutely LOVE THAT FABRIC. Seriously, I LOVE it!! I am going to go back to that site in a minute and see about a sample. Thanks for linking that. I luv my GW friends. :o) You all are so helpful. Each person has something to share that I had not thought of/had not realized. Thanks for sharing all of your advice. I'm going to find the fabric and see if I can get my green in the fabric, and then I think I'll go with whatever blue the "experts" have put in the fabric. I'm just not the best with paint colors. Thanks! ;o) mrsrose, I am headed out the door in a few minutes, but will post a few kitchen shots on here later today for you to see. Thanks for the compliments from you and lindybarts too. ;o)

You'll probably get more responses on the Home Decorating Forum -- even for an office. Here is a link that might be useful: Home Decorating

This is hard question to answer -- simply because the answers depend on how you like a room to feel when you are working! I really like the depth and tone of the paint color -- and think it will work well for an office BUT our own home office/guest room is painted in deep olive! Soooooo ... do you like to work in bright sunny "open" rooms -- or do you like cozy spaces for work? IF you do like a cozy space -- remember to add LOTS of lamps around the whole space. We have two very tall buffet lamps on the main desk -- and a swing-arm lamp over the sofa bed AND a smaller lamp over an antique cupboard! Lighting options can be a key element to making an office space work well. For the back wall -- I would recommend bookcases or bookshelves! For example -- check out the "Billy" bookcases at Ikea. Those bookshelves come in two heights -- you could do two tall bookcases at each end of the wall -- and then a shorter one in the middle. Add an artwork over the smaller bookcase. Add bookcase lighting to the taller ones. Or you could add a long thin console table or cabinet -- with three large bulletin boards over the table -- cover with co-ordinating fabric to the rest of the room. Or check out "art.com" -- and simply broswe through categories that might appeal to you and see if a particular artists name might keep cropping up! I've included a hot link over to art.com -- and a selection from my favorite artist -- Chardin -- from the 18th century. Rich extraordinary colors. Another more modern artist is Nicole Etienne. Check out her artworks at art.com. Other possible art selections -- could be maps (new, old, vintage) of places that you might have lived or visited or hope to visit. Or perhaps a grid of (new, old or vintage) botanical prints? Or perhaps a grid of black-and-white photos of local sites or architecture of your area? Hope this helps! Jan at Rosemary Cottage Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- Jean-Baptiste Chardin

No do not brick to the ceiling. Get the surround off and put a mantel. let the wall above the wainscot be a wall. Urgg... she knows that mantel is worth something, as do I but that was nice of you maybe she will throw you a price break lol. You just need to get it off. and I would think now before the painters finish, perhaps they can patch and touch up. I think the glory will be the simplistic feel of it honestly. I like the décor you have going and I think until you get to the balance of the furniture and fireplace I would leave it for now. (MAYBE ASK THE PAINTER/DECO LADY IF SHE CAN GET IT OFF THE WALL AS PART OF THE GIFTING PROCESS) I think a recliner that swivels would be a good fit for you, Im not sold on matching but if you like it do it!