Hello Suebot--- I am no expert BUT I have been growing clematis for many years. Plus my Mom and Dad grew them. Mom has two that Dad planted over 25 years ago before his sudden death and they are still blooming. It's a old time favorite-- Nellie Moser.-- How old were the clematis that you bought? 1 year, 2 year or 3 Year?--- I think I would keep them in the containers another year if they are 1 year olds and allow them to sit and grow.-- I have never had a Wisley but I do have the other one.--- The only thing about growing clematis with roses is the pruning. Thorns and clematis vining are hard to prune @ seperate Times.-- They are 2 great websites that I use for reference as well my clematis books that I bought while visiting the Clematis Society in England.-- the sites--- the one I just mentioned and the American Clematis Society that has headquarters in Calif.-- Did I ask all your questions?-- If not please just let me know.

How frustrating! I can't imagine where you even found brackets that were 5ft deep by 2ft high. I'm not surprised tho that they have metal inside since they were probably made to be true structural supports instead of merely decorative. Since that roof section seems to be staying in place just fine without bracket support, it looks like your brackets just need decorative. If so, you don't need any metal inside. I know you already paid for those brackets and I'm sure they weren't cheap. But, since you want your shutters to be operable, the only other option is to get/make brackets that will fit into the space you have available and that CAN be done. You just need to find someone with the skill to duplicate the style in wood but make it thinner. Are the brackets fairly simple in design or very complex (lots of scroll work)? Obviously, the more complex they are, the more it will cost you to get thinner duplicates made - but a really good millwork shop can duplicate just about anything. I've linked to one place in California that I'm pretty sure could make you whatever you want. Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Ox Millworks

John, Can't advise you on Stickley vs. Classic Leather but I think the salesperson you spoke with on the Marshall Unit was incorrect in describing it as a 'beach ball'. A Marshall Unit is used in conjunction with down cushions, and usually shows up on the option list terminology as a 'Spring Down" cushion. Here's how it works. If you had a pure down cushion, it would be soft and plush like a down pillow, but it would flatten out after sitting on it and require 'fluffing' all the time. People tired of doing this a long time ago, so the industry responded by developing the Marshall unit. This is a spring grid with a series of small individual springs each encased in its own sleeve and set up as a cushion insert. The area in and around the sleeves is filled with down and then wrapped in a Dacron casement. Voila! You have a down cushion that 'springs back' to about 90% of the level before it was sat upon. They're actually quite nice to sit upon, and considered highly desirable in most furniture. On leather hides, it does allow the leather to stretch more than a standard Qualex cushion so while comfortable you will see more hairline stress cracks due to the increased travel of the cushion insert. As for H&M, you know they run the gambit of prices. If you stay in the Town and Country sofas and hides offered, they can run $ 1,995 and up : most in the mid-$ 2K range. Once you go off that promo in Class II hides, you are going to be in the higher price categories. Duane Collie Here is a link that might be useful: Marshall Unit

Dilly- Actually the dresser is 1948..So pretty close to the 50's! HA... That is really good information on the brass. I have been lugging this thing for years and its been in my basement at four previous homes. When I get time I will take a close look and see what the story is on that. I like the idea of making it more aged (if possible)depending on what I find. Very good ideas and thank you so much for sharing that knowledge with me... Will let you know what I find. I had an entire white french provenial bedroom suite when I was a child. Canopy bed and all. It was a late 60's thing too. This dresser is a lot slimmmer on the sides and has more curves. Just some neat history on stuff..Its funny how time repeats itself. To give you guys an idea of "how bad" this place was when we bought it. I guess the previous owner locked their animals in here for very LONG extended times. Especially in the finished basement. The cat pee would kill a Marine! LOL...You could crack the door and pass out. We had a "forensic" cleaner come out and lessen the smell by 80%. Then we were able to at least go down and start getting the junk out. Once all the junk was out, he came back and did some more and it was 95% better. We purchased a huge dehumidifier and kept it on full blast for two weeks. A family member is in commercial janitorial and she sent me some stuff to finish cleaning the walls and concrete. Now all is well in the basement. Upstairs was ankle deep in dog hair. Every air vent was clogged and the returns were stuffed full. I don't see how they even breathed in here. Cat poop on the counters on the stove in the stove. We were not sure we could even save the refrigerator. I tackled the stove and DH did the refrig. FOUR HOURS... The grease was in multiple layers and once I started disturbing it the rat poop started coming to the surface...OMG....I almost lost my lunch a few times. We were able to save both of them. The Master Shower was soooooo bad it took us three days and lacquer thinner to remove the dirt. The shower doors even after lacquer thinner and everything under the moon including bleach and pressure washer were unable to be saved. DH will end up tiling the entire shower but we were trying to at least get it where we could live here. We have no vanities or linen closets (cabinet man is hard at work as we speak) So we are unpacked except for that. What little sheetrock that is in here is in great need of paint. The biggest shock was it has a HUGE master closet and not one rod or shelf was ever installed in it! People lived here for four years like this. It was a diamond in the rough and it only took us walking in for one second to realize the potential. People tell us we love punishment! HA! We call it sweat equity... I just can't wait for the painter to get here...He is going to start in Master Bath and go to the MIL room. Then we will get through Thanksgiving and start again.... I can't wait to hang some pictures...... You guys will see the finished products, I promise.... I know I am gonna need a little help here and there..... Ohh yeahhh every door in this house was either scratched down to bear metal or wood. DH has been one painting fool!!! He is "Charlie Daniels" of the spray gun...LOL!!! Took us a week and half just to clean the first story so we could move an air mattress in....Lots of fun when you are moving across three states...Ahhhh yeahhh we nuts!!!!!! Lisa