sprite's Profile

My husband and I eat eat salads with meals a lot, but I'd like to expand our options. I'd love some simple vegetable side dishes that are quick to make. Also, some tips on preparing frozen vegetables so they don't taste bland. Thanks!

Do YOU like it? If you do, then go for it! You're the one who will live with it.

But make sure you sit on it before you buy it. My husband and I got a free sofa from the former owners of our house, but I find it too squishy to be comfortable, so now I wish we hadn't accepted it.

The ancient Romans did something similar: they planned every city to be a single square mile. The surrounding farms fed the city dwellers, and even those living in the center only had a half-mile walk to get to the countryside.

The thing is, London was one of those cities. Now it's massive. Cities grow and change, and even the best laid urban plans will fall by the wayside if the residents' needs change.

I love those striped chairs, but I can't find them on DWR. Does anyone know the model name?

@larrouxgirl: I agree with other posters that it's your home, and you should display whatever gives you the most pleasure. You're the one who lives there every day!

BUT, I would tuck the photos away when the time comes to sell your place. Anything very personal is great for making you feel at home, but may prevent potential buyers from envisioning themselves living in the space.

The shorter stacks are fine, and I like the book-stack-turned-side-table, but I foresee an avalanche the day someone wants the bottom book in one of those tall stacks.

The only way I see this combo working in an actual living space is with a lot of light and a neutral to offset the colors' intensity. #1 and #4 work the best, IMO. #3 looks like a bordello.

I don't mind the color-coded idea - I could see some very visual folks finding it easier to remember where a book is by color than by author name. I have to shelve some books according to size, and I have no trouble finding them. But then, I know my books really well.

I think book lovers take pleasure in seeing shelves of books regardless of the effort put into styling because we don't just see books - we see stories and ideas conveniently packaged in a form we can use over and over. That has an attraction beyond the merely aesthetic.

I think it's great to add visual interest to break up rows of books, but any styling that makes it harder to find a specific book is a turn-off for me. Books are not accessories.

Thank you for sharing the before pics, Karen! The change is so dramatic. I'm not usually a fan of all-white walls, but they've brightened up your space and made it feel more open. The vibe is completely different and very serene. Beautifully done!

My guess is B.