Not sure that I have anything useful to offer but wanted to say thanks to all who shared thoughts and Magnaverde, ohmygoodness! I used to say that I collect collections because it seems I have so many of them. I know what to do with small amounts of things but a couple of mine are quite large and I'm quite lost. One is a collection of miniature glass animals that was started in childhood. Not worth much of anything except for sentimental value. As a child I kept them in old printer trays, which I wish I still had. Those were lost in one move or another so now they are all packed up and in a closet because I can't figure out what to do with them. The other is a collection of figurines, several hundred I'm sure, of character either reading or writing (since that's my trade.) Right now they are in a china cabinet in my office. A few are on the bookcases in the library but there are too many to have out on the shelves because then there would be no room left. I don't know that what I have is the best place for them but it's the only place I can corral them all.

Since I specifically stated those aren’t changing in post any suggestions on the items I did ask for suggestions on? “Keeping furniture and carpet” Furniture and carpet are not an option right now. If I could I would change out entire house and get a new one, but everything isn’t an option.

Patricia Colwell Consulting: Floor, Mannington "Century Pebble" LVT, needed to be rigid core. Looks like terrazzo, light gray/tan. Thanks for reminder about "stuff". We are wanting to keep the space fresh. Getting new furniture, decor is taking weeks, even months these days. Only piece I'm emotionally attached to is table from family but that will get update. The space out door will have a deck, then be integrated into green space, plantings of perennials (pinks/whites), trees, bird baths/feeders, open country, sunsets. New fire pit. Privacy isn't a huge issue but will want to have an option. It's also NORTH exposure/back yard, gets mid to late afternoon sun. Trees and distance to the neighbors. Room is for relaxing, decompressing, restoring, staving off winter blues, enjoying a meal with nature. I want to read/art/music, my guy wants tv (I don't but I won't win that battle). It will have a Tiara II Heat N Glo direct vent gas stove in the corner. It is very comfortable.

rutabaga (what a fun handle!), I really like the warmth of the portrait/chest of drawers/lamp vignette that chloebud posted. What if you tweaked things up just a little and bought a new entrance table that was wider yet narrow and rectangular to go on the entry wall? The top could hold a lamp on the left and a small potted plant on the right and on the lower shelf you could place the standing statue on the left, some Lincoln-themed books with the framed quote leaning against them in the middle, and the candle holder on the right. Your beautiful Lincoln portrait would go on the wall above. The lamp can be set on a timer so that it comes on every evening to give warmth to your entry way and to highlight the portrait (lucky you - there's an outlet on that very wall). Because the table would be right next to a window many plants would do very well in that spot but keep the plant and pot somwhat small to not overwhelm being on the top shelf. If you have concern about a living plant possibly damaging the top of the table you can find really beautiful small faux ferns online or a faux floral display of your choice. Here's one such table that I found on the rainforest site. It is very inexpensive and the dimensions are good: 39" wide and 12" deep. Look for "ChooChoo Narrow Console Table with Drawer". You might find something of higher quality that has a similar look in your area. Best wishes...