AceFace's Profile

$15K for a leather version. Jesus.

I am kind of in the same boat, but I have a little higher budget: up to $2,500. Unfortunately, I am at least a couple hours from a Macy's or Crate and Barrel or Room and Board to test drive a sofa. Buying a sofa seems like buying a pair of jeans in that they are sold all over the place but you really have to put in the time to get the ones that are right for you.

I've got a couple of the same bases that were originally in the same condition as your before photo. I spray painted one of them, but the finish isn't holding up too well. I just got a 42" round walnut tabletop from the Room and Board outlet last weekend, so maybe it is time to look into having it powdercoated.

As an attorney who has evicted plenty of tenants, I can tell you that you have two choices:

1) do it the "legal" way through the courts and get them evicted. This takes time (at least 6 weeks where I am) and money though.

2) be a hardass. tell the roommate that their crap is going out in 3 days if they don't pay up or leave before then. On D-Day, get some big pals, toss their crap in the hallway and change the locks. Or if your building has storage space, put it there. This has its risks, of course. Their stuff becomes precious antiques all of the sudden and they could sue for a wrongful eviction. They might come back with the cops. But you could take a chance. I figure that if they don't have enough to pay rent, they don't have enough to hire a lawyer. A calculated risk...

If you are interested in waterproof cushions, contact your local marine supply store. They could probably give you the name of someone who makes cushions for boats.

General consensus at (warning: shameless plug ahead) http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org is that the Expedit shelving is a great way to go. Inexpensive, attractive, expandable, perfect shape, etc. I use a Gorilla Rack for my vinyl, which is even cheaper, but much more utilitarian looking.

Wow, some people have too much time, too many phobias or a very different idea of what is fun...

Yep, I picked up a nice mod ceiling pendant light at a Habitat ReStore in Michigan for $10, and the one near me in Ohio always has odds and ends that are perfect for smaller projects.