Undersides of leaves are silvery gray and dull. Top surfaces are slightly glossy. Thin (NOT thick like a succulent). Stem is green, no texture. She's going to try to take a photo of the underside of the leaf. (Just as a note, she used to work at the New York Botanical Garden and is a master flower show judge (emeritus)... she usually knows her stuff. She's completely stumped on this plant, which she was given by a guy who does her yard on the side but works fulltime for a landscape designer. It was apparently a "rejected" plant he was disposing of so the guy "rescued it" and gave it to her. I know the landscape designer and know he is quite willing to use non-natives in designs so no guarantee this is a New England native or even from the North American continent. But it undoubtedly was intended, originally, to be part of someone's (outdoor) landscape design... curiouser and curiouser...

Disappointedly, I passed on the bench/sliding ottomans in the above post due to the cost of over $4200 in the lowest grade leather. However, because I’d had other ideas, I went back to one of those very quickly. The EA Ferri ottomans. But allow me to back up, please. When our church went through a major restoration in 2014, the design team updated some details around the doors, and I was totally inspired by the color palette. I still am. Please click on this photo to see all of the different colors: As I built a portfolio to redesign my family room, l found two continuous “themes." I wanted this color palette plus black, and I wanted an off-white sofa. Unfortunately, I gave into the fear that it would make my family feel they couldn’t relax in the room, and, after two years of debating, I finally chose a tweed that worked. I’ve regretted it every day. But gradually I am getting closer to the “feel” of the room I wanted. Before I could finish the room, I sold my house and moved into a temporary apartment. “Temporary” may well stretch into several years, and I need to feel good in this space. One thing that has worked in my favor is the off-white porcelain tile floor in the large open plan. And I’m so pleased that I waited until I found an area rug that warms up the room with texture but stayed with my desired color palette. Here’s what has surprised me most recently: On the EA floor sample sale were two Ferri ottomans which I asked my designer to bring to my home so we could get an idea of what direction to take. We both really liked the addition of linen-like texture, as opposed to another leather [which I’d planned for practical reasons.] We both liked the way the off-white fabric lightened the room. Knowing that I can choose to have them reupholstered very easily since it only involves the cushions, I chose to purchase them. And I’m another step closer to my original intention. I brought out more of my white and off-white accessories, and put away what most people consider to be “color.” This feels right to me, so now I can better convey that to all of you. I know that most advised me in an earlier design dilemma to add color. Please don’t worry. I can add more colorful accents at any time, and I will do that seasonally. Next I'll be searching for a 42”w x 18”d x 18”h coffee table with a glass top and metal base in oil rubbed bronze. This size seems best for the room, and I can choose to configure it with the two ottomans to form a large rectangle (42”w x 36”d x 18”h) when the ottomans are not in use. They also look nice along the wall across from the sofa, but for now I will use them as my “coffee table.” That has allowed me to remove the current coffee table and re-visualize the room. While looking for the coffee table, I need to decide on the drapery panels. The only reason I want them is to break up the mismatch of colors--the wood-colored blinds and the taupe walls--neither of which I can change due to the fact that I’m renting in a brand new complex. I’d like them to pick up the main color of the area rug. I’ve been watching for a PB sale. PB offers ivory in the 108” length that I need. (So does RH, but even on sale, they are too costly, I think.) It is essential to me that they hang very straight. No flare. Just barely touching the floor...and yes, start above the actual window height by about 9-10”...ceilings are 10' so I can make 108” work. I think I need to have a professional hang them for me. It is hard to spend a lot of money on window treatments for a temporary space, but I want this place to look and feel great while I’m here. Most if not all of the pieces I’ve chosen will work in my next home. But drapery panels...well, it’s harder to justify the cost. Watching for just the right sale. Any tips will be welcome! Thank you for your continued input and support.

With the mix of roof styles (hip and Gable), the mix of roof pitches in the same plane (hip is shallow, gable is steep), sorry, but this home will never look good if you maintain the current configuration. It may be made to look better (fixing landscaping, going to a single color and style of roof cladding, repainting, maybe adding a few well considered and appropriate features such as pillars, shutters new front door etc.), but it will never look good. If you start with what your budget is (what you are willing to spend), you can then work with architects who can show you what solutions that budget will provide. That way you will know whether your budget aligns with your idea of what looks good, and you will likely get an outcome that is both functional and you'll be happy with. If you approach it from what budget will it take to provide a good solution, then the answer is DC to Light (i.e. $500K + for full gut, partial tear down and rebuild, down to $500 for new paint) because "good solution" is in the eye of the beholder. Sorry for the being such a Debbie Downer. If you need an architect who works on project via long distance, Architectrunnerguy on this forum has done such projects, you might want to reach out to him. Best wishes on your project.

IKEA cabinets (Ringholt uppers (glossy white) and bodarp base (grey-green). Oceana quartz countertops. Cloe green horizontal running bond subway for backsplash about 14 inches up.