NHB, I love decorating books. I don't really use them for coffee table books - although I do have a few out in the sunroom. I love several of the magazines you listed, and for that same reason, I love decorating books. They are something I may look at time and time again for ideas, inspiration or just to enjoy the pretty pics! I would have never described you as a minimalist. To the OP, I love Kitty Bartholomew's book. There are also several cottage decor books that I love and several window treatment design books that generally show whole rooms. I also have Bunny William's book, although I will go against the grain and say that I do not like it as well as all the hype it generated. It was a bit of a let down when I got it. Still a beautiful book. Martha Stewart has a book on her new old house, or something to that effect, I greatly enjoyed it. I will have to look at some of my titles and get back to you. Charles Fraudee is a good one as several mentioned. tina

I would like to make it clear that the reason I don't have a coffee table is because of lack of space! I have gone for a nest of tables in my small sitting area. I used to have a lovely glass topped one which was given to me when I lived in the UK but I had to leave it behind when I moved back to Australia. I used it for pot plants and put it where it would catch the sun,,,so still no books on it! Woodnymph, you could be right about the glue. The worst dog damage I had was when one of my deerhounds decided to tear open a couch to make a nest of the filling to give birth!

Hmmm. This is similar to our size (6 x 7). Cabinet A opens to the stools on the left/at the top. Used for large, rarely used items (and to stash xmas presents). Cabinet B has 3 drawers; saran wraps, misc., daily used plates and bowls, tupperware. Cabinet C has: Knife drawer, nespresso packs, towels and microfibers. Cabinet D has: inset composter towards rear left; 12" drawer at top. Tip out. Triple trash/recycling pullouts. NeverMT with soap on raised shelf inside. Tap master, hafele foot pedal. It vents into cabinet A :) Cabinet E: tiled cutting board shelf. The ONLY thing DH asked for during the remodel was to have the beer/wine/beverage fridge in the island. I couldn't fit it in and get the seating I wished, so it's in the pantry. He's fine with it, and can sneak in from the garage without me always noticing... Glad to hear you're getting close!

First I want to apologize for my carelessness about the un-intended link. It seems that Houzz does this automatically when un-knowingly I type in certain combinations of letters; I can't see any editing option on the post so I can't take it out now,but I will try to be more careful in the future. Secondly I'm really glad I posted this on THIS forum as well as on "Vines" because the responses you are all giving me is what I was really hoping for...that is, I was hoping to "discuss" the question with fellow gardeners. So thank you all so much!!! I love wisteria, but am very confused. Back when I put in my first wisteria plant (Chinese one, Prolific), I read that it was "suitable for xeriscaping",extremely vigourous and even invasive, etc, etc. So I planted it on a hill with shallow, rocky soil,that was covered with broom, wild clematis and blackberries, thinking that the wisteria would be macho enough to compete. Not so! Eight years later, that plant is still only about 7-8 feet tall. Last year it almost lost all of it's leaves; I saved it by cutting away all the invading weeds, mulching, and watering. It's a bit better this year, though didn't flower much of course, due to the stress,but still seems to be struggling. This one has been very beautiful in the past,but I'm not considering moving this one, since I have other "Prolifics" elsewhere,planted in deeper soil, which are thriving (though one refuses to bloom so far...) Now, this Macrobotrys is a different story. I only have the one plant. It has produced a few flowers, so I know for sure it's not a "mule". These are 2 good reasons for trying to save it actively. The cons: mainly,I've got to face up to my physical limitations : digging it up would be a LOT of work. Also, it's never yet done anything to make me fall in love with it,though this may well be due to the bad conditions. I guess I think/thought that moving it to deeper soil would be the surest way to "save it actively",since that seems to be the most effective course to take with roses, but Cassandra's comment gives me something to consider (that little dryad is SO beautiful, btw!!!) I so long to obtain the effect that Anne is talking about,but haven't done so yet, not even with the better-placed wisteria...Cath, your post sounds very sensible,but why do you suggest layering this older plant instead of just buying a new one? Would a layerd baby from this one be a guarenteed "non-mule", perhaps? or is it just for economic reasons?