We are on plan version 44. Most of those versions with us also came in the 5 years that we designed the house before we started building. Some changes were fairly major, others were a series of minor changes until I felt like I needed to save it as a new version number (easier to go back on a change if you saved the previous versions). It is very interesting to open all of the old versions and follow them thru the changes that we made. The final version is 1,000% better than the first versions we started with !!! Lots of great suggestions from GW building, kitchen, and bath forums thru the years.

Thanks everyone for their insight. Our house finally closed yesterday. Of course you go through a lot of emotions, at least we did, (Couldn't wait for it to sell, then became sad at the thought of really leaving it...etc) but now that we've settled into a rental, we're happy to be done with the whole selling side of things. We also feel grateful to have had a sucessful sale in this market. Now that we are in the buyer's seat we still doubt WE would be able to make an intellegent decision based on one visit. Our needs/wants are a bit more unique than the average buyer though. If it were just my husband and I, I could see falling in love with something perfect for the two of us when I walked in the front door...in fact I did: We made an offer the other day on a home that I DID fall in love with on the first visit. I loved it when we pulled up and throughout the whole house. Had it not been an evening visit and we couldn't see most of the yard, I'm sure I would have talked my Husband into offering then and there. Come to find out, it was a short sale and in reality it was perfect for US, but not for our son. We convinced ourselves that we could make the modifications needed to make it work for everyone. Our Agent explained it could take months to hear back so we could offer and continue to look and pull the offer at anytime so we decided to go for it. We have since rescinded the offer when we realized no matter how much I wanted it, and modifications included it wasn't the right house for ALL the family members. I would have always felt it was a selfish decision. Since then we've gone back to another house we've been watching for a 3rd visit..... and now plan to offer on because it's a good compromise house for everyone. I guess it took 3 visits to convince me that I was doing the right thing by choosing this one. It's not that I didn't like it, it was just not what I had envisioned we would buy which was a forever dream home. I've realized it might not be possible to mesh what is perfect for me with the needs of my son. So, after that really sank in and I became ok with it, I feel good about this offer. It's a low offer (I think it's overpriced and part of the reason it's been on the market 10 months) so if we get it, we will be able to make the changes I want that would make me happier with it, and it is an AWESOME place for my son's needs. Wish us luck!

Just: Nice about your DH! Saves a lot of time and money that way! bird: True about the mirror . . I used to have one in there over the buffet. It was across from a big, not esp. nice bookcase, but on top I put a picture . . .so you could see the picture in the reflection, even from the living room. I can't do that now with the china cabinet, though. I like your idea of shelves. I keep wanting to put an antique fireplace mantle opposite the china cabinet (did I already say that on this thread?) but it might look silly, so just the shelf might do the trick. I can't wait to see before/after pics of your own room! mimi: Thank you! Yes, the tablecloth really needs to be improved. My problem is that I want a vintage one, but most vintage ones would show stains easily and I have young children (truth be told, I'm a messy eater myself!). I thought the one on the table was a bold pink (from the e-bay picture) so I was surprised when I got it and it was so pale! Thank you for the suggestions! andee: I agree . . .I am not too fond of where that server is . . .like you said, it's right by the refrigerator, and it just sort of seems like it's floating there. I wanted it close to the kitchen (for functionality) and the bookcase was on the other convenient wall . . .but we've moved things around now (see pics below). I think it's an improvement (the location of the server, not the bookcase). kjmama: I checked my library and they don't have it, but I did find it cheaply on Amazon. Thank you! I know this does not look good, but I moved a bookcase we already had into the room just for now. I also moved the server to another wall. I think I am going to keep my eye out for a white corner cabinet without glass (but with a cabinet below) to replace the bookcase. Good idea or no? Maybe I can put a mirror over the server since it is across from the window?

Well, I enjoy pruning and directing shape. I try and get to newly installed shrubs during their second or third year to sort of make sure they are growing evenly and in good proportion- no wacko branches growing wild or ruining the form I have in mind. I like to do this while they are still small enough to get into and around easily. After their basic shape is established then going forward I have to do very little. I look at them each spring before they leaf out because it's easier to see their structure then and I clear anything that does not fit into my idea of how I want them to look from my primary viewing angle. Most of my paniuclatas have ground cover or smaller shrubs in front of or even underneath them- these I clear out some of the lower/smaller branches. I have a big yard but even then I always seem to need more space with dappled sun for hostas etc. and this gives me tons more space than if I let the hydrangeas take up all the space underneath. Here's a huge Quickfire (fence is six feet) that shows how I lift up the bottom to allow space for plants underneath and around it. There are some young hostas and other things under there.