Oh, that's wonderful Summerfield! I wish I could just build that almost as you have drawn it! Unfortunately, I've got some restrictions I have to work within due to the lot I have and city setbacks. I've been reading "The Not So Big House" book (loving it, thanks for the recommendation minneapolisite) and was looking at some new ideas from my original layout. **This is pretty rough** and there's a bunch I really don't like on it just yet, but I wanted to give an update. What I like most about my latest update is more windows in the main living area on the south side of the house and all three living areas having direct windows instead of the dining room being sandwiched into the middle of the house. I also like the shared entry so that the 'nice' entry doesn't end up being for guests only. I hate the way I have the pantry laid out, but I do like the idea of a good sized pantry with room for the chest freezer (currently in the basement in our house today). Also, this opens up the living room for a bit more space. My favorite things about the plan you've drawn, Summerfield, are both of the bathrooms, laundry and master closet. Those are the areas I'm struggling the most with. (as well as the whole bedrooms side of the house...) We may have a small television in the kitchen, and temporarily in the living room, but once the basement is finished we would only have the kitchen tv. So no need to build a dedicated spot for it on the first floor. Site Plan:

thanks, MamaG! I love the rug, too. At first we thought it was a blue-green, then it looked green. Now it is green with a touch of blue in it. I think I forgot to answer somebody's question about the lawyer's bookshelves earlier. There were actually seven bookshelves in the lot. Two were 30" wide by 8 ft high. I sold those. We used all five of the 36" by 8 ft ones. I am somewhat amazed at how well built and how good looking the project turned out. That is all Jim. I am awfully proud of having the idea, though. I find myself constantly thinking about how this old piece of furniture or that old thing could be turned into something new. How I wish I could make them myself! (My hands and elbows and wrists and shoulders won't let me do the work.) And how I wish I could do something this creative for a living!

I am a little confused by the fountain, is that a recessed pool surrounding it, you are calling it a lower level, does it have drainage? Have you ever grown plants in this space before? Because of the canopy, I wonder how much true light would enter the space. Any way, I believe the lower level was designed for water or flower pots. I don't care for the rock garden idea myself, I think something that casual will tend to work against the room, perhaps if you painted the pillars black or in outrageous colors (just an idea). The thing is, I love the dark red floor tiles, and these would be a great complement for plants. (I might paint the pillars, in any event -too jarring) I do like your idea of long planters along the edges, or even try pots lined up along the edges, and then a few taller ferns in larger pots in the center. If I planted the recess, I might try a semi-formal planting, perhaps in green pots spaced in a somewhat geometric pattern that doesn't slavishly follow exact symmetry; for instance in one center of a 'medallion' there's a palm, in the other a fern. You get the idea. A trend that is big now is to purchase pottery all of the same color or glaze, but in different shapes and sizes. In your case, I would go with green, but you might like cream or white if you decide not to paint the pillars. If I had the space, I would probably do a full and complete planting in the pool area. side by side plants like lawn or carpet, all of the same variety and size, maybe even same color. I would suggest impatiens, they will grow under lower, indoor light, bloom continuously and will last for 2-3 years with little maintenance. Ferns would also be nice and last longer. I see that you have an example with, Sansevieria trifasciata, another good choice. But there are many indoor plants that would work well under the canopy, even potty moss. The bamboo you found in your inspiration photo, would struggle to live here. If you use individual flower pots, you can move them around the room when ever you like, rotating them in and out of sunny areas every couple months. (but some plants, like ferns and ficus like to stay put). Your seating ideas are good. But you don't need to go with a theme, like Moroccan, I wonder if the space has the elbow room for it, and in fact Moroccan themes can be a little pretentious and gimmicky at the same time. I'd try a semi-formal approach, or Transitional, if you will. I honestly believe that the space may appreciate a more semi-formal seating. But something too sparse and too formal may come off as "I gotta put something here so I found these 4 dumb thrones". I would look for teak, colonial-style patio furniture. Unpainted and just oiled (or treated for outdoor use.) The wood will soften the expanses of tile, as opposed to metal. The seating can have cushions with outdoor fabric. First, think about how the decorated space would really be used. Are you likely to actually sit there and read a book, relax with a cup of iced tea? Perhaps if there was a nice planting there? Or would this just be overflow for a party room? You can always add or expand the space as you find uses for it. A small table for two could be a lovely place for coffee and the paper in the morning. There does seem to be plenty of room for the walkways on the sides, both in length and width. So you may want to have it reflect a baronial hallway (if you know what I mean) but updated, with the oiled teak. I think of those long hallways in the old castles, with side tables, and side chairs spaced between doors, massive paintings and elaborate mirrors. You get the idea, but that furniture arrangement can be updated, so it doesn't look like a castle, and more like a 1970s get away for Jackie Onassis. So you might have a comfortable teak Chippendale couch centered on one wall, perhaps with end tables. You might then leave wall-space with some sort of wall-art, a carved wood piece or Bas-relief; perhaps raw terracotta, architectural remnants, or sconce shelf with bronze or Blanc de Chine, A mirror, etc. Then there's a teak side board (it could hide garden tools inside, glassware, a small bar etc.) with Large sculpture or ceramic vases on top, these don't have to be Chinese import porcelain, you can look to local potters for contemporary work. A couple of side chairs to flank the side board. To arrange the room, You divide each long wall into three sections and make three seating/display/vignettes along each long wall, each vignettes a little different and it doesn't have to be symmetrical with the other wall. Perhaps large potted trees or your bamboo, or tree ferns between the vignettes, (because there's more light along the wall), instead of art? Search: teak colonial patio furniture TEAK KIPAS DINING CHAIRS TEAK BATAVIA DINING CHAIR TEAK BATAVIA BANTENG ARM CHAIR TEAK SILANG CLASSIC DINING CHAIR Teak Sideboard 2 Sliding doors and 4 Drawers Teak Sideboard 4 doors and 13 Drawers Ceylon Teak This post was edited by Lilylore on Fri, Nov 28, 14 at 11:52

Please forgive me for breaking in on your thread, but I was Googling Jan Jones and happened upon your messages. I attended the Victorian Front Porch Tour Saturday nite, and as usual I was in awe. Everything was decorated beautifully. Carolyn, I remember your home because of the gold horse and the lighted candle hanging. In fact, I took a picture of the candles. Also took many more pictures of the homes as we walked through the neighborhood. There is a home on the corner with palm trees that I believe I have fallen in love with. Although not victorian, it is a gorgeous home. I can only imagine how pretty the interior must be - such a unique home. I have read that when Jan lived in the area, she had a shop downtown with her mom and also taught a class each Christmas. I am sorry to hear that her mom passed away recently. Carolyn, I'm wondering if you possibly know where Jan moved to, and how to get in touch with her. I cannot believe that such a talented individual lived in the area for so many years and I only heard of her and the tour 3 or 4 years ago. I would like to get in touch with her to see if she still has a shop and teaches any classes. I hope your neighborhood will continue this tradition for many years to come. I've looked forward to attending the last few yeas since I became aware of the tour. My favorite night is the walking tour. By the way, I live a few miles north of you in Lanett. Your bread looks delicious. I agree - the pictures are good enough that they appear to be from a magazine. Thanks for posting your recipes - I'll have to print these out and give them a try. If you have any information that you can share, please email me at gwen@knology.net Thank you so much! Gwen