whistlerpotpoie's Profile

Great topic!

Just make sure your landlord approves the paint (and the painter) even if it is white. Try to get this done before you move in!

I would add wooden hangers to this list. It's a little thing that makes me feel clean and organized.

Yes. Thou art brass on the wheels.

Sorry - I understand now - if it zips all the way closed.

@village - don't use a Roomba on thick carpets! It's really only good for hardwoods and lowpile or flatweaves.

And it's crazy good - I love that little robot baby!

@mschatelaine - totally going to describe my style as Goldilocksism now! Thanks!

My friend's family manufacturers most of the sheets for department store brands (Hotel, Charter Club) and Target (Thomas O'Brien). They use the Hotel 700 threadcount (Macy's) in all of their homes in India. We love them, too!

We did this with with "What Pete Ate from A to Z" by Maria Kalman. It's in our media room on Hague Blue walls - it looks fabulous and makes us smile everyday. And no, we have no children!

http://www.amazon.com/What-Pete-Ate-Maira-Kalman/dp/014250159X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1299618702&sr=8-6

Great start! Here are some ideas from someone who likes an eclectic/lived in look.

1. Add some round to all the square (your crystal ball lamps are a good start!)
Round mirrors I like
http://www.wshome.com/products/p9267/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1|24|||1|||||||mirror&cm_src=SCH
(I think there is a knock off of this on Overstock or at JC Penney - can't remember)

I have this mirror in my entry way and love, love, love it.
http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod32860024&eItemId=cprod32860024&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dporcupine%2526_requestid%253D3693
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/good-questions/help-with-living-room-design-dead-ends-good-questions-126441?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apartmenttherapy%2Fmain+(Main)&utm_content=Google+Reader

Put the mirror on the wall opposite the sofa with a craigslist or vintage buffet to ground it.

You could use a round coffee table or tufted ottoman, too in place of what you have. (Plus it will break up the matchy matchy of the end tables/coffee table.)
- Try for vintage or craigslist. You could also do round with a mirrored surface for a little more sparkle.

2. Dramatic, lush curtains. Hang them 10" above your window and make sure they go all the way to the floor.

Pick a luxurious fabric close to your wall color. The light will hit it and it will look high end but not contrast with your walls or make your angled ceiling stick out. I think sand is the best color for you - but of course look at it with your wall color and make sure.
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1472006&navAction=push&navCount=3

3. Your rug is pretty, but too small for the space.
Get a big sisal'jute to go under it. I don't know the dimensions of your room, but you may even want to go 9 x 12 - leave 12-18" around the border of the room so your pretty hardwoods show through.
This is from West Elm - super affordable
http://www.westelm.com/products/jute-boucle-rug-r038/?pkey=crugs-flooring

4. Fun artwork
I have framed pages from a children's book, melanine John Derian platters from Target, boiled peanuts for sale signs, calendar pages, you name it. Just get six big, plain black frames from IKEA (11 x 17) and six things you love. Have mats cut at an art store (this makes it look polished, not DIY) and hang them in a grid with 2" in between each frame)
Put this over your sofa.

Finally - I would ditch the floating ottoman and get another chair to match the one you have.
Get a ceramic garden stool in an unexpected color or finish (like turquoise or chrome) to use as a side table for the chair.

Keep having fun - you are doing great!!