I would just insure that the chairs had the proper rollers on them and not even bother with pads. The rollers for hard surfaces are softer than those for carpets, so they shouldn't affect the flooring very much. High heels probably are much harder on the flooring than the rollers. Having worked in offices that had carpet tiles in most areas, almost every chair had one of those dreaded pads. We once developed a mold problem, and when the technical folks came in to take measurements, some of the worst areas were under those pads. Although we had carpet tiles that were readily replaceable, new ones don't always match up very well with the older tiles, color-wise. We also had to get all new pads that had more holes in them so as not to trap moisture. Carpet is quieter than the laminate flooring, though, so there are pros and cons on each side. Anyway, I would focus on high-quality rollers for the chairs instead of any pads. Good luck!

I love scarves for dressing up an outfit. I wore them a lot in Europe as they are an extra layer...over the shoulders for the cathedral, over the head for a drizzle, around the neck if it's chilly, around the purse if it's hot... Below is a nice video for ideas about how to tie a scarf. However, I too am in the camp of no more turtlenecks...when I have a hot flash, it feels like strangulation. Scarves I can take off, but turtlenecks, I'm stuck. Such a shame as I have a zillion of them...I lived in them all winter when I was working...they look so great under a jacket, with or without a scarf, necklace or lapel pin... I have a couple of white shirts, but I have trouble finding them opaque enough, I never have them ironed so when I'm rushing to get dressed, I by pass them for something that doesn't need ironing, and with my coloring, the white is a washout on me so I have to add color besides. I also have to worry about length as I'm short...tunic shapes just cut me off. Then there's the boobage issue...button fronts can gape on me which also isn't fun. (I remember giving a talk one time, and the fellow in the front row was staring at my belly. I realized my shirt had gaped and he was seeing skin. At least it wasn't in the boob arena. Last time I did that! After that it was pullovers, button in the back, long scarves in front or camis underneath!) So for me, it's not a go to item, though I can see how it could be for someone else. Also, these days, I'm so into comfort that knits are by far my favorites...they move and stretch with me. When I wear wovens without any lycra in them, I feel like I'm fighting my clothes. I didn't try them, but was tempted....I was in walmart and see that Lee is making a super comfortable jean now out of very stretchy, very soft denim with almost a flannel like feel...a real cross between a legging and a jean...but they also had them boot cut. Next time I'm at the VF outlet, I'll have to take a look. Here is a link that might be useful: how to tie a scarf

Wow! So many great and inspirational kitchens. Loved clicking through to some of these websites, many of which I had never seen before. Martha, I swear we were separated at birth. That kitchen you posted is one of my all time favs. Here are two of my favourite inspiration pix (the "u" is for you, Poppy :-) You can see where we got some ideas for our vaulted ceiling and the use of colour: And thks so much for sharing your enthusiasm for our kitchen - it is getting a good workout! Just tried my hand at no knead bread - flour everywhere but well worth it. Here's a recent pic with a bunch of spring pussy willows and dogwood branches on the island. It's been fun catching up with you dear GWer's...:-) Eliz

In my new home, I have a housekeeper come every other week. I like clean homes. I do NOT like the actual job of cleaning them. I'd rather work in the garden, or do some cooking, or deal with the chickens, or keep up with physical maintenance and house painting/staining, or do graphic arts or anything else. I'm fine with doing laundry, too. I clean up after myself in the kitchen, but the housekeeper does floors, bathrooms and general dusting/windows and such. And I now have a robot vacuum who is pretty decent at what he does. He even has a name: Sharkey. I'm not crazy about cleaning his filter, but it comes with the territory and lasts five minutes... I didn't have a housekeeper back at my old CT home. One reason my getting out of there and getting the place on the market is taking so long... especially since I then had a full time job that lasted well over the standard 40 hour work week. THIS one will be clean! But it doesn't need to be anally-House Beautiful clean. Simply lived in and tidy. My reasons for not wanting a fully white kitchen or other rooms are not about appearing clean, but about my just only wanting white as an accent. Aesthetically. That's what works for my sense of eye appeal.