Wanted to give an update so this isn't left hanging and maybe this info will help someone else at some point. justerrilynn what you said about 'not messing with the feel of the room' really struck a chord with me and made me re-examine the reasons I wanted woven wood shades. Being honest with myself it's because I see them everywhere online, every blog, every designer's portfolio, pinterest, insta.... 90% of the time with white curtains. It's a great look and one that works in a lot of settings but that's not a valid reason to play me, too. Plus it's a little too 'of the moment' IYKWIM and will change the focus of the room. Decided to to a test run on only the 2 windows flanking the TV because that limits the loss if we hate it and we can always order more if we like it. DH installed them yesterday and I think we've hit on a way to attractively and easily cut glare when needed and not compromise the look of the windows when shades are up which is 98% of the time. Thank you for helping me get there!

Thank you @littlebug zone 5 Missouri! I do plan to replace the railings on the stoop. I was thinking simple square wooden posts & rails painted white, like this But now I also like the black metal ones suggested by @emmarene9 and am seeing a few examples on pinterest I like with a similar look. More decisions! The plan for the walkway is dark grey patio stones, 18x24". 6' wide at the base of the stairs for a landing and 4' the rest of the way to the sidewalk. I have a path to the rear door (the one I and friends/family use) from the driveway already, so this front one is just for folks coming off the street. The concrete steps are in good condition and have just been re-levelled. Gave them a pressure-wash a few weeks ago and will do another in the spring but no other surface work is planned for them. I've read so many comments here about planting beds being too narrow, so I wanted to ensure at least 6' of depth for mine! I've gotten a few comments irl saying they look freakishly BIG but I know it'll all come together once they're filled in with plants. This is a rough layout from placing new sod; I will be tweaking the shape slightly in spring to get more rounded corners. :)

what you are paying for is reliability and actual performance, mostly of the oven. Mid level is fine for most people look at the Z line thread on this board for an eye opener of reliability and performance. Parts breaking right and left, oven is all over the place with evenness of heating.. You would think that an oven is an oven, but keeping the temp steady and distributed throughout the oven is not easy as you think judging by posts, I would stay away from the Italian and Chinese mfgs. Most of the threads are middling/negative with an occasional "I got a good one !" thrown in Make sure that there are actual techs in the area that work on whatever you buy as everything breaks

Thanks, all. I’m propped up in said bed typing this very response and I haven’t had one ounce of buyer’s remorse. I’m hoping this is the last bed I’ll ever buy. @Sueb20, it’s a little painting. The artist is Alice Hammell, out of Oxford, Mississippi. I bought it at an art festival in my early twenties, when the tiny size made it at least borderline affordable. I thought I was really something, having just bought Real Art created by a By God Real Artist. I still adore the painting, which is why it has a special spot by the bed.