lampeam's Profile

"Confident but polite" I shop in the downtown Los Angeles fabric district on a regular basis. I am always surprised by the rude hagglers. On more than one occasion I have gotten a sweet deal right after a merchant has had to deal with one of these people. A smile, promise of buying enough yardage to make the discount worth it and an assurance that I will return to his/her shop always wins them over.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa- iconic. I think these go really well together but keep the rest of the room simple. Think Japanese aesthetic. This doesn't mean you need to do a Japanese theme but go for a less is more approach. My aunt, both artist and art teacher, says things you like always go together. It's all about how you put them together. Enjoy!

I own two, a twin size hollow iron bed from my grandparents and a solid iron double that belonged to my great grandparents. Love them. You can find these antiques periodically at estate sales, auctions, antique malls. Two things to watch out for, contemporary mattresses don't always fit them and the hollow ones might have something stashed inside of them. My aunt found hundreds of dollars hidden inside one of the posts while cleaning and repainting.

Oh this makes me smile. And feel old. Albums in milk crates is not new to those of us who remember the days when you could only buy albums. And you would be surprised to find out how many unique ways there are to use milk crates. :)

I'm curious, why don't you think there isn't hardwood under the carpeting? I'm guessing there is but it's in terrible shape, hence the carpeting. Just an fyi but it's totally okay to ask about what's under the carpeting. Along with asking about roof, plumbing, electrical, foundation, heating and cooling, ask about what's under and behind everything. You won't regret it. Good luck with the flooring project!

I agree with the first post, tension rods within the frame to show off the woodwork. Those are contemporary rods that I don't think are quite the right scale of the windows. Good luck with what ever you end up doing, those are great windows!

This sofa has terrific lines and is probably well built. Can you really not afford to reupholster? I'd do a little research in your area and see what it's going to cost and save for that. I'm 47 and wish I had put my money into a good sofa instead of several budget sofas that I no longer have.

I think Pi has pretty much covered it and I recommend following her/his suggestions. I would add that a loud exercise machine is not that much different than loud music and that is an acceptable grievance. Noise is noise and her expense does not justify disturbing you.

My mini washer creates a version of this problem. I have made attempts to muffle the sound and vibration and try to do laundry when she is not home. Not always possible but I never do late night laundry. Why do I try to accommodate my neighbor? It's just the right thing to do. And someday I might need something from her.

Vertical junk drawer. Get cup hooks, pocket style storage pieces, cut a shoe bag to fit, whatever. Part of the problem with a junk drawer is that all that not used every day but you really want to keep stuff is that it is a jumbled mess in a drawer.

All your pieces are small and blend in with the fireplace. You need fewer, bigger and higher contrast pieces. If you move the Mucha and Klimt that you love so much to a light colored wall they will show up better and you will enjoy them more. Look for art nouveau and arts and crafts artists for one big statement piece over the mantel. I would also look at Stickley style furniture and have a mantel made more in that style. Good luck!