Thanks, Holiday-ers...for all your kind comments...I am very slow this holiday season ... the virus bugs have hit around here & takes time to kick 'em...soon, I hope. punk ... the walnut/stained glass hanging lamp is handmade by the original carpenter that made the buffet & table. We were luck enough back in 1985 @ my hubby's gr'parents estate sale to buy the buffet/table & brought it home strapped to the top of our camper...can ya believe that! Anyway, the light was hanging in my hubby's Dad & Mom's cabin in Minnesota & he gave it to us since it originally was made w/table/buffet. Isn't that just cool! The carpenter was Larry's gr'ma's brother-in-law & he died in 1938@ the young age of 44(born 1894) ... so all of this was handmade sometime in his married life to my hubby's gr'ma's sister. I have a handwritten letter from this sister back in 1985 telling us the history ... she was pretty old back then & shared it with us. Ok, I've rattled on ... the runner is new last yr from TJMaxx ... can get bargains @that store! I am looking forward to decorating that lil' vine tree some for Summer, too. :-) Thanks again, friends. Jeanne S.

Punk: The candles are actually a cheat. I took a plain blue gift bag, chopped it up and covered ordinary white candles in it. I've done that several times for colors that just aren't available. Of course this wouldn't work if one actually wanted to light them I don't think. Can we say "fire" , eek. ((Luvs)) , it's good to "see" you.Thank you! Yes, I generally do all of my own florals :). Very rarely do I find something I can leave alone. lol

Hello Everyone, Thank you all SO MUCH for your suggestions! I really appreciate it and the "vision" is starting to appear in my mind! Oceanna - I will check out the cottage decor gallery, I have not done that yet. Thanks! frazoo - I love it too! It is SW Bamboo Shoot. I also have it in my kitchen. I get a lot of compliments on my color scheme, I have the Bamboo Shoot, White Raisin and Steely Gray throughout my home. They all work great together. newdawn1895 - no, dh would have a heart attack if I wanted to paint the furniture! LOL! It will have to stay as is. As for the chaise, I may try to work with it, when all is done if I still don't like it, I'll move it to another room and get another chair for this spot. As for roman shades - yes, I love them! I found some at Bed Bath Beyond that can be hung on a rod instead of mounted. I am picking them up today! I am getting a textured white shade. Also picking up a white duvet cover. I'll post more pics once I have made a few changes and go from there. Elaine

Hello! I would love some suggestions for two large rooms in our house. I would like to add area rugs and curtains in both rooms. My taste is on the traditional side. I have found options online, but am nervous about mixing colors and patterns. The dining room is in the center of our house. We have access to our backyard and kitchen through this room so it sees a lot of foot traffic. Our table is 8ft. I would assume a 9x12 rug is recommended? Low pile and indoor/outdoor compatible? We have a heavy duty mat on the patio for dirty paws and shoes. Should we do a 9x12 rug and an additional runner from patio door to kitchen entry? What kind of window treatment would be best for our single window and backdoor/window combo? Should the rod extend way beyond the door so the curtain slides all the way? Our bedroom is quite large and we have recently purchased a bed set, but I'm not sure if the layout works. A 9x12 rug would fit under the bed and both night stands would fit inside. If we placed a rug under the bed, would it look bare for the other half of the room to have nothing? What about a runner from the bedroom entry along the bathroom and closet door? I am open to moving the dressers around. The tall dresser could go on the wall to the right of the double window, I have a standing mirror in that corner now. The wide dresser is opposite the double window, and I plan on hanging the matching mirror above it. The giant dog bed in the corner can be moved too ;) The rug pictured below is an option for the bedroom from wayfair(customer review pic) I am struggling with the idea of patterns or bold colors in the curtains or area rug. If the rug has a pattern, would it clash with our duvet styles that we change frequently or if we had curtains with a color other than ivory? I have found some toile and soft floral patterns that are beautiful. Would it be safe to choose an ivory or linen type curtain so it is an easier match? Your suggestions are welcome!