Thanks everyone. I know it seems great to have all these windows and I am definitely not complaining, but we realize we could have had almost the same effect and light with 8 instead of 10 - and saved a lot of money (in cost of windows and framing) but the architect shows you the drawings and you think wow, that looks good, and you don't think about whether or not it will be practical in use. Our architect came up with that to remedy an really unfortunate addition done by former owner. They stuck on a weirdly designed very 1980's round addition to a 1920's Dutch Colonial - but in a completely different style from original and tried to make it look somewhat like a lighthouse. From the outside, it just looked like a big round mass of stucco, now it looks much better. But I digress... Anyway, that's a good idea about the remote control shades/blinds. Do you know if they work well over time. I like technology, but just want to make sure they are not repair prone. I guess I can search and see if there are any threads about that.

Hi Lady_West, I frequent other forums normally, but I noticed your post when signing onto gardenweb today. I wanted to tell you that I love your bungalow and, fwiw, add some suggestions/thoughts on choosing dining tables and chairs :-) Of the choices, I like the table in #4 best. It looks like Tell City furniture to me. My Mom has Tell City in a little different style and she always says the wood is called "hard rock" maple. It has mellowed to rich brown tones and I guess it just looks like home to me :-) Also, about the table in choice #4, the long sides look like they are drop leaf. The bench could go along the side with 2 chairs on the other side and one at each end. That is probably the length it will be, I doubt it has leafs. You will want to measure your dining space to be confident of the max size of extended table that will fit in your dining room. Consider getting around with the chairs in place as well as if there is room for a hutch buffet, if that is included. With a "real" wood dining table, the top is not Formica and will stain and ring (over time) from drink glasses and spills that are not immediately wiped up. Heated dishes can mar the finish as well. That is why most ladies of the "dining room" era would have used table pads under the table cloth, to protect the table surface. For daily use, a Formica top table, while not as pretty, is more scratch resistant, durable and practical for young active families. When viewing the chairs in person, test them for joint strength. Put one hand on the back and the other on the seat, using downward pressure wiggle the chair. You can tell very quickly if they are sturdy or worn out. Also, sit in them and if the back "gives" or makes a pop or crack noise, beware. Long tables, like the one in choice #5, tend to sag in the middle without support. Vintage 5 leg kitchen tables had the support for extra length. A 5 leg kitchen table is another style you might consider in your new home. Also, if the leaves of the table are stored in a closet or under a bed, they can become a different color hue from the unprotected everyday used table. Be sure to examine it all together in daylight, so you can see more clearly what you are getting. You might consider waiting to buy wood dining furniture set until you uncover and refinish your wood floors. If the wood furniture matches the floor too closely, they blend in and their beauty is lost. Congrats on beginning a new chapter in your life. Take your time, purchase what you love and it will feel comfortable and look like your home. Have fun, Deb

Greetings from the lush Pacific NW, Seattle, Washington! Congratulations on your darling new home. What a find!!! I too, tend to agree this is a late Victorian, rather than an Edwardian or even later, a 1920's residence. This is not a four-square as they appear here in Seattle. Architecturally, the four-square has perfect symetry, which the subject home does not. It features a "turret" sort of structure which then offers lovely bay window sort of enclave. To be envied indeed! The give-away as to the style of architecture additionally, is the fireplace. Many of the 1920's homes have that traditional "Tudor" or pointy-topped fireplace surround. Some even have niches for objects of art. The subject home has far more fussy details than the stripped down Arts & Crafts style, favored in the early 1900's. Yes, I too would go hunting for Victorian furniture in rich mahogany. Even Eastlake furniture would be great. Personally, 1920's style furniture (which I have in a portion of my own home) tends to be very straight-lined. One sees the beginnings of the Art Deco Age. My display cabinet has sloped outward angles and has a lovely wood panel/fret work sort of thing as the door. Compared to Victorian, the wood of the 20's furniture I have found to be lighter in tone, often fruit wood too, compared to mahogany. In my spare time, I am a historical costumer here in Seattle. My husband (Sir Harry of Essex) and I have appeared in historical documentaries filmed here as well. If you are a Facebook fan, feel free to find me as: Lady Victoria Seattle. I also moderate on FB and on the Yahoo Groups: Victorian Revival which discuss furnishings, table settings, Victorian-inspired lifestyle, etc. Great fun for those of us kinda "stuck back there", unwilling to wear 21st century clothing all the time! (wink) Please post photos of your efforts in decorating! I'm sure all of us out here would love to see your lastest "find" from garage sale or thrift store. Also feel free to post images to the Victorian Revival site as I can assure you folks will love to see photos there too. Wishing you much joy, health, prosperity, and time to enjoy all three in your new home.... Lady Victoria of Essex Here is a link that might be useful: Facebook: Victorian Revival

JDS, I hadn't even realized what you'd posted was a link (said sheepishly). It's very helpful. The rest of our trim is just like what is shown in the collection in the middle of the bottom of page 17. Yes, I understand completely what you're saying about the philosophy of the style. I'd actually been planning on more or less replicating the baseboards and/or door frames somehow with what I'm calling (perhaps I need another name) crown molding. I guess ceiling trim would be a better term. The ceiling trim for the catalog collection is actually more detailed than what I had in mind. I'd been planning on my general contractor doing the carpentry from scratch (he's matched our trim before when we redid our bathroom). I was most stumped on dimensions/proportions, but maybe we can just order. Thanks, again. This is indeed a good resource.