I am in complete agreement with Annie Deighnaugh. You could also try a geometric pattern --like the trellis she pictured-- in the reverse color way (blue on white ground). For a more finished look, you could add a tape trim to the leading and bottom edges of the panels and add a solid linen valance or pelmet, also trimmed with tape, which would conceal the drapery rods (and the fact they're not full panels!). If you're really looking to keep costs to a minimum, you could use the print for the valance and the solid for the panels. I have dozens of pictures showing just what I've described and will try to post some for you to see.

The plant does not need 24 hour light. Remember that it the wild it would only get light in the day. It will not be very happy with only artificial light (depending on the plant) but it will survive (again, depending on the plant.) rhizo is correct about plants only being able to clean certain chemical gasses from the air. There are other benefits however. It will provide a little more oxygen in the air and will make the room feel fresher just with a well placed piece of nature. Even if the air is no better, the room will feel more inviting and fresh. It will also increase humidity. You will have to do some research as to which light will be best. I have found, after a lot of research, that the right kind of fluorescent light bulb works fine. It has certainly helped my struggling basil plant make it through the winter. This can be a cheap way to get a lot of light. It has become the main room light for me. If you have it on a timer it will be easier to ensure that the light is at the right times and does not throw the plants off with irregular lighting. Plants that need less sun will do better under a light. Pothos is definitely a resilient plant that will keep growing insanely fast. When you take cuttings from the original plant you will soon find that you have more plants then you know what to do with. I have seen them grow in rooms where their only source of light is fluorescent. Even in a dark restaurant I have seen them still surviving. Another option is a Spathaphillium a.k.a. Peace Lilly. It is another very easy to grow plant. It was my first one and I often forgot to water it. Thankfully it would warn me before it died by wilting dramatically. This was not very good for the plant but when I would water it it would spring back up. It likes filtered light and can deal with little light. It also has attractive foliage with many blooms that come up often. Also, according to NASA research it is among the best plants to grow for purifying your air. I also noticed that you have a big empty spot on the floor. Pothos are vining plants so you might want to hang it. This would be a problem if you wanted a big heavy plant. A bigger plant will provide more benefits to the air. You might be able to find a stand for a pothos. Spathaphilliums can be small however there are some very large varietys. Often grown in malls I have found that my local Wal-Mart sells them for about $15 for size that would work well for you. You might be able to find them in other stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Then again, it could very well be more of an investment of time, space, energy, lighting fixtures, and money then you are ready to put in to a large plant. Small plants will require less artificial light, less time, less effort to move, and the ability to put something else in that space like a table with the plant on it. What ever plant you chose, please do enough research to make sure that it will fit your needs. If it is to high maintenance, will die in the conditions you have, or will get to big, nether you nor the plant will be happy. I wish you success in finding a plant that will be happy there and will make you happy. L.G. http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html P.S. In this link the third paragraph from the bottom of the article tells you how much plant is needed to clean how much air. 15 NASA Plants to Clean the Air

I like the last 3 - though still not what I'd do. Too much going on in them, and we tend to have too much clutter to add business to the walls. I wish I could keep things cleaner but we're fairly useless. Hopefully with these movements we'll be able to shed some crap. But I've been pretty bold lately... pained one room white (mascarpone) and teal... and we have a living room painted in mascarpone and cayenne, and the dining room is mascarpone and Adriatic (if I'm remembering properly - it's a deep blue). I think if we do something interesting with the closet doors (with color) then I'll leave the small wall white - but otherwise, I may paint. I'll leave the glass bricks open - that's the only "natural" light that comes into the bathroom.

LisaMac- JuneKnow knows. What is that saying about throwing good money after bad? Not that your house is bad of course, it is perfectly fine as is, but just not for your current needs. It would be great for another family at a different stage of life. Do you think you can just hold on and do a serious search for a one-story home? Would you be willing to look outside your immediate neighborhood to find it? How aggressive would you be to look? If I were in your shoes now, I would drive around every single weekend and if you see a ranch house that looks to be the size you want, slip under the door and in the mail box index cards you had printed that says something like, "My husband and I really like your house! If you are thinking of selling your home, please contact us, we are interested in purchasing it to live in, please contact us. Sally and Joe Blow, Phone, email." Then you may get contacted by the owner or the real estate agent as these people decide to sell, or if they pass away. You can also contact a real estate agent that specializes in the geographic area you want and tell him/her that you need a one story home and specify the other things you need, e.g another full bathroom and bedroom not right next to the master but not at the other end of the house that will allow you to dress without awakening your husband. Or whatever it is that you want. For sure, you are not the only couple with different schedules, you may find what you are looking for. The other thing is, assuming you are willing to sell your house and buy another house that is all on one floor. Are you willing to compromise to get that one-floor house, such as less bedrooms? Even if grandchildren sleep over, you can use bunk beds, kids love those. Even bunk beds with trundle beds. If your husband needs a workshop you can have one added to the back yard with a big shed with electricity added to it unless you find that miracle of a three car garage. So you can do a three bedroom house instead of a 4. it is something to think about, because it seems the pros here have told you that you can't achieve the re-model you want with the money you have to spend on it. (One thing you should know, just because someone doesn't have PRO next to their name doesn't mean they aren't a professional. Some people prefer to be anonymous.)