Sprklberie's Profile

If Justin were my "partner", he could read whatever he wanted in bed. ...and eat crackers.

I like this idea of putting siblings' beds foot to foot. It's sweet.

LOVE.

I'm on the gratitude bus with everyone else here, but I'd like to offer some advice you might actually be able to use. I do sympathize with you, as I've had something similar occur. Moving home can be a real pride issue. As if it weren't bad enough that you've ended a major partnership, you have to leave your independent home and potentially slide back into playing the kid again.

I don't know your mom, but my guess is that if you bring this matter up to her and (kindly and non-judgmentally) admit any trepidations you may have about feeling like a grown-up with a grown-up space, she will be willing to carve out a spot for you that is solely your own (She's someone's kid too, after all). A nest within a nest. If this website tells you anything, it's the quality and personalization of the space that counts, not the size. The rest of the house is hers and is not yours to judge IMHO.

Even if she's totally unyielding and won't even allow you to have your basic Virgina Woolf things, do keep in mind that our parents don't owe us *anything* material once we're adults- including a tastefully decorated home. Your mom is making a generous concession because she loves you, so her work is more than done, and everything else is gravy. You can always use it as a catalyst to get back on your feet. In this I case I would suggest channeling your annoyance into planning and dreaming about what you will do with a space of your own when you have one. For example, you could make a nice, uncluttered Pinterest page, which will allow you to feel some order amidst the knickknacks.

Good luck!

Even though my parents are painters, I'm pretty sure Bob Ross is the reason I've had so many awesomely treated apartments.

Check out the Mr. Rodgers "Garden of Your Mind" one. It will reeeeeally make you smile.

It looks great. GREAT. I want to grab a girlfriend and a bucket of nail polish and have a slumber party in there.

Beautiful vision and fantastic execution. They're *your* ($12.50!) beds, do what you want with them!

@LITNERD, I agree. I think people often use dull knives, which would be very unsafe if used in this manner.
It's counter-intuitive, but a sharp knife is really so much safer to use! Just imagine all the force you have to use to push a dull knife through a tough piece of ginger, and what would happen if you slipped! An appropriately-sized, well-sharpened knife will cut through most things like butter- just use common sense and take your time!

Just reread this post and wanted to give it another thumbs up- Good work, Abby Stone and AT!

Congratulations! How exciting! You've got a darned good template already.

Tough to answer specifically without knowing your personal style. Are you a cook? Do you entertain in the kitchen, or do you prepare food and bring it to another area of the house to entertain? I think it's important to consider how you will *use* any room before you spend $$ revamping it- especially if you plan to redo it anytime soon.

Let's assume you're a chef and you like to chat with guests or family as you cook. The focus should be on making a space that is flexible for cooking and gathering together. Think Julia Child's Cambridge kitchen- not in terms of style, necessarily, but in terms of flexibility.

I would replace the island with a long (counter length), work-height (~36") farmhouse table, under which you could place stools and some attractive storage . Can't tell from pics what kind of task-lighting you have, but if you have a long table, you'll want to spread that light out, maybe with three pendants or an oblong drum shade.

In place of the nook, consider furniture meant for other areas of the house, like a loveseat and armchair (IKEA Ektorp? Cheap, versatile), so that guests can relax and still chat with you. It'll be far enough from the food prep that it won't get ruined, and you can make decorating choices that either visually separate it from or include it in the kitchen. Good spot for pre-dinner homework, also.

Anyway, that's what I'd do. Looks like a fun challenge, actually.