Hi everyone! Sorry for the delayed response--been very busy with work. I do agree with needing to raise the tree up. I have a large box that should work and will see if I can procure some faux snow. I think I also have some old bricks lying around. HMMMMMM. I actually like red and white lights, as well as blue and white--but my neighbor has blue and white, so I think I'll stick with red and white for a candy cane look. I agree that the lights on the japanese maples aren't my favorite, and that they detract from my christmas tree indoors. I guess I could put them on the bushes to the left of the porch? (There are some large overgrown evergreen bushes to the left, though I'm not sure they show up well in the pictures...) I AM having fun--love decorating my new home for the holidays! Such a fun time! I still have work to do indoors--we're having a party in a week and I have a lot to do before then.

no. when you go to "stories and advice" you see what side is what, it stayed the same. That's how I continue to enter unless I'm checking new comments through email notofications It's really hard to err And even if couple people did-we wouldn't know but probably..one needs to experiment..probably when somebody opens a new topic now..somebody that's asking a question, somebody mostly new to the site..it now gives him the opportunity to tag it..or tags itself automatically? in several forums simultaneously, say Design Dillmma, and Home Decorating. These posts often start with "Dear Houzzers" Then both Design Dilemma regular posters, and posters here, see the topic It might be if one posts from the Houzz side only, that it tags itself/gives opportunity to tag Again, somebody must be willing to experiment. At this very moment it's not me. But maybe later in the day..:)

Thanks Tartan- I was hoping you would see this. Yeah, the thing is for the offwhite it's in the reviews that people mention it is more of a gray than a cream... I can't tell. I know originally we felt that off-white was the way to go. The depth on this one, chatham is great (it' s the skinniest one of all the ones I considered). The reviews are outstanding- but the color scares me and the mahogany, looks good. Although my coffee table and end table are wood ( I think fruit wood). The size thing came up because I keep seeing suggestions that the console under the tv should be about 1/4 to 1/3 larger than the TV. The tv on that wall is not really centered on the wall- there is a light switch which I kind of didn't include in the wall. It was the outstanding decorators above, Flo and others who said I should go about 52-55 inches wide. Help me out, the TV is a 50 inch (diagonal) so the width is about 44 or 45 inches. !/3 larger would be 60 inches, 1/4 larger woudl be 55 inches. The Chatham is 52/53 inches. You see why I can't decide anything? I did use tape to see and I will post those pix here. This is 52 inches And here is 60 inches. Do I have the tv stand butting up to the window or leave room like I have done? FWIW, the kitchen is my other next project so while it adjoins the living room and all, who knows what color wood I will have there. (debating wood vs off white. that should take me maybe another year to decide lol). Originally a few said that I shouldn't go for more wood tones, so that keeps me back to the off white. What do you think? I will repost some of the pix of the room that are further upthread. This below is across from the TV wall. other wall with fireplace. So what TV stand belongs in my room that I will be happy with? How's your clairvoyance working??:)

I come here because I'm still trying to get more information about Fancy Feast cat food. I see our corner of the internet as a sorority of sorts (with a few welcome men,too) You all have seen me through divorce, dating, remarriage and have held my hand throughout my mom's ongoing serious medical journey. The support here is unflagging and (with only a few exceptions,) non-judgmental. You all make the world a better place. (Oh, and you've given good decorating advice, too.) Jo