Apres van heste was penciled in the bottom lower right hand side on the matting. The other side in pencil is the name of the picture. Even with a magnifying glass, I cannot tell what it is although the name of the company that made it is listed above apres van heste right in the picture itself which makes me think this is a print. I am thinking it is a photographic reproduction but why would it be hand signed? Isn't that a bit unusual? This used to hang in our hallway 25 years ago and it was taken down when we painted. I put it back up again in our stairwell this morning. It does really look good there since the muted colors go well with the oriental stair runner. I realize that 1945 does not make this an antique and I assume that was the date that is was created, but finding information about it has me stumped.

I would wait and if you need a second gallon, plan to run out to get it when the time comes. I'm very good at ordering the right amount of paint. End up with enough to put in a canning jar for touch ups and that's it. I've over-estimated with Aura a couple times - it just *goes* farther. I've never, ever seen Aura finish in one coat, I've never, ever seen a person who was such a good painter that they could paint with any paint and end up with a proper, full finish coat. One coat coverage is just that - coverage. Coverage is not a proper, final, finish. Aura looks good after one coat, but it won't look like a $60 can of paint after one coat -- you need TWO. Two coats of Aura will give you the coverage and the durability, wearability and all the aesthetic quality you could wish for. Don't just do one coat - I think I made that clear?! lol! :D With that said, you can absolutly go back over Aura for missed spots - it just has to be reasonably to completely dry. Especially if it's Aura matte. Practice with Aura first. Do not go directly to the wall with it. You need to play with it a bit to get the feel of it because it is different. Do all your cut ins first and by the time you finish cutting in, you can start to roll on the wall you started with cut in. Keep a shallow pan and refill often because Aura will set up in the pan and get gunky. If you walk away, cover the brush, roller, pan. Can't leave it exposed to air. Go slow and do not over work. Put it on the wall and move on being careful to get the right amount on the wall - don't want too little, don't want too much because it will sag and drip and going back to correct sags and drips is not easy. It's best to take your time and make sure they don't happen to begin with. Touch ups are a breeze. Try not to miss spots, but if you do know that you can go back and hit them later.

I sold my house at the peak of market within one weekend...for much more than I expected. I had moved everything out into storage in preparation for my move. I had a 4 bedroom 2 bath small track home with living, dining, freshly remodeled kitchen, 2 car garage, large lot, within walking distance to high school. Things I did: ~new roof ~painted outside ~very minor landscaping in front ~painted all rooms (except kitchen)in white ~new mirrored closet doors ~carpets shampooed ~minimal staging I tried to do as little as I could, but my home had not had any updates in many years and I had crazy decor in every room. I think the best thing I did was empty the house and paint it white inside. I would love to go back and see what the new owners have done to it. :-) Best of luck tosk...keep it clean and simple...you will do fine.

Thanks for your kind words about the house. :) awm03, I believe you're correct that this house is post-MCM. It was listed as such on Zillow. "Just noting, though, that both the dining and front rooms seem to be visible from the family room, so I'm wondering about visual...symmetry with one very dark and the other very light. Also, painting the dining room dark will make that one set of windows especially dominant during the day." hamamelis, good points! "Curtains aside, they also seem to be asking me for a console or some such thing under the single panes..." I guess that would be possible if the console or some such sat far enough from the wall so that the drapes could move behind it. "Regarding the glass and mirrors, it occurs to me that the front room would change light and character dramatically with all of it gone. And that it can be beautiful when well done and lit." Excellent point. I think I'm not liking it now because there are so many things on it. I was looking at the listing photos and I much prefer it with a few select pieces of art. "Why is there what looks like a little wall sticking out in the middle, though, with the glass continuing on?" It does have a little wall that divides the glass area into two sections. It's just decorative and has been there since the house was designed - no doorway removal. justerrilynn, I like those styles of rugs. I've been eyeing them up on Overstock. I'm going to mull over the light-colored leather sofa idea. My set is getting older, but it's still in good condition, so it might be a hard sell to the BF. Lighter colors and a more MCM design would fit better in this house. I think after digesting all of the advice given, that I'll stick with light, neutral colors and hold off on the deep blue dining room. I suspect that a new coat of paint is going to go a long ways towards making things seem fresh and inviting. Thank you!