Happy November! Fortunately, we all made it through Halloween...but you know what that means, the holidays are just a few, short weeks away. Something like 7 more Fridays until Christmas! What the what? Time to start planning, am I right?

Right around this time of year, every year, I start to think about where we'll be putting our Christmas tree. I won't lie to you, I think about it every time we move into a new house - this last move was no exception. And the hard truth is, there's no good/obvious spot here. Sadly.

Which brings me to the real dilemma/subject of this post - something I've gone back and forth over for the last three years...to open or not to open the casing between our two sitting rooms.

I don't post this view very often so I won't blame you if you didn't know our two rooms are connected, but they are. Two cute, cozy rooms - one for the tv and one with a fireplace - which works wonderfully most of the time, and helps us to fully utilize all our space and not fall into the dreaded unused formal living room scenario. Except when we are entertaining or during the inevitable Christmas tree placement conversation.

Of course, I love the beautiful moulding and the shelving and the closed storage in the den (see below)....

But, I might like an open space even more. Of course, there's the non centered fireplace we'd have to contend with, if we removed the opening, and the patching of the floors and walls and ceiling. You get what I mean. It's not a cheap solution.

Would it be worth it, though, that's the real question.

I did some digging around to see what inspiration I could come up with...one option would be to keep the shelving on the living room side and remove the closed storage on the den side, plus widen the opening to create a more "one room" feel. Like the library above. I like it, but it's a lot of work for not a lot of change.

The other option would be to remove the opening entirely and have one big, glorious room with all the room in the world for a Christmas tree, but also with an askew fireplace....details, details. The image above makes that look like no problem whatsoever. That room doesn't have 4 windows across the fireplace wall either...more details.

Either way, I love the idea of 4 chairs near the fireplace with couches in another area to create loads of seating.

I've also always loved the idea of the back to back couch design...hard to master, but when done well, it's oh so good!

So, in conclusion. I have no idea what we should do, but if we decide to open up the two rooms I have two good option for decorating it. I feel so much better now...wink.

Would love to hear what you think.

More to come...