Thank you all so much. My husband and I are really conflicted on what to do about the tree. To add to what the last poster put...it kills me to think we could possibly remove this tree. My babies are 5 and 3, and they've grown up playing near it, and learning about nature, seasons, birds, etc. from this tree. It has significant meaning to me. Plus, I really do think it helps our front porch and living room stay cool. It would definitely alter the look of our house if we removed it. I just honestly don't know how we'd take care of the sidewalk without killing the tree. Even if we tore up the two blocks of sidewalk being buckled up, how would we even fix it, because the root is clearly what is tearing up the sidewalk? We couldn't remove the root or grind it without killing the tree, right? In any case, the tree needs trimmed. The branches are extending over the roof of our front porch, causes clogged gutters and so forth. It's enormous and needs to be at least trimmed. That we can all agree on! I want to save it. My husband is very anti-tree and wouldn't be upset if it was gone. I personally listed the tree as one of the reasons I wanted the house. I hear that at one time, when the street was newly established, every other house had a sycamore, but over the years, they've been removed. We've also asked the city about help, and they said that trees and sidewalks are all the owners' responsibilities. :( Trust me, I want to save the tree at all costs, but I have to think about safety, too, you know? This is all very confusing. Especially because today, my daughter and I made shortbread cookies, and as I was cleaning up the mess, I thought, "If these were dark granite counters, I would have smears and streaks from rolling this dough." And with the laminate, it was very easy cleanup. So why mess with a good thing? See how conflicted I am? I'm not completely sold on granite, really. I just think it looks sooo pretty, that's all. Thanks again, everyone! Oh, and the reason we would want a permanant roof over the patio is because we really would like a ceiling fan, and it would feel like more of a room than it would if we just had an awning. But i did consider one. Beth

Thanks so much for all of the thoughtful replies. You've really helped me start looking at my options differently. I agree with those who said that whether art "goes" the best or not, it should evoke an emotion and bring us pleasure to have it in our space. I really appreciate all of the links and suggestions and I'm looking at each one. The framed piece from my bedroom is back where it belongs. Although I still like it, I also felt that it was too small, too subdued, too fussy, etc. The blank wall is just fine until the "right" art comes along. Annz... I'm going to find more info on Robert for you. I misplaced his card so I read his name off of the picture (possibly getting the spelling wrong since it's somewhat hard to read.) I've emailed the organizers of the art fair where I purchased his work. I need to find out if he's finished the companion piece since I planned all along to buy it as well. Allison0704... I'm happy to hear that your daughter liked the PB chandelier enough to buy it for her room. I turn it on, day or night, whenever I'm in the room for more than a few minutes because I love it so much. Olychick and Snookums2... Thanks for the great idea to enlarge a framed piece. I'm filing that away for the future. Miz M... That looks beautiful over your tub. The colors are perfect with your valance. And what a clever way to store your hair supplies! Pattyxlynn... I love that picture! Although I really hope to bring color onto that wall, I am really drawn to that artist's work. Bronsynsmom... What an interesting thought... that one would stop seeing art after the initial flush wears off. As I think about this, I completely agree! Of all of the art I've had, there have been some pieces that I never tire of and smile each time I look at them and then others which become invisible after awhile. I think it goes back to choosing art for the emotional connection, something with personal meaning, rather than fulfilling a certain design criteria. All of your input has been hugely helpful so thank you! We have dinner guests coming 3 out of the next 4 nights so I need to put this aside for a little while. I'll post some options when I find them. Hmmm...maybe I can even get my 14 year old to show me how to photoshop the images into the picture of my room!

I've got SS for most of the perimeter counter-tops, marble for the coffee bar and island. Both are great, I would use either or both again. Pick what you like and don't worry about it. IMO granite is everywhere, doesn't mean it's not great just everywhere, I tend to buck trends but try and one up them. Doesn't always work out but I would never 'follow' just because the bus goes that way. It's the folks who step out a bit that tend to inspire the rest of us to look beyond the norm. I'm starting to think that conceptually the 'kitchen' itself is a bit played out. It's becoming more and more the focal point of the home but is still carrying a lot of dated ideas and norms. I'm waiting for the person to come along w/a whole new concept of the cooking/gathering environ and how it relates to the rest of the living space. I haven't completely wrapped my head around the possibilities but it's interesting thinking.

Thank you for your ideas, Kendrah and Maureen. Kendrah, the current colors ARE really nice together—but they’re not “right” for us. Hopefully, the ones we end up choosing will be as graceful together. Maureen, I love the pictures you posted and the look of hinged shutters that can actually close, but we don’t have enough wall space on our porch to have that kind on the four front porch windows (or around our door) because of the sconces and doorbell. We took down the shutters that were on the ground floor because we thought they were too skimpy (and, unfortunately, can’t be any larger). We could have larger shutters made for our three upstairs windows (which would include the one over the garage)—but not for the front porch windows.