Well… if nothing else, you all can understand why I’ve struggled to find a solution that is aesthetically pleasing, and practical, and doesn’t require committing to a massive, expensive project… The ceiling is a lot of things… and yes, the angles are wild. Right now it has beaded wood (like beadboard, but larger)… which looks crazy, and separates at the seams in the winter months. We’re planning to sheet rock the ceiling, but not flatten it off. I DO think flattening it would be calmer, but I really like a higher ceiling no matter what, even if it means strange angles. I actually really like that half wall idea, or curving it so is less stark… both are something I never thought of. Even just looking at it with the photoshopped half wall makes me look at the room differently. I should say my husband is dead set against keeping the bath… and does not care at all about long-term value. I haven’t decided whether that’s a battle I feel so strongly about that I decide to take it on. I guess part of me is tempted by the challenge of “cute-ning” it up. Which I do think could be done, but also think it will never be as clean, as if we took it out. As far as the idea of swapping spaces… we considered some version of that, and also considered moving the bathroom to where the refrigerator is now… but that would require building a whole other wall that would still butt out into the room, plus, the dining room entrance is cut on an angle, so the wall would need to accommodate that… we had laid tape out on the floor, looking at other layout options, and none of seemed much better than what we have now! Thank you all so much for taking the time to think about ways this can be better... I REALLY appreciate it!! p.s.- Jen, we kind of hoped our neighbors might start chipping in for the repairs… since it benefitted them, as much as us!

Stephen, in your climate there is no need to go to any extraordinary lengths to protect your containerized maples in winter. They should be able to remain outside without issue. Your plant hardiness zone is nearly identical to mine and all my maples remain in place outdoors all winter. The only time I have ever done any protecting on my containerized JM's is when we were expecting an extended "arctic blast" (2 or more days of temps in low 20's /-4C) and then I gathered all my small ones together and covered loosely with bubble wrap. JM roots are sensitive to cold damage when grown in containers, especially small containers, so that would be my ONLY concern. JM's can be grown in terra cotta. You may just have to water more frequently in summer as terra cotta is very porous and moisture evaporates easily. And most TC is not very winter hardy - it spalls and fractures easily in freezing weather. JM's do NOT require an ericaceous fertilizer. Any good container fertilizer is fine. I use Osmocote each spring (and when repotting) and supplement with a liquid fertilizer with a full range of trace elements a few times during the growing season. Any JM, regardless of coloring, will appreciate some shade, especially during the hottest part of the day in summer. But if one lives in a cool summer climate - as I assume you do - full sun is usually not much of an issue, unless it is a highly variegated variety or with very pale yellow, gold or cream colored foliage. These all need a bit of shade to look their best. I know that wind is supposed to be an issue and maybe in a cold winter area it is but I have never encountered a problem with JM's and wind. And I live on a large salt water sound that is a funnel for some serious winter winds!

Well luckily for me they didn't follow their own protocol and collect 1/2 upfront and the other half upon completion so technically I haven't paid this company a dime. There is no gravel under all that, no wire, the foundation of my house and my existing patio along with my screened in porch from has concrete all over it. Not to mention an isolation joint wasn't added next to my houses foundation or next to my existing patio. And I'm pretty sure my 13x10 doesn't have a single control joint in it. Oh and water runs right along my screened in porch frame and continues right under my patio door leaving my screened in existing porch wet. I actually want it ripped up and hauled off but I'm scared of cracking my existing patio and even my houses foundation.

Would like to post an update to my original plea for advice on painting the exterior of my home. It’s been 2 months and the contractors have finished all of the projects. I have to admit, I am so pleased with the outcome and I sincerely appreciate those that took a moment to share opinions and suggestions. We went with SW Shoji white for the brick, SW Anew Gray for the soffit and fascia, and decided to accent the gutters and downspouts with SW Iron Ore. What a difference...