Great suggestions above. You might get some other really good pointers on the Annuals forum; a very informed and passionate group, full of good ideas and unusual suggestions. The polymer crytals are a good idea if the box is small and you can't fuss over it daily. I find that watering the window boxes thoroughly for about a week before planting is very helpful. My windowboxes are quite large and I don't change the potting soil every year, some years I scoop out some of it and enrich with composted cow manure, but others I do nothing. What is key with annuals, is to remember that they're little Nitrogen junkies. They like to be fed regularly. I feed mine with dilute Miracle Gro and I do it every time I water. And deadhead! you can tell who doesn't by the middle of July. If you pay attention to this your annuals will reward you right up until frost, and they will look FABULOUS in August and September. Lovely, Sue! (as usual). I have to ask you, though, do you find that the western exposure box "takes off" slowly? or do you simply content yourself with reduced bloom from the flowering plants? I have 2 windowboxes that have that orientation and I have struggled with them for years now. I just can't seem to get the flowering plants right... too much sun or too little. I left them empty last year and the cats rather enjoyed their dirt bed, lol. I went plant shopping yesterday and was too preoccupied with things at home to make any sort of choice... I returned home, tired from work, worried about Mum, and frustrated by my inability to focus on something that should be so much fun. Today will be better, I hope! :/

Hi Annie, Thanks for your thoughts. Your opinion is valued. Just to clarify, the TV would be in a cabinet a bit like the one below, but with wood painted cabinet in a lighter colour. We are planning on a much smaller TV than pictured too. The electricity and other wires for the TV would go through the floor from the basement below (floor plugs). Powering the TV is not really a challenge, and nor is cord control with the right designed cabinet. [Contemporary Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Other Metro Photographers Elad Gonen As per running around the TV, that could be an issue, and maybe it is just plain awkward. My youngest is 8. In general I am striving for a practical design where some seating can see the fireplace and some the TV. We hope to rework a few other versions. Hopefully you will come back and let me know if you like any other other versions better. Is there anything else you dislike about the latest design after my clarification? Any other opinions on the 18:41 version posted today? Thanks for the help! Carol

Even if you do decide to do the basket weave there, I think you will still find it lacking unless you have a window stool as that is what is really throwing it off for me. To fix it since you have very little space due to the crank, you might be able to build a faux window stool, but you'll need to remove the trim around the window no matter what as it is common for it to rest on the window stool. You could use a think piece of plywood, maybe 1/8-1/4" - not sure how much space you have and then rest it on a molding strip that would form the lip of of the molding and then trim the edge out in a think strip of molding. Going to show you a picture of how generally the pieces are put together. A true stool is at a minimum 1/2" thick when it rests on the window frame and I don't think you have the space. I think you can get the trim strip to adhere to the marble with construction adhesive, but realize this will ruin the marble in that area. You will need to remove and redo the casing on the sides though for the right propertions so it looks correct resting on the stool. I don't think you need to add an apron under the faux stool as the picture has it. That is often forgone when using tile or other materials as a backsplash.

If you decide on drapes, it won't matter what the color is on the inside as long as the linings are the same color, usually white. I have plantation shutters, and while a little pricey, will last for years. The louvers can be adjusted so you can have light, and still have privacy. I don't have them thru-out the house, only on the windows that let in the brightest sunlight. Also saving on the furniture/rugs fading.