Alison the Peacock's Profile

This is a fascinating comment thread! I am so not a morning person, and every single day is like Groundhog's Day for me: oversleep, rush around getting ready, curse, knock something over, forget at least one gadget, run out the door sweating, and pray for public transportation to arrive on time. Fun. I probably need that money shredding alarm clock.

I had thought adopting a dog would help me get up earlier, but considering I was twiddling my thumbs on Saturday morning and finally had to tap on my dog's crate at 10:30 to wake her for her morning walk, I'd say that is not likely. She likes her beauty sleep. (She also likes her privacy, sometimes pushing her pillow up against the front of her crate as a crude "Do Not Disturb" sign. I love that silly dog).

I have been loving a lot of what the little elves at KS are doing these days. I don't think I would do any of these as a complete look, but some of the pieces seem worthy of an in-person inspection.

I just bought a space saving table I LOVE:

http://www.novazemblahome.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_5&products_id=132

This worked for me for several reasons...

I like that the extensions fold in for storage, rather than down. I think it looks better when folded, and I also don't have to worry about those legs that swing out and make seating so uncomfortable (the fold-out pieces are cleverly supported by wooden rods that pull out of each side).

The table comes already assembled (you just need to put on the legs), so the folding mechanism is put together professionally. The IKEA convertible tables always seem to get rickety after a while, and things don't slide and fold the way they are supposed to. This feels extremely sturdy, and all of the moving pieces work perfectly.

The table comes in 3 finishes, each rich and attractive in their own way. When I looked at other stores I could never seem to find the table I wanted in the finish I wanted.

I think the price is reasonable -- again, this is an extremely sturdy and good looking piece. Even "cheap" dining tables can be expensive, and you never know how long they'll hold up.

This store has lots of pieces in stock, so they can usually deliver same or next day (it is also across the street from my apartment, which was a nice bonus).

Good luck!

AT, you're the best! I was just wondering about this -- I figured I could find a list of upholsterers somewhere, but I needed some ballpark quotes. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this great article.

Also, it confirmed what I thought about Gerard Theuns. That was my first choice of a starting place (because I live a block away), but totally out of my price range. He does have nice things in the window...

I saw the Nils chairs at Ikea today and thought of this post. I actually like the chair you found better, but the Nils chair is more affordable and at least with Ikea you know what to expect. The green looks better in person than it does on Ikea's website.

Apdesigngirl -- THANK YOU for mentioning Copy Cat Chic. I had not heard of this site before but I love it, she has a great eye!

There aren't many songs about girls named Alison...I would love to win these!!!

The Domino Bazaar was AWFUL last year. Seriously, I was so disappointed I felt that Domino and everyone involved should have been really embarrassed and given people their money back. I had been hoping they had improved things this year (I viewed AT's involvement as a positive sign!), but it sounds like it is the same poorly conceived event. Last year's event was small, cramped, and confusing. There wasn't much in the way of interesting merchandise, it was poorly displayed (like shopping in someone's tiny living room), most of it was overpriced, and there was a convoluted procedure for paying for things. The worst part was the competing camera crews...one from HGTV filming a show, another from a sponsor documenting the event, a third just getting in the way. They kept bumping into each other, crossing wires and getting in each other's shots. It would have been hilarious if it wasn't so annoying.

I'll be interested to hear about the classes this year. Last year my friend and I were excited about a cupcake decorating demonstration by Billy's Bakery. Turned out to be for kids, and involved 4 and 5 year olds dumping gobs of icing, sprinkles, jelly beans, and other candy on plain cupcakes while someone (from Domino? we had no idea) rambled on about finding inspiration in autumn or some such nonsense. And no one even got to eat any cupcakes!

I wouldn't go back (fool me once...plus last year's tickets were more expensive!), but I hope that the AT seminar is great and that people will report back their experiences!