So, I'm still here a year later and still trying to decide on trees. We will plant in the fall. We just finished the main part of our total landscape overhaul and I'm waiting for cooler fall temps to put in trees. Since last year, I have discovered a new form of the Little Leaf Linden that has chartruse foliage- I can't remember the name of it, it's some Japanese name. So I am considering that. I am reconsidering planting a Burr Oak but a smaller one based on suggestions here- still not sure about that. I have a perfect spot for a Tricolor Beech that will be protected from the hot southern sun. I want a smallish, purple leaf something but I hate the purple leaf plums (Thundercloud et al). They always end up looking diseased and haggard around here. I'm thinking about a Crimson Sentry maple which is a slightly smaller, more upright form than the crimson king. When you speak of planting 'more interesting trees', I'd love some suggestions. I'm willing to push hardiness zones etc. with other plants but not so much with trees. Too much invested. My soil is strongly alkaline as I live at the low point of the Salt Lake Valley- Salt Lake being the important part of that. My soil ph is around 8.

The Thema Rug (first rug) you selected is a flat weave. I not sure about that fringe they've used on the rug. Looks like a different color and inexpensive. The 9x12 rug is $3,399 and that's a lot of money for that rug. I'm wondering if the cavernous size of your room could use a rug with a bit more thickness, and maybe even larger than the 9x12 size. Oh, I guess I assumed that you were getting a wood floor, but now I see that you are putting this rug on wall to wall carpet. Is the carpet a level loop, like a sisal would be? If you want to create a monochromatic room, that could be very attractive, as long as some of your finishes are dark to complement the beams. Sorry but I think it was a mistake to allow the hearth of the fireplace to wrap around the side of the fireplace and interfere with the window treatments. If we're dreaming here with no concern about $$, I would hire back the mason and cut back the side ledges even with the edge of the fireplace stone wall. If you don't do this first, you'll have to settle for drapery on only one side of the windows and I'm not sure you'll really be happy with that solution. Those windows look a bit dwarfed in comparison with the size of the room, so a recommended drapery treatment would make the windows appear larger in size. I would mount bronze or iron rods about a foot down from the beams and hang basketweave textured linen panels on either side of the windows, with woven wood roman shades to match the beam finish, mounted under the drapery panels to control the light and privacy..

Alyssa you've received some excellent advice above. A few additional thoughts: - As WoW alluded to, a painted window is a painted window (factory painted of course). The paint technology used on vinyl windows today is very good and rivals other materials. The guys recommending against are using information that is dated at best. I have painted vinyl installs in circulation well over 10 years old and I have yet to see a warranty claim on one of any age. -Based on your color requirements and preferences, I'd say that an aluminum clad wood window is the exact OPPOSITE of what would be ideal for you. Inorganic window materials like vinyl or fiberglass won't rot. Wood will if not maintained properly, and with poor windows it may even IF it is well maintained. New homes are generally sealed pretty tightly and experience condensation. Not a good combo with a wood interior. Further, the main reason to get a wood window is for a rich and beautiful stained appearance that you can't match with other materials. If you are painting it white, there are very few scenarios where a wood window is still a great choice IMO. -I trust that your contractor is genuine in recommending the window that he has, however I'd propose that is only because he is not fielding the calls on product failure after 9, 10, 12 years. This is one of the products that we replace most often, and typically right after the 10 year warranty is up. Yes, they now call it "lifetime", which is entirely disingenuous as it excludes wood rot due to condensation and other circumstances. These types of windows are the reason that companies like mine that serve the replacement industry are thriving right now. -My recommendation would be if bang for the buck is on your priority list, reconsider a quality vinyl window like Softlite, Okna, Sunrise, Polaris, etc. You will get some of the best performance from these units, less maintenance, a longer service life, better warranty, etc. Literally the only downside is that aesthetic factor, but again, if you are going white interiors that is not in play. If for some reason you are dead set against vinyl, you could look to fiberglass or even fibrex products, but there is somewhat of a drop off in performance overall and typically a little higher price tag.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I like the idea of some blue in the rug to pull from the photo above the fireplace, but I couldn't seem to find the right blue. A lot of the carpets had too bright of a blue. I'm limited to choices though because I'll only order from somewhere that has a store in my area where I can easily return the rug if I don't like it. I've decided to give this Safavieh carpet a try, I have it on order. I'm hoping the pattern and texture will provide enough interest. I'll work on the chair after that. I wonder if a chair with blue in it will still work if I get this carpet? I can tie the chair in by adding a few more toss cushions to the couch with blue in them and a couple of blue accessories throughout the rest of the space.