Thebradseed, you said it! The bird picture serves an important visual purpose (that is maybe more apparent in person), in addition to just being really lovely in its own right. It does slow the eye...

Thanks for the many comments! We were amazed at what a difference it made, too. In addition to the column build we painted out all the woodwork a rich buttery cream. We're so happy with the results...

I keep Dwell and Atomic Ranch, and I occasionally buy old Better Homes and Gardens and House Beautiful from the fifties and sixties, for, um, reference (but really because I can't help myself). I d...

The cat's the clincher. Looks great - to my eye, anything much wider than a single-width obscures too much of that beautiful floor.

Don't know how to help, but it sounds like you have a PERFECT opportunity to induce some maternal guilt! Good luck...

My mother-in-law thinks that she's really nailed my style. Because she knows I like home decor books, she bought me one about shabby chic, flea market decorating. I hate that style. She knows I lik...

I've had jute rugs that held up relatively well to cat scratching, but they're pretty worthless when it comes to spills. The coarse natural fibers are super absorbent and don't respond well to clea...

Fantastic space! Where did you find that great table? Do you take the umbrella down when you're not outside? I'd be afraid it would blow away. Also, how do you prevent your cat from jumping up on t...

^JulieLeanne, how do you go about getting something powder-coated?? I have some patio furniture that could use it.

I like the arc lamp idea - you'd still get the overhead feel of a chandelier which would define your dining space but using a lamp v. chandelier gives you the flexibility of configuring your loft's...

Update: We finally closed on Monday! Had a contractor over yesterday to look at it, and it appears to be partially supporting the beam crossing the ceiling perpendicularly. He thinks that in some p...

I'm just going through this process. The house we're painting was recently painted by the home sellers, probably specifically in preparation to sell, but they chose a bunch of life-sucking colors. ...

I see this and I think "Sunset Magazine" from the 50s and 60s. If you can get your hands on some old Sunsets or the classic Armstrong Inspiring Interiors book you'd see some wonderfully rustic-mod ...

Currently, it's the second bedroom. So nice to have an extra space to relax, watch tv, get away from each other. Also, lovely views up on the the third floor surrounded by trees. It's been like liv...

enmnm, LOVE the trivet idea. Love it! Also thought about a piece of butcher block or a built in lazy susan. Maybe I could turn the whole thing into a built-in scratching post. I know some "people" ...

I've never owned a place so I have no idea who I should contact to take a look - a contractor? If anyone has suggestions for Chicago tradespeople, please let me know! I'm not assuming...

^katherinec - the countertop is clearly cut in around the column (can't tell in the photos), so just removing it entirely will require some kind of patching or coverup, hence my desire for some kin...

Julienne here: Thanks for the many suggestions. First off, let me say that the column is not at all teeny-tiny - it's nearly 6 feet tall! The ductwork doesn't dominate the eyeline the way tha...