EC1212's Profile

I just bought this rug from Crate & Barrel for my bedroom, and I'm really happy with it. It's got a shag look to it, but because it's made of jersey it doesn't shed. And, it feels nice on the feet. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive. The grey or white might work well in your apartment.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/area-rugs/remy-shale-rug/f40372

Yes, this store is beautiful but REALLY overpriced. I prefer Past Perfect (on Union and on Lombard) for my mid-century furniture shopping--great finds for more reasonable prices.

My husband snores to a level where I can hear him through earplugs, so we sleep in separate bedrooms. It's not how I imagined married life to be, but I have to say that it really works for us. Let's face it. . . being irritated with your partner in the middle of the night, and being sleep deprived, are not good for a relationship.

I agree with everyone about sticking to white tile. Ann Sacks has a variety of skinny/mini subway tiles, as well as hexagon shapes. I used the 1x2 tiles for my back splash and it looked great. Like you, I have white cabinets and a black (soapstone in my case) countertop. Here's a link to the Ann Sacks tiles: http://www.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/program.jsp?cat=268004&coll=268104&prg=272004

My advice would be to take the larger unit and invest in some great lighting and other decor. Renting from a friend could be an issue, but it sounds like you've worked that out? I guess another obvious question is whether you've also looked at other apartment options--maybe you can find something else that you like even better than either of these two apartments.