david @ justveggingout.co's Profile

I suppose I technically live in the suburbs (Alexandria City, VA), right across the river, approximately 5 miles from downtown DC. I'm quite fine with this. Where I currently live feels more "urban" than living in, say, upper upper Northwest DC.

However, there is no way I could ever live in the outer suburbs, i.e., outside the Beltway in Fairfax, Vienna, or Reston.

A slight veering from the topic: I have a similar modern patio in a grid formation and I would kill to have a similar pergola (as in the photo) over it. My partner says no. I just don't like sitting outdoors at all with full sun hitting me. Since the house is in my name, I probably should just do it (build the pergola) when he's out of town - ha ha!

I like this - very Sunset Magazine-esque.

That's some serious neck craning, given size of room, if you mount tv over fireplace and place (presumably) couch in front of fireplace. I like toypixie's suggestion. I did a similar switch when I lived in small rowhouse with formal dining and living rooms in DC.

I have gone to my local garden center (Merrifield in Fairfax VA) on a weekday with cell phone pics in hand. Employees are very knowledgeable and helpful. I'll tell them that I'm looking for a plant to fill such and such space, and ask for suggestions. I did use Merrifield's landscape design services ($50 for an at-home consultation and drawing) for an overall landscape design. I used the suggested ideas that I liked and could afford to implement.

Maybe some textural and/or shape variety in the living room? All of your furniture pieces are squarish "upholstered" pieces. Consider a glass or wood coffee table that is round or oval? I think the tv stand (ikea?) is small against the awesome brick wall. Maybe beef it up by flanking it on each side with matching billy bookcases from ikea and then add colorful display on the shelves.

The minimalism of Tiffany's sunlit is what I would prefer in my own home. But, Minetta's layered is romantic, kinda low key sexy. This would be my vacation bedroom.

I have an Ikea kitchen and I love it!!! Installation is also diy friendly - I installed mine (both wall cabinets and base cabinets) myself.

Ikea contracts with Whirlpool/Kitchenaid for their appliances. At least that was case back in 2008.

One important thing to consider: starting this year in Sweden and (I believe) next year in the US, Ikea is completely getting rid of the Akurum line and introducing an entirely new kitchen system called Metod. You can get more information on Metod on ikeafans.com or by just doing a google search. Metod may or may not be compatible with the existing Akurum line of cabinets. This transition might explain why the kitchen section of Ikea retail stores (at least in Woodbridge, VA and College Park, MD) seem to be offering a more limited range of cabinet door selection than in years past.

I had a one bedroom, two level apartment, in the heart of a neighborhood called Hillcrest in San Diego. Two balconies - one off each level. $600 month from 1996 to 2001. I was young and single and this location (and price!) could not have been better at that particular time in my life! Oh, and the landlady was cool. It was sort of Mauin's "Tales of the City-esque."

I used the larger pavers to create a patio grid in my own backyard, but I think the smaller pavers, featured above, would actually look better in my backyard. Ugh!