frisk's Profile

I'm not living in my first apartment, just my first one alone, for the past 4 years, and I have made some good and bad decisions, and leaned some ugly truths. I feel the bad decisions were purely for aesthetics (it's got to be pretty!), and not really thinking about practical use. I think a lot of folks have this problem...

The BAD
1. Reupholstering my vintage sofa in Robin's Egg Blue -- It came out beautiful, and works perfectly in the room and with the color scheme, but now I have to use it. I entertain, a LOT, then, I got a dog that really likes to use the sofa. So, in hindsight, I would have gone with something that hides some stains a little better, and handle the wear and tear. I now use a fabulous Pendleton blanket to protect parts of it; It looks great, and feels so soft. I believe a 2013 reupholstering is in order! (Color suggestions appreciated!)

2. That gorgeous wool woven area rug! -- Seriously, it was great in the showroom, and for the first month, I could handle the tumbleweeds of fluff, but after discovering it couldn't really be vacuumed, or cleaned without a fence and a fire hose, I had to go with something with less pile.

The GOOD
1. Deciding to re-tile my kitchen -- I know, it's a rental, but I hated the awful, dirty linoleum that was there, since at least the 70s. Every time I was in the kitchen, it was the one thing that made me cringe. Maybe a good tactic for weight loss, but not something I wanted to live with. So, I bought some tiles, had a friend who's done this sort of thing before to help me, and over a weekend, voila!, new floor. I couldn't be happier, and all-in-all, it was cheap therapy...

2. Painting the walls -- I live in a small studio, and I LOVE color. I've done some crazy paint jobs back in college, and have learned from my mistakes (safety orange walls?), so I decided to not be afraid of color, but to embrace it. I could always paint over it if I hated it, or if it didn't work (now be honest with yourself on this one. If you really won't paint over it, then maybe a bathroom in Razzle shouldn't be your first pick).

3. Displaying the things you LOVE -- I have a pretty extensive art collection, and decided to go salon style with hanging it. I knew if it was in storage, I wouldn't see it till I moved, so I put everything up. True, I'm running out of space, but there's always my office at work, and I'm surrounded by things I love and cherish.

The UGLY!
1. Finishing what I've started -- Okay, I'm guilty! I have started some projects, and then got lazy/distracted and haven't followed through (second coat of Razzle in the bathroom). This is why I hired a friend, very cheaply, to help me finish those final projects. When you live in 4 small rooms (that's including my bathroom and closet), you can't afford to let things "slide" for long. Do whatever you can to motivate you to finish what you've started.

I'm going out and getting me one of these... Super cute idea.

I use a Mr Coffee Mug Activated Warmer at work. It shuts off automatically after sometime, but keeps my tea warm as I drink it all day. I've had the same one for almost 8 years.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-MWBLK-Mug-Warmer/dp/B000CO89T8

I have two pieces by her that I bought at an open studio. They are small test strips, but I love them and her work. It's so nice to see her working with fabrics and other mixed media. Truly captures a spirit of SF!

@JustBekky: Yes, resorting. I don't know about you, but things get broken in my pad, and some of the vintage options are expensive. They are fine for special occasions, but not my casual cocktail party.

I love this apartment. I've seen it in person, and all I can say is MORE, MORE, MORE! Really, these few images don't do it justice. The amount of time and energy in that kitchen just blows me away. It's truly genius. And what Christopher can do with a Christmas tree is out of this world.

I LOVE these! Makes me want to Dare to be Square. Boo, you're my quilting guitar hero.

@hunted: Best. Rant. On. AT. EVAH!

I don't know, I just don't think these will match my coat of many colors...you know, the one Mom made for me.

As for the iPhone 4, I'm loving Gelaskins, AND, you can make your own for the same price: http://gelaskins.com/create

Amazing. Just beautiful. And the bamboo must feel like heaven.

I think it looks great. I love the idea and think the creepiness is part of the appeal. I have some jars I've been saving and will look for the right objects to put in them. Thanks for the inspiration.