Agree… I wouldn’t worry about it matching the front. You may want to change that overtime I would make it the same colour as the house so it disappears.

Well, I guess the main reason is I sit back here in the mudroom inside the house and like to look at the backyard. I’ve kind of made it a hangout for myself. That railing is so thick and obstructive. It blocks my view so much. Also, I was trying to think of something I could do myself here. I have cinderblocks to make like a seat with wood, but I would have to attach those because I can just see those getting knocked over with the grandsons over here and that’s such a hard seat, so I probably won’t try to do a seat type thing. And with it not being so far off the ground, I don’t have to worry about code, but there is a drop onto a brick patio so I have to keep that in mind. I think I’ll just go with a lower banister and maybe make it 6 inches instead of 4 inches. Not extremely low, but perhaps 3/4 of the way up instead of the full height that it is now. And I’ll only have maybe two or three boards going horizontal instead of all those thick balusters every 4 inches across there.

I hate to say this but I would wear gloves. My human angel friend that helped me with Ollie bought new gloves, just simple leather gardening ones with a big cuff because she said it’s the smell that they sense. Cat bites and scratches are nothing to mess around with and I just spent three days on antibiotics and got a tetanus shot after these claw marks from Ollie who was also a big cat. These were deep puncture wounds and nothing to mess around with. Particularly where she has been out and about as a feral,? If you do get scratched or bitten you definitely need to get medical attention. Wishing you luck here you might be able to trap her it might be easier if you have a live trap and put some treats in it.

I think the biggest issue you'll run into with a larger rug is the angled fireplace. Anything large enough to reach from the sofa to the chairs will be too wide and will run into the fireplace. Instead of a rug, I'd add more color and texture with pillows and artwork. Perhaps a warm wood coffee table with texture would break up the expanse of carpeting. This has texture and storage for blankets for movie night, etc. It's very reasonably priced.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F64KYP45?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback&th=1

I think you'll get more continuity in ideas moving along if you keep each step of the process in one thread. That keeps everything working as one cohesive idea rather than answering each new question in a bubble.

Your instinct about the hotel-lobby, California feel is right, and the room is closer than you think. The missing piece is scale: two 99-inch sofas facing each other want a long, low table between them, and the sofas pulled in so there's about 16 to 18 inches between the seat edge and the table.

I'd look for a table around 60 to 66 inches long and 15 to 17 inches high (your seat height is low, so a 19-inch table will feel tall), either a travertine or honed limestone slab on a plinth base to echo the fireplace, or a long light-oak or white-oak piece. If you can't find one long enough, two matching 30 to 32 inch square or round tables side by side look very "lobby" and are easier to move for the kids. A big upholstered ottoman in an oatmeal boucle with a tray is the softest option and sits beautifully on that rug.

Keep the blue rug; it's doing exactly what a hotel designer would do, giving the beige room one calm color. Just echo it once more, a couple of pillows or a piece of art with that same dusty blue, so it reads as intentional. Then edit the shelves down to fewer, larger pieces and the whole room will click.

It’s been a long day and I am relatively exhausted… Fortunately I called my clinic when I got home and they can fit me in to the day clinic first thing in the morning tomorrow and I should be able to get a tetanus shot and antibiotics. I’ll be pushing for it. The wounds are healing but I’m not going to let them put me off.

There’s things that can develop in the woman that I made the appointment with on the reception desk said that her sister almost lost her hand due to cat scratches and had to have intravenous antibiotics. So believe me I’ll be looking after this in the morning.

Lia my personal opinion would be just to leave him there at the house and watch his food consumption, perhaps like I had mentioned, get some pumpkin, canned pumpkin and put a little dab in his bowl and if there’s a way to make sure he eats it instead of violet. I know we want to help these fur babies until the cows come home, but in all reality, everything cost so much to find out so little and then there’s more tests to run. You got him up there they looked him over. He’s not wasting away now because he’s plump as far as I can tell lol. Just quietly try to gain his trust back, yes, it may take a couple of weeks, don’t rush it. So much has gone on in just a short period of time and so many changes for him. It’s understandable that he’s not trusting, uncomfortable, and with perhaps a condition. Besides the fact, you’re gonna get attacked again if you even try to get him in the carrier, then he’s gonna be even more stressed going to the vet again and in parallel to that it’s the cost. Blood cell counts can be all over the chart, even just under anxiety. So without further test, there’s no telling. I think he deserves a quiet corner, eats when he wants and to rest and be in your wonderful home with you and his sister. Give it some time 💗 let it be and let him be.

Here we are with cozy and functional room.

Keep the rug, but be sure all furniture legs are on rug for more cohesieve and expensive look.

Add picture lights for warmth and designers look. Keep art you love.

Add texured, muted pillows and throws in green, taupe and cream to bring in warmth, comfort and color.

As for dining area, I would go with drapes and bamboo shades for coziness. I love existing pendants! Keep them high and wide.

Tee hee, Alice. I just smiled. You were wearing your expert hat. And then there are the Silhouette blinds. No need to feel silly. I've done much worse, and it was on FB with a classmate from college. I was so embarrassed.

Thanks for mentioning the possible need for motorization if I can't reach the top. (I think I can.)

Flo, that is funny. I've been thinking about sharing this for quite awhile. I took the photos in August!

Thanks for mentioning the concern about the thickness of the roll. I might need to go back to square one. Hoping not!

Hi Parker! It's great to see you here! I think about you so often, and I pray that your DH is doing as well as possible.

My sister has a Flexsteel, too. She (or someone else) told me that there was a change, and that the quality is not what it was. When did you get yours? Also, would you please remind me of the sofa color you have in your sunroom? I remember the cheerfulness of that room!

Dsimber, the previous performance fabric was a loose weave and came apart. They have a new performance fabric now. I got my new sofa last December. The previous sofa I bought over 7 yrs ago.

Not a pro here. Just want to sat that Emily's suggestion looks most appropriate to me. FWIW. I think it seems to fit the recommendation from Prime Estate Studio:

"I would choose a cleaner, more sculptural pendant rather than another traditional chandelier. A wider fixture in warm brass or matte black would give the dining area a stronger focal point and connect the two styles."

I certainly wouldn't add a third style such as modern or Contemporary. Maybe Prime Estate Studio wouldn't agree, in which case, they may provide one or more examples of light fixtures..

Agree with dsimber. However, if you play games or cards at this table a fixture that spreads light toward at least somewhat will add light where you might need it. It would help if you could post some photos with table top clean and chairs are spread about more. Possibly a chair on each side of the console/buffet.

“Downward” not toward. Sorry. Missed that.