FataMorgana, the one I have has thinnier needles and quite soft on touch. But thanks for your advice. I have checked other A. densiflorus sorts and couple of them look very similar to my plant ('Sprengeri' and 'Sprengeri Compacta'). I think I will have to wait another season or two.

Totally agree with will2kz. My style is also transitional. The concept also calls to mind simplicity and clean lines. Here's HGTV's definition. It's pretty comprehensive: "Transitional style is a marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. Fabric is as diverse as graphic patterns on overstuffed sofas and textured chenilles on sleek wood frames. Colors: The transitional palette relies on a lack of color to evoke a clean, serene atmosphere. Dark brown can add depth to a neutral balance of taupe, tan and vanilla. Accessories: A minimalist approach is taken with carefully selected accessories ��" a potted orchid gracefully arching in front of a window, white mats that set off photographs in simple black and silver frames, an oval wooden tray that provides a resting spot for similarly shaped silver candleholders. This kind of grouping provides a counterpoint to the furniture. Fabrics: The lack of color makes room for interesting textures, such as the olive-colored corduroy found on the pictured sofa and a smooth, creamy white cotton used on two of the side chairs. Other good choices for a transitional space are soft ultrasuedes, pliable leathers and nubby chenilles. Furniture: Curves combine with straight lines in a transitional style interior. The look balances both masculine and feminine attributes for a comfortably contemporary design. The scale of the pieces is ample but not intimidating. A lack of ornamentation and decoration keeps the focus on the simplicity and sophistication of the design."

Che1sea, I think you're a candidate for my recommendation to look at English/European magazines/Web sites. The unfitted look is big there, the appreciation for worn and reused things. I like it because it's good for people who don't want to gut or add on, or can't because of site or materials restrictions (like a stone house) so it embraces quirks and uses the site and layout you have creatively. I like that it challenges me to THINK out a solution, not throw money at it. (Although some "simple" looking things turn out to be very spendy!) That last woodbine unfitted is pretty typical of a modern "shaker style" kitchen, featured in a lot of English magazines. Places to look: plainenglishdesign.com, The English Home magazine, Period Home magazine, BBC Homes and Antiques magazine, World of Interiors magazine (all available at my local Borders -- they can probably order them for you. Warning, they're about $8 apiece here. Some have Web sites with some photos.) I sat through a David T. Smith presentation, and there was only one kitchen that appealed -- apparently his favorite, one based on an old Maine kitchen. Most are too "done" for me. Someone near me has a Kennebec though, and it's just amazing. Too much a set piece for my house, but beautifully done. Are you looking for a single word or phrase? "Eclectic" is as close as you're probably going to get. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies - I forgot about my post and just saw the replies now (I thought I would get an email when someone replied)! There were two more houses attached to my house and none to the left of the photo (so only 4 houses total). I do know from the fire maps that the fronts of the demolished houses looked different, as you said Casey. I never even thought of the fact that identification would be easier if those houses were still around! Makes so much sense. I'm guessing they were greystones, but who knows. So can I keep on calling the style "eclectic"? I've done a lot of research and while I've found a lot of cool 19th/early-20th c. "house girl wanted" and "room for rent" ads, and an article that a lawyer committed suicide over 100 years ago in the (demolished) house next door, I haven't been able to find any photos. It's actually one of the few of many 19th c. houses in my neighborhood that aren't on the historic register and doesn't seem to be built by any notable Chicago architect. Thank you so much for your help!