I'd just like to offer up that I have to fight for 5-6 hours of sun in several beds and have grown dahlias there just fine for years. I think the idea of trying several is well-worth the effort, especially if you like them. A friend of mine in MI specifically bought a small dorm size fridge just for tuber storage using the Saran Wrap method and she gets excellent results. I don't know if the saran wrap would protect from the ethylene gas superpony speaks of or not, but others have stored a few wrapped tubers in the regular fridge and had no problem. Your basement would be too warm; garage in WI winter without an area to be kept from freezing- too cold. Maybe someone you know with a warmer garage or fruit cellar would allow you to store a box? There are many really good websites for scoop on dahlias www.dahlias.net is a great place to start. Google 'US dahlia societies' or US dahlia associations and that will give you enough reading for a year. Good luck! I think you should make sure you have decent soil, good drainage and give them a whirl. Your fence will be much more handsome with a dozen dahlias adorning it!

The tan is neutral, so I really wouldn't even take it into account. My bedroom is light tan carpet, light french blue walls, white trim, chocolate (velvet) curtains, duvet has shades cream and tan and so does upholstered chair with ottoman. My dark toned wood pieces fit right in. Personally I would put the money for wallpaper into linens/bedskirt you love (although my duvet cover was 75% off at World Mkt). Use great frames from Michael's or flea mkts on the walls instead.

I sent him an email and he emailed me back. I would need to take a good look at it. My parents are coming into town this week and they know about rugs. In fact they are going to visit some friends while here that used to be rug dealers so maybe they could look at and let me know if it is worth it. How would someone who is not familiar with fibers know wheather it is wool? He did not answer that part of my question so he probably does not know. His response to my email: It is wall to wall, used in upstairs family room, I don't know about the pets, the owners were gone when we bought the house. No defects of any kind, i would say it is about as perfect as a used rug could be or I wouldn't go to the bother of selling it. There are no odors, but Iwould think you would want to clean it after you installed it. After the cleaning I do not think you could tell it from new. It is just too nice to throw away. We didn't use it because the pattern did not suit us. That's about it, Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My email to him asking questions: Hi, I have a few questions about the cheetah rug that you are selling on Craigslist. Is it and area rug or wall-to-wall? Do you know the manufacturer? Is it wool? What room was it used in? Did the home that it was in have kids or animals, esp. cats (does it have an unpleasant odor)? Are there any wear spot or snags? Do you have a close up picture of the pattern?

Squirrel...you found my "lost" site! I saved a rug from the Rug Studio quite some time ago but then somehow lost it...back again! Delta, I'm sooo happy you didn't buy that rug. :) Curious... is there some problem with the round mirror since several people have mentioned it? I went back and didn't see any negative comments on that but perhaps in an earlier post? To me it's the right thing to put there...it reflects a great view and light, the round shape is a nice contrast to the small windows, it's not competing with the wonderful paintings and adds a little sparkle in the room. What's not to like? Back to the rug... When I've found myself in your shoes I've gone out and brought home a few different rugs of varying colors/designs (with the intent of probably returning them ) and thrown them down as a test. I think just seeing what a different color/size would do to the room would quickly give you a good idea as to what direction to go. Maybe grab a seagrass just to have a neutral and test size? Usually I'm not crazy about rugs just a few feet under the bed footboard. It makes me think the right size wasn't available or the rug wasn't chosen with that particular room in mind...just looks awkward to me. If bigger, I like them at least 2' or so on the sides of the bed and more past the footboard. You'd also want a nice border of floor showing. If smaller, similar to what you have now. One thing I love about the rug size you have now is that it seems to create a "room within a room" in tandem with the chair/painting. I might scooch it a little bit more away from the bed legs perhaps. Another thing I meant to ask previously. Could wanting a larger rug perhaps just be a wish for more of a cocoon like feel in winter? Many of us do change with the season for that reason. I love my bare floors in my bedroom in the warmer months but I prefer a warmer, textured look in winter. You've mentioned the word "calming" previously...wondering how the room makes you feel?? This rug from the Rug Studio jumped out at me...to me it gives off the impression of a watercolor painting. Because it has no definitive "pattern" it doesn't compete with the paintings. The colors would be very complementary to everything in the room. I also wondered what you might think about a round area rug?? There's another similar to this that I saved. I know you were content to back away from this for awhile but thought I'd throw this out.