StrawberryPie's Profile

We have a laminate Ikea table in our kitchen, and I've found that baking soda with a bit of warm water and a non-scratch sponge gets out any tough marks or dinginess like magic.

My husband and I moved from NYC to a smaller, southern town a few years ago, and we found that it's all about "trading up." At the beginning, hang out with anyone who will have you. As your network grows, you will meet people who you like more and will eventually end up with a group of friends you really dig. It might sound harsh, but it's more of a natural evolution. Life is too short to spend all of your time with people you don't like - but the only way to meet new people is to meet new people!

P.S. I've also heard that Seattle is especially tricky!

This is so timely! Planning to buy a dining room rug, and confused about what material to get. Very helpful!

Huh - timely. I have 13 paint sample colors on my kitchen wall right now. They range from green to brown to blue. It's making me crazy! To me the hardest part is trying to make multiple decisions at once - paint plus curtain fabric, etc.

What seems to work best is taking my time, and starting with one thing (as others have mentioned) - do the paint color first, or choose the upholstery fabric first - and complete that project - before doing the next step. Trying to imagine the finished result with too many balls in the air is just impossible for a novice like me!

"Come to terms with the fact that your home won't ever be "done."

A much-needed reminder - thank you.

We had one of our wedding events last year in our new and first house. Pretty much *nothing* was as "done" as I would have liked. But I was shocked at how many guests ooohed and aaaahed over our house anyway/ It's true - people who love you just want to see you and will love your home now matter how imperfect it is.

Also, it's amazing how much work you can get done toward your house goals with a gathering date looming...

Sorry - "function, lighting, etc."

Love this!!!

Is Dill Pickle an actual paint color? If so, could you tell me what company?

Thanks for this. My husband and I have inherited a beautiful Pakistani rug that's red with white and light blue highlights. It's not the palette I would have chosen for the living room, but obviously we're going to work with it - we certainly couldn't afford to buy such a high-quality rug! So I've been playing with fabric colors for toss pillows and curtains - and you've confirmed what I surmised: stay away from navy blue and go toward softer ones. I've also found it surprisingly difficult to find fabrics (other than holiday-themed prints) that incorporate both blue and red.

Here are 2 other photos from your archives that I've been referring to for inspiration:
1. http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/veronica-and-keiths-handmade-chic/item/347287
2. The first photo on this page: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/style-comeback-patterned-drape-136328

Good lord that looks lovely. And I find the lack of a perfect, manicured American lawn to be so refreshing.