Kathe, I agree with all that's been said about your table. Its wonderful. I am so bothered by what happened to your Dad that the sores were THAT bad. Sure sounds like no one bathed him or checked him properly. Scary thought, and I'm sure its a worry for you now with having to stay on top of them. I will keep him, and you, in my prayers. Luvs, its not just some NHs. A year ago Dec when Dad went in the hospital after doc gave him meds he shouldn't have, Dad came home with some bad bedsores on his ankles and toes. From the hospital of all places!! They had put socks on his feet initially to keep them warm, and apparently no one bothered to take them off and bathe or check his feet. I was so mad when he came home, and I discovered the bedsores! We had nursing care coming in several times a week trying to treat them. I was thankful they were on his feet and nowhere else, but they caused him a LOT of pain and discomfort till I lost him several weeks later. The hospital also didn't seem to realize he couldn't turn over in bed at all and just lay in same position waaaay too long. All they did was raise and lower the head of the bed apparently! And this is a huge, well-known hospital and trauma center in Phoenix. (guess I'm STILL mad it seems) hugs, Karen

Squirrel Please accept mind apologizes between work and something that popped up at home I hadnÂt been able to get back here!! I just love it when you or anyone else takes the time to photoshop a room I didnÂt get to the city this weekend however check coupled of local antiques/junk stores for the oval picture no luck I really like them beside the picture. I thought the picture behind the bed wasnÂt wide enough for the wall thinking something needed to be added. By seeing what you did I agree it looks much better Yes I thought about a chandelier, and one day hope to find one. What about one of the black table found I found at Target I believe they are smaller and because of the room size they might be better table 1, table 2 or table 3? Sorry thought of another question if IÂm able to use the panels that I have now with sheers behind them do you think I would still need to line them? On my shopping list dark rug, pictures, table, chandelier Again thanks everyone for your help, it might just take me a while to pull everything together

Kswl, I like your tryptych idea over the large expanse of wall. I will look at things today that will be large enough. The ficus tree in the room IS real in an organic looking pot. The predominant colors are a muted crimson red, amber gold and black with the darker woods of the furniture. Blind company coming today to measure for bamboo shades. I agree that the lamps are not a big difference, I will look for something with more heft. More bling would be great, but remember, I am already struggling with a man who things all oak and brass is the way to go! LOL! House vixen, I will attempt to move the LR furniture in the pattern you suggested and will move the tree to the area where the two wall colors meet. There is nowhere near enough room on the angled wall to put the china cabinet there, although I wish their was, as your idea was one I had considered before I brought the pieces into the room when we bought the house. We entertain often and need all of the chairs, but I may be able to repurpose them. I am ordering the hardwood floor samples as we speak. What do you think of this piece under the stairs? I am so decoratively challenged...

That sounds heavenly, Melissa! I can picture it all through your sensitive and vivid descriptions. I, too, find that Alfred de Dalmas takes awhile to grow into his charming potential, but when he does, each year just gets better. I'm curious to hear future reports on your Aennchen von Tharau. What is its origin? If your AvT turns out to be R Alba Maxima, wonder if every AvT is R Alba Maxima. I grow Maxima and have considered tracking down AvT for either my garden or a friend's. I must be on a quest to try every Alba. :-) Thank you for the lovely morning tea and gardening journal moment! Carol