CarolineNYC's Profile

The great thing about decorating this way is that you will create a home that has patina...not an "instant room all matching from Pottery Barn" which I see all too often.

The one tip I have is to think about other ways a piece of furniture was intended to be used. From my grandmother's attic, I got the beautiful iron base of a sewing machine. The old machine had long been removed. I had a thick glass top cut and now have a conversation-piece hallway table. I also love mis-matched chairs for my dining room - always get compliments on that. I have a 'panel door' (or so it seems to be) that I found on the street - lower portion is solid, upper 2/3's is fretwork. It is put against a wall in the bedroom and is a piece of 'art' of sorts. Beautiful and costs me nothing. I've seen people take an old dresser, repaint it and even remove the top drawer to stack (side-ways) books. Consider yourself blessed if you have to take a few years to put it all together - it will be original!

Go with a regular bed with a bookcase (like those big square type from Ikea) separating it from the living area. I've been in tiny apartments in NYC (lived in by two people) and this was the way to go. Sofa beds are uncomfortable and loft beds aren't that convenient if you need to get up and down at night to go to the bathroom (not to mention that you need a high ceiling to avoid feeling claustrophobic). Nothing is as important as good sleep and the "day bed" scenario isn't that practical unless one of you doesn't mind sleeping next to the wall and crawling over the other person to get out of bed. That will get old fast!

Semi-like it but wouldn't want clothes skimming the top of a radiator, looks a bit dangerous. I also think I'd prefer it in another corner of the room, not next to the side of the bed, looks awkward. Could likely work well for a child's room, especially a little girl with frilly dresses to display.

Love it all! Who is your sofa by? And by the way, the teal trim totally makes the house say"fun" - it's a keeper!

If the safest way to protect antique quilts is to roll them up with acid-free paper, how about rolling them up, then stacking them against each other in some type of large basket -- you'd get an array of color and textures while still protecting them. Another option would be to find a 'container' to put them in and then put a glass top on it and use as an end or coffee table.