monarda's Profile

My daughter stayed in a German home. They had timers on all the window shades -- or shutters -- don't remember which. She said it was very nice and wished we could do that here. Seems more natural.

Enchanting!

Don't feel bad about ripping it out and starting over. Some plants are only attractive (or productive) as juveniles. Gardeners view such occasions as opportunities. Of course, if this were a rare and desirable hard-to-grown specimen it would be a different story. But it decidedly isn't.

That's all very well, but what do you use to seal these things. And does it work to seal concrete basement floors (and how often). Tired of concrete dust. Also tile floors, any recommendations?

I thought the link below (Ukranian Village) was among the most seductive posts on Apartment Therapy. Perhaps the effect was much enhanced by the way it was photographed, but the effect was a very light, cheerful appearance despite the beige (or griege) wall colors and dark wood trim. I noticed there was supplemental track lighting (the plug-in kind), artfully placed, as well as a lot of other lighting from lamps (from Ikea).. And, of course, white canvas curtains and light rugs. On the other hand, the beige wall color made a transition that harmonized well with warm dark wood and deep red and green accents.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/marian-sigs-retro-modern-ukrai-145986

From the point of view of someone who has a lot of books, these bookshelves look great. But it makes me kind of sick to think of all that bare wasted space around the books. Unless you plan to have double rows, Billy shelves are just too deep. The shelves are also way too far apart. Most books are no higher than ten inches, more than that and they are oversized (I don't know what the people have here, sets of law text books? Encyclopedias?)

But as I said, they look great. The warm colors are marvelous. I especially like the red accent wall with the wood. So cheerful. I would like to do that to our library.

I think velvet is rather formal. Therefore a rug and upgraded, slightly more formal coffee table arrangement (2 cubes, say, or a trunk, or even a small Moroccan, if there's room ) might do the trick. And curtains. You want it a bit more formal, while remaining casual and welcoming, like you have it. Mirrors and metal make a nice contrast. Also you could paint the walls a warm gray or cool tan. Not sure, at least in this vignette, if the lavender works.

I think green and yellow go well together, but would cover the olive (brown?) throw pillows with some decorative covers in another color -- something that relates them to other elements in the room. The yellow chair should face the couch. And there should be another side table on the other side of the couch with a lamp on it. The lamp you have is very nice,

Note kitchen in this blog, scroll down a bit.

http://www.delikatissen.com/2011/12/papel-de-pared-en-zonas-estrategicas-del-hogar/

Actually pictures no. 3 & 4 on the original site with more white walls white and natural wood counters are by far the best. It would have been preferable, IMO to paint the walls white rather than gray, and have a white backsplash. Alternatively, the cabinets should have been painted the same gray as the walls (and backsplash The metalic tiles just don't do anything) On the other hand, if you are absolutely set on a black and white theme, then why not continue the black and white theme on the floor and have black and white tiles? And stove should have black top to match the counters and fit the space. The cheesy cabinet handles, no way.

Picture of Carnegie Hall with tannish terracotta trim -- much more elegant in person than picture shows.
http://www.theheej.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/uws025.jpg

The stonework is reddish buff.