I am not sure why you are not using your Central vac on the rug. I can understand if you only have a suction only rug nozzle, but a power nozzle would do well. If you have the electric power nozzle, make sure that it is running properly. Check the belt and make sure the the brushroll is spinning while going over the rug. Make sure the bristles have not worn down so much that they are not effective at cleaning the carpet. I would not suggest getting a new unit if you are only going to be there for a few years and money is an issue. A regular vacuum cleaner can be taken with you. There are different levels of people with allergies and how much reaction they have. Personally, I have some allergies, but only require a thoroughly cleaned environment and a vacuum that filters well. I do not need the super duper tremendous filtration vacuum cleaner. There are others who must have the best filtering. If you have carpeting and floors, you probably want a canister with power nozzle. If your child's allergies are terrible, look into a vacuum cleaner with a sealed system. This insures that any air goes through filters and does not escape through cracks before leaving the vacuum cleaner. I do not know your cleaning routine, but you should make sure that you really keep the dust down. Dust often and vacuum everything. That means vacuuming the rugs, floors, furniture drapes, walls, etc. The walls do not have to be done every time you vacuum, but they do need to be done occasionally. Vacuum your mattress once a month. It is very easy to do. Don't put off vacuuming, because you do not see dirt. Dust is there, because dustmites are there(unseen). There is no need to remove carpeting, just vacuum more often. I love having carpeting. I do not want to be dusting floors daily; chasing dust across the floors. A Miele vacuum cleaner, with a power nozzle, would work for you. I just do not care for their expensive bags. They have come out with a new and improved bag, decreased the number per package and raised the price. A better idea, for the customer, would be to give them a choice. Remember, earlier I said that people have different levels of allergies. Take a look at Tacony's Riccar and Simplicity brands. They offer some canisters that have a sealed system like the Riccar Pristine or the Simplicity Verve. Go into the vac shop and take them for a test drive. Do not pay attention to the website prices, because they are MSRP. A good vac shop should have a better price. Cost of bags and filters are cheaper than Miele. Another brand would be SEBO, but are expensive also. I would suggest that if you look for a vacuum, take your child with you. See how the child reacts after the vacuum is turned on. You cold do this if you test the Kenmore line. Another cheaper vacuum would be the Hoover S3670. It does have the high filtration "HEPA" bags and filter, but it may not work for your child. It does filter well, but may be a problem if any dust escapes. Dysons filter well, but the problem is when it has to be emptied. You would have to make sure the dirt bin is emptied outdoors. I do not care for the performance of many of the models on rugs except the DC17 and DC28 uprights. Take your time when looking for a good vacuum cleaner. Here is a link that might be useful: Simplicity

I was in Target yesterday and they were having a big clearance of home furnishings and décor. I had not even noticed when those items appeared in the store, so I think they move them out quickly. I took a quick look at some of the furniture but was wondering about quality and durability. FWIW, a lot of art fair artists are selling stretched canvas prints now, both photographers and painters. (You know how most painters have both originals and offset reproductions of those in their booths). The printing on canvas technology has come down in cost recently enabling individual artists, not just large manufacturers, to be able to print their works on canvas. Its called a "gallery wrap" when there is no separate frame and the canvas is stretched all the way to the back so staples are not visible. I have a friend who is a photographer who has gone completely to this way of printing as it is so popular; no more glass or matting, or worrying if the frame will match decor to deal with. Its also less expensive (after initial equipment outlay) allowing them to pass on the cost savings and make more sales. She also sells her work online at a 2D art dealer and they said the gallery wraps are the fastest selling category they have going, regardless of subject. You could visit an art fair and get something so wont see everywhere, and know it wont be in Target tomorrow.

I called customer service then and she said when they're out, they're out. So I guess it wasn't meant to be. I checked stores all over the place and there was none. It was the Robert Eclipse Blackout panels in chocolate. I want brown, backtab curtains and these were in my budget with good ratings. The curtains don't have to be black out/energy saving but I thought it would be nice. My current curtains are pretty thick and they're closed all the time but I don't like the look. I was planning on only closing the new ones at night. I might order the brown Cindy Crawford curtains like Whitdobe has and recommended but they're not lined. I'm trying to decide if that's really a big deal to me. Target has a "pair" (wow, you don't see that much) of 96" brown curtains but they're pole top and I want to be able to slide them easy. My friend that travels a lot called me a while back and asked if I still wanted curtains from Ikea because she was near one. I figured I would buy from JCP so told her no. :) I'll have to see if she's headed back anytime soon. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00111989 Here is a link that might be useful: JCP curtains

NHB, I will say once again, I love your home! We don't have the arches that you do, but a fair amount of architectural detail in our home. I understand the desire to "soften" the windows in the dining room. Here is what I did: I have French Doors that lead from my dining room out onto the veranda. The designer I chose wanted me to put Roman Shades on the windows because of the millwork but mostly because of light switches on either side of the doors. I wanted something to soften as well as the ability to close the drapes when entertaining or just enjoying a romantic dinner with my husband. I decided to go with plain panel drapes stacked to the side of the doors with batons for when I wanted a more intimate feeling in my dining room (it's open to our living room too). We like a lot of light because much of this room is north facing plus we have the large overhang. I put the cordless cellular shades up on the windows (from Penny's they are great!) and my drapes were installed last week. I'm glad I went with them instead of shades or just blinds, and the designer did agree with me that it was the best choice. Of course, your home has more millwork than mine does and we don't have the large capitols over the window as you do. I love the look of the simple goblet panels though. Whatever you do, as others have said, will be beautiful. You have great taste! Susan