BethAM's Profile

First things first, buy a measuring tape and measure your new place. Draw it out to scale on some graph paper. Draw in heating grates, electrical outlets, jogs in the wall. Note the sill (bottom of window) height. Note doorway widths through which you will need to move furniture. All of these will affect your furniture selection and placement. Take the sketch and your measuring tape with you when furniture shopping. Make sure the decor and fabrics flow with what you put in the dining area just beyond - not sure I would go toooo "lodgey" because that theme might look out of place in your adjoining spaces. I'm a neutral-big-piece girl, with accents that I can change out seasonally or if I move, but then again, I'm pattern adverse so to each their own!

I have measuring spoons like the ones in the picture. They are Martha Stewart, from Macy's. Not sure if they are still available, I've had mine for 4 or 5 years now I think?

You need to find out what the building code in your area will allow. And I second the hotel idea.

Architect here. I wouldn't change the kitchen into a bedroom, it might not be up to code (not familiar with NYC specific codes though). What I would do: Take out the closet in the kitchen, use a run of uppers as lowers along that wall instead. Combine the two closets to make one walk-in closet with a pocket door that faces the kitchen. Pull the bathroom door out into the nook and make the space in front of the existing smaller closet a separate linen closet accessed from inside the bathroom. Build a radiator cover type thing with a perforated metal front that stretches the whole length of the front wall to hide the heater and the air conditioner. Incorporate storage into it as well. A bunch of throw pillows and a seating pad and you have an awesome window seat. I would second the opinion to keep the parquet flooring and add to it. It's classic and will wear better than laminate, which I hate. Try searching images where parquet has been refinished with a medium-dark stain, it looks great. Or a sanded bare look for something more Scandinavian. I'd place a bed in the corner near the bathroom, maybe a modern styled canopy bed with shears all around it. Let the living space be towards the windows. Use a large mirror, a la Vincente Wolf. Finally, a modular shelving/storage system along the entire left wall for media, books, art, whatever. I'd paint the whole place one neutral color, please, please, no different colored "feature walls". The small bathroom I'd make a jewel box in a dark color, navy perhaps?

Seeing as the part that's the worst is the sanding, you could hire someone just to do that part. I had a crew come and in one day they sanded my whole 1250sf, 3 bed house, excluding the closets (those I didn't mind doing myself). Then I oiled the floors myself so I could rotate stuff from room to room - the flexibility in finishing it yourself is great.

I find these negative comment hilarious. You know that if it was more staged and "done" there would be protests of "it's not real! where are all of her things?!" Some of us professionals actually like living in toned down, casual spaces that don't have coordinated "pops of color"...

I second the 100% tung oil from Real Milk Paint company. I have cherry butcherblock, and I used three coats of the "dark' oil they have, and then finished it off with a coat of Tried and True Original Wood Finish, which is linseed oil and beeswax. I've spilled red wine on the counter and it just beads up. Nothing hurts it! I also used the tung oil on my floors, paneling, backsplash, and furniture.(I may have over bought... but it's great for everything, seriously.)

I agree. It's terribly difficult to mess up subway tile, whether you use hand-made pricey tiles or the cheapie ones from Lowe's like I did in my recent renovation. I am also on the gray grout bandwagon, it gives the wall of tile more visual texture.

http://rebuildingurbanenvironments.blogspot.com/2011/01/projects-as-of-late.html