I can't answer your question about the root but suggest you go to that area of gardenweb that deals specifically with tree problems. I would think you could get much better and more knowledgeable advice there. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/trees/ As far as the underlayment for the liner. I bought it from Joe at justliners when I did mine. Since that time many here have said they use various things including old carpet, newspaper etc. I just chose to go with the professionally recommended thing because I knew I was making a large investment and didn't want to penny pinch it at that state. I am sure the other things work well but that is just me. Here is a link that might be useful: My pond the way it was before the freeze.

Does your son have any sensitivities to smells along with his allergies? (I do. Most smells hurt my sinuses.) After ordering several samples to examine/smell, I didn't order rubber flooring in my home gym because of it. I wouldn't have carpet as an option at all. Personally, I would do hardwood throughout with similarly-toned tile in the wet areas - or - cork throughout. This includes the hall/loft area, but not the stairs. (The stairs match downstairs wood, right?) I have frequent guests, but I don't have any that spend extra time in their bedrooms. Certainly, they aren't on the bedroom floors much. So, I would do what made me happy to look at that unified all the spaces.

Kim, I know how difficult it is to change furnishings in a room, especially when the room opens to another. Every little decor change or "tweak" ricochets across the space and before you know it, shopping for new sofas becomes a total room redo. Not much of this decor stuff is "easy" and I get how compromises need to be made when your spouse isn't on the same exact page as you. That said, I'd like to share a couple of thoughts with you: 1) The reminder to be kind to yourself. You aren't a pain because you like different styles or have difficulty deciding on elements. We're all entitled to love different design styles and choose things at our own pace or even change our mind like the wind. Taste evolves and is personal. Truth is, you owe us nothing in this forum. For better or for worse, we're giving our advice freely. We're all free to walk away from the thread. Just know that most of us are well-meaning design-loving souls who wish you the best in your decor endeavours. Btw, your current den isn't "ugly". It might not be au goût du jour but I can think of much uglier things in life than uncomfortable over-scaled seating. 2) Real life limitations and budgets are to be respected, not dismissed nor shamed. Only you know the impact decor changes might make on your family life and only you know your actual budget limitations. There is no need to justify either to anyone. I get that 25K is the cost for a total room redo with good quality new furnishings but to see such a plan presented to you after you stated a 10K limit makes me wonder if Pros have a code of conduct where the client's budget is given due consideration. Perhaps a plan that costs two and half times the initial budget is meant as a wake up call to current marketplace reality. In my world, it's simply rude or "tone deaf" to use current parlance. Sure, tell me the cost of new furnishings but offer me affordable options! Remind me that quality second hand options exist, furniture can be painted or relocated! Things can be done in stages and perfection isn't the goal. Isn't Interior Design a creative profession? This is a decor forum where it can be easy to forget there are other priorities in life besides perfectly appointed rooms. A perfectly done living space does not a perfect life make. Regardless of what social media will have us believe. There is no shame in "making do" or opting for temporary solutions in order to respect one's project scope and current life situation. As others have expressed, there are plenty of ways to repurpose furniture and textiles. There is more than one way to achieve a pleasant and functional room and as homeowners, you and your husband decide on the budget, project scope as much as the timeline. No law says it needs to be done all at once. All this to say, I want to echo what others have expressed: I hope you're now working with a Pro who truly hears, understands and respects your family's needs, project scope and budget. Best wishes.

Agree with primer. The current wall colors will reflect on samples and skew your color assessment. And taking out carpet. Even if you plan to go with more carpet, you can find a better color in something that’s not too expensive and have a great fresh start. Do you have a collection of favorite bedroom decor pictures— color themes especially. What bedding, as noted above, is your favorite look? All white & fluffy, with color on walls and elsewhere, or vice versa with a rich or cheerful print and coordinated walls? Or layered soothing neutrals? So what color floor treatment works with that to keep the room light enough or moody but not a charcoal cave? The reason for not just leaping into wall paint color is because you have infinite paint color choices but fewer flooring and even fabrics, so you use those as guides for paint swatches. I think of the flooring/ carpet decision or direction first , or at least recognizing how it works with walls, because— if you live darker wall colors you may need lighter carpet for contrast, or if you know you don’t want upkeep of light creamy carpet but prefer a camouflaging darker or tweedy carpet then you might pull paint color as a lighter contrast. Or if you plan wood flooring there’s the color and degree of “ warmth” and golden tones that might be present. Sure, you don’t have to be so ticky, but then you may find, my comforter doesn’t look good with my walls. White walls are KINDA an exception, except, not, if you want warm creamy bedding and rich brown wood furniture and choose an icy white, or want pale grayish blue carpet and have painted your walls a buttery white. But unless you are going for a very challenging color scheme, it won’t be that hard. I love blue& white bedrooms but still have to understand, hmmm, blues that run more aqua vs gray- blues or purply. I think you are smart to start with bedroom because it can be “ stand-alone”, does not have to be part of a whole- house color or style scheme, just clean & restful/fresh- feeling. And by same token, is easier to change up down the road if you want a new color or bedding, so today’s decisions don’t lock you in forever, so able to make some choices without using up all your decision- strength that is needed to keep going on furthest projects.