amy good house's Profile

I have a lot less books than the examples above, but I did something similar:
http://itsagoodhouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/office-update.html?m=1
Not so much a rainbow, more like blocks of color...

I would embrace that beautiful archway. Hang a curtain rod on the vestibule side of the archway. So that corner is sealed off from your apartment. Use a floor length fabric- so many fabrics to choose from - good luck!

I've used Benjamin Moore "SIlver Fox" - you can see photos here:
http://itsagoodhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/pointless-exercise-in-aesthetics.html
It's a pretty neutral warmish grey - I love grey too - good luck!!

Hardwood all the way! Match the closest color to your existing wood. Lay the wood perpendicular to the wood in the hallway.

Stain the "threshhold" area (like 2-3 boards, or add one wider board?) in a purposefully darker color. Your eye won't see the difference between the bedroom and hallway next to the darker threshhold.

like this, but pretend it's wood:
http://ofb.net/~ania/life/mastermart/pics/20100220-_DSC0760.jpg

I'm not a parent but I get it. A full closed door would completely block off half the house. The half door accommodates talking to other people on other floors/areas.

I live in what I think of as a nice-sized 1920s house. Most of the Restoration Hardware furniture wouldn't fit through my door! The "kitchen" tables would work perfectly in my dining room. The "dining room" sized tables are over 100" long and would never fit anywhere in our house without looking ridiculous. The chandeliers would dwarf our ceilings. That place is out of control with their sizes!

What Dulcibella said, most of that stuff can be done in one day for under $100. Then go to Home Goods and get a nice big silver tray, silver soap dispenser and a bunch of white hand towels. Roll the towels and stack on the tray on the counter between the sinks. Add a real plant, like an orchid, for extra points.

I like this, however it doesn't fit the current house at all. I can imagine it next to a re-furbished and modernized ranch house out in the desert (something like this would work better: http://www.the-brick-house.com/2011/04/landscape-2/)

We have the almost the same room in our craftsmen-esque 1920s home.

Our living room layout works very well for us and accommodates the flow of traffic through the room - see photos here:
http://itsagoodhouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/state-of-our-space.html

- we currently have a loveseat couch floated in front of the fireplace wall, however we are looking to replace with two cosy chairs.
- Our couch is placed on the wall to the right of the dining room.
- Our tv is placed against the wall to the right of our front door (so the large couch faces it).
- we have a small console table and lamp along the staircase.
- since the above photos were taken, we added a rug which really unifies the layout: http://itsagoodhouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/were-officially-grown-ups-now.html

I know many people recommended floating a larger couch in the middle of the room facing the fireplace (creating a "foyer" area inside the front door) --- but if your room is the same scale as mine, this would severly hinder traffic flow through the room.

I work in an office that is 90% women, many are mothers with young kids (including our boss!). Occasionally, someone brings the kids/babies in, and it is totally awesome. We all take time holding the babies, playing and talking with the kids, etc.

I think it's ok as a temporary situation, like if you are interviewing sitters and need a week or so, or your sitter calls in sick last minute or childcare is closed for a holiday, etc...

I would also like to add that my office situation is pretty casual, family-owned business, however we are really REALLY busy most of the time. And the sort of situation you are describing would just not fly in my workplace as an everyday thing. It's really too much to retain a professional atmosphere and unfair and limiting to yourself.