twnt1andcounting's Profile

Kudos to anyone with generous parents -- mine live in a carefully curated, decorated home, and any time I've asked to take anything they've been offended, saying, "we're not dead yet!"

I live in West Harlem, above 125th Street. My parents grew up in 1970s NYC, so at first, they were both horrified at my location. Then my dad visited me, and he started to come around. My building is a walk-up and isn't the most well-maintained, but he understands that I'm just starting out and that I'll move up from where I am now eventually (hopefully - not because of the location, but because of the building. It really is kind of falling apart).

My mom also understands that I'm just starting out, but constantly tries to talk me into moving back to Astoria, where she lived in her 20s and where I lived before my current neighborhood. She just doesn't understand why I would want to live where I am now, even on my budget.

I should also note that my parents fled to the suburbs (lower Westchester County) as soon as they could afford to move there.

This is very helpful. I tried to find a tool box a few months ago and was surprised to find that most of the boxes already came with tools!

Blue eyes, you're not uptight! And anyone staying with you should understand and respect that you keep kosher. I'm sure if you explained it to your guests, they would be happy to help you stick to the rules.

PS -- I think bay windows beg for round cafe tables, but I'm not sure the purpose the room will serve...

You can cut down on fur shedding by brushing your cat regularly and making sure he has a feline-appropriate diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and don't have a thirst mechanism, so they get the majority of their water from food. If you don't already, try feeding your cat a carb-free, high-quality wet food like wellness. It took months and a lot of frustration to switch my cat over when I adopted him, but I think it's worth it. He's health, the litter box never smells, and he doesn't shed at all. My cat-lover friends can't believe it when they come to visit. I know this isn't decorating advice per se, but I hope it helps with the shedding/litter box concerns.

What shade of paint did you use? It looks like a perfect, cool, smokey off-white.

I have many close friends who live out of town. When they come visit me, they pay for and suffer through the round-trip bus/train/plain ride, and give up the comfort of their home to sleep on the air bed in my living room. I'm often so grateful that they took the time and expense to come visit that I'm only too happy to take them out and do whatever I can to make them comfortable while they're here. After all, they're my friends and I want to visit with them, and when they come to me, they're saving me money plus however many hours of travel. Of course, the situation is different when it's a friend of a friend I've never met and he's using my place as a hotel... that's a whole other story that may or may not have happened.

I'm from New York (city, then suburbs) and live here now -- though it's starting to wear on me. I do like city living partly for the many entertainment/food/shopping options, as many others have said, but also because I can rely on public transportation and don't have to rely on owning/maintaining/driving a car. I also like not having to commute 2 hours a day to work, and in a city, there are more jobs per square mile than in a less dense area. At this point in my career, I appreciate the flexibility to move around if I'd like. I also volunteer with various organizations, which is something I wouldn't have the opportunity to do in a small town.

But in a city that's as big as New York, am I going to sit on the train for three hours round-trip to go to a free concert in Park Slope? Maybe once a year. I would much prefer to move to a more compact city, such as Boston or Washington. I adored Boston when I lived there, and had much more energy to actually do things because I was facing a 10-minute train ride (or 30 minute walk) vs. who knows how long on the train. When the economy picks up and more jobs become available (or after I get my master's degree) I will definitely be in the market to move.

I, too, think of decorating/home design as a hobby. My job is stressful enough. Decorating my home allows me to be creative, and I enjoy learning about various design techniques and designers. Maybe it is a compulsion for some people, but for me it's an outlet.