There's one issue with the fireplace in your first picture - it basically says "my top half was hidden so my builders used cheaper material (brick) to construct the part that was hidden." Now you have exposed the disconnect. Breathe deeply and relax; no need to fret; you have a ton of options - the first choice you have to make is if you are willing to live with the split OR want to try to make the fireplace the same from top to bottom. (I won't mention taking the whole thing down and rebuilding it.) For making it the same from top to bottom, there's a few possibilities: Do you actually have a brick fireplace and the stone is applied to it? If so, the stone could be removed and new stone applied from top to bottom. If that's too expensive, a thin transition course (like a band of limestone or even wood of similar color to the mantel, could be used and then apply similar, new stone to the top half. Another option would be to stucco the entire thing. That might not look good in a regular home, but for your cottage it could work (the gingerbread/hansel & gretel look). The cheapo option would be to paint the masonry top to bottom the same color. I would hesitate to do that. You could box in the entire fireplace with drywall or the beadboard, such that only a small rim of stone around the original fireplace opening would be visible (or apply a new stone). See the link below, only do the makeover in reverse. Of course, you'd lose the stone or you could apply all new stone top to bottom so you end up with a squared off fireplace and chimney. If you decide to live with the split, there are also many possibilities, although your contractor took the most billy-bob approach. There are better options. If the brick part is in reasonable shape (e.g. no snot joints, although even there, a mason could repoint it if needed), create a transition band. On the blue wall, you've got the joist exposed - bring the wood around the room and create a band of similar width around the fireplace as a transition to the brick. Finish it to the same color as the mantel (or replace mantel to same finish). You could stucco only the top half. You could also paint the top half, but I hesitate again to suggest that. From examples online, it seems best to bring the transition to the mantle, which could be done with stucco or paint. (See the photo I've included below.) There's that nice picture above of the stone fireplace with the decorative flue. Or cover (i.e. apply to the surface, not box it in, so you follow the chimney contour) the brick with a hammered copper type material or maybe wood cabinetry. For such, it might be best to bring it down below the current ceiling level. Of course, you could close up the ceiling again as well. Here is a link that might be useful: Do this in reverse This post was edited by DreamingoftheUP on Mon, Feb 24, 14 at 20:28

Mike, If the centers of the plants are in good condition now, the pot-in-pot shouldn't cause any additional issues. If you are concerned, remove as much of the original pot as possible before dropping it into a slightly larger pot. I only use a small amount of additional media to stabilize the plant, if needed. As a side note: I always try to remove orchids from their original plastic pots before I use this method as I don't like the idea of the plastic always being there as an inner 'constraint'. I'll break clay pots with a hammer and remove the easy pieces, wood baskets usually go in 'as is'. Good luck, Bob

It wouldn't be hard to lift them and replant them on the surface as GG48 says, but they will find their way there probably by the end of next growing season anyway. Plants know what they need and most can respond, despite the silly things humans do to them. The new rhizomes will grow toward the surface, at least as long as they're not too wet and rot. This isn't likely, bearded iris are known as relatively cast iron. I, myself, have found iris in the woods, where there hadn't been a house in seventy years. She's right though, that may certainly affect their next season bloom (which is why I hedged my bets on my earlier post).

Painting cabs is a huge amount of work…to do well. What about white walls, to match appliances…then add colour with a runner on wood floor…or pull some more white into the room…green walls, and a white green and cream runner? I think appliances could work with more white in the room. Paint some of the trim/cabinet accents white is another option.