Prettier in real life - I completely agree with that! I put Tammy's up on my design board and it really makes it come to life.
Judith, your addition - while you call it simple - was (IMHO) the perfect thing to do. A calming area to set off the beautiful interior work and still set the stage for the next rounds.
Now, to find the right fabrics for what I am planning......Blues and Yellows will be a nice change from the Black & White wedding quilt I am also working on.