I hope we here from Donna soon. I am hoping that she decided to quit the boards cold turkey too as it keeps pulling her back into trying to fix the M.
As for you, your H is jealous. Let him stay that way. As long as he remains a closed book to you, remain a closed book to him. Sounds like you need a fistful of wildflowers too, but put them in one of your spaces in the house.
As for the room, maybe find some curtains first, I have in mind something that recalls an impressionist painting like one of Monet's. That should really open up your space for paint colors.
