poetry's Profile

I agree with the above -- don't offer unless asked -- and then, only when very, very specifically asked.

Also, watch the person's body language. After some honest praise, sometimes I'll use a phrase like "I've enjoyed this idea/color/theme..." as a way to offer a suggestion.

Having had people bluntly state their (unasked) opinion of my attire, home, garden, etc. I can appreciate that a little tact goes a long way.

A great idea -- though we do re-use those thin produce bags several times as lightweight liners for our bathroom wastebaskets. They last a few weeks (but, if someone has a cold, we obviously don't reuse).

I had a similar set-up in my first apartment. You could get a slab of thinner butcher-block, and lay it over the washer-dryer if you needed some extra counter space (but, only for laying dishes on, I wouldn't use it for a chopping or stand mixer). Some discount building supply places carry odd bits of countertop for very low prices (or, ask at a local cabinet shop for off-cuts).

You could use the butcher-block if you moved for other things, like a kitchen table, etc. so it might be worth the investment.

Overall, I think bright vintage-inspired accents would draw attention to the charm of the cabinets, and draw attention away from the washer-dryer. At least, it seemed to work for me at the time.

Hope this helps!

Love Pearl.

I also read that some of the shops are closing.

Thanks for this posting. I plan to purchase a print soon.

We've re-used old floor boards directly from our farmhouse with varying results; some are too full of hidden nails or cracks to be re-used, while some (the old chesnut, I think) re-planes beautifully.

We also live near a cabinet making shop (now, sadly closed), and were sure to check a bin they had outdoors marked "FREE." We knew when a new staff member was training: it was filled with slightly mis-sized, unfinished cabinet doors in premium hardwoods, which we have repurposed into tables, shelves, and built-in cabinets around our place.

I have an antique print framed, and under glass, near my mixer (which gets a workout) and it does fine with the occasional wipe-down. The frame is new, however. I would not want to subject a gilt frame to such indiginities!

I work by color and have very small items for my collage work, so I've ended up using clear zip-lock type bags, sorted by color (at least 20 bags of blues alone, from ice-blue to indigo). The colors then go into larger storage boxes, also clear, so everything is visible. I can stack them, and carry them around with me easily.

Buttons and beads go into 2" metal tins with clear lids (inexpensive favor boxes from Wilton) which allow me to see color families at a glance.