KHinNJ's Profile

Display Name: KHinNJ
Member Since: 12/1/10

Latest Comments...

Or, if we work from home, we could just let the kids hang out and discover that old-fashioned thing known as "unstructured play" where we allow kids to discover their own interests and make their own friends.
Just a thought.


Summer Break: Day Camp Gear for Kids
5/23/13 10:21 AM

The vinyl plank flooring in the basement didn't work out so well. I came to a transition space of about three feet wide, 6 feet long, at an angle, between two rooms and had no idea how to make it work. Then there was the issue of the missing moisture barrier between thr planks and the concrete. Funny how the box directions never mentioned needing one. Anyway, the whole thing started to come apart at the seams, literally, after about a year of service. It looked awful. I just replaced it with laminate, installed by a professional. Much better.


Tell Us: What's Your Biggest DIY Disaster?
5/10/13 2:59 PM

I just sold a house after I finally got my decorating mojo. Now, I'm moving into a new house so I have some suggestions based on both houses.
1.) Do you know what's underneath your carpet? If it's hardwood, take the carpet up.
2.) Start collecting images of houses and rooms you like. After a couple of days, you'll start to recognize styles and colors you are drawn to.
3.) Paint all your walls white to start. You don't have to keep them white but we need to have a blank canvas to project stuff onto. I like Simply White by Benjamin Moore or Du Jour by Valspar.
4.) Select a palette of 3-4 colors from your image collection that you like. Now, whenever you go shopping, look for stuff in this color palette.
5.) Think outside the box. You don't have to use an item for the purpose stated on the packaging. For example, I saw a shower curtain in my color palette at Target and used it to cover the foam on my window seat. Looks great and you'd never know it was a shower curtain. I found a rug at HomeSense in several of the colors from my palette and used it as a table runner. Amazing.
6.) Don't be afraid to paint wood. Your kitchen cabinets are not precious mahogany. they're builder grade oak.
Once you start putting your palette in different parts of the house, it will come together for you. Take your time. Buy only what you love or can afford.


Ideas Wanted for Decorating from Scratch with Nothing But Beige Walls Good Questions
5/9/13 9:33 AM

Oh, lord, I hope Caroline isn't planning to run for office.


Caroline Kennedy Lists Martha's Vineyard Land for $45 Million Design News 05.06.13
5/6/13 11:13 AM

5. It needs some color in there and that green bubble pendent is perfect.


Fill in the Design ________: Pick the Best Lighting for this Kitchen
4/30/13 12:26 PM

Daybeds with trundles. That way, they're twin beds when you need them to be small and bigger when you have guests.
Also, the crate and barrel leaning shelving and desk units are very functional. In fact, this is what I just gave my #1 child for her new apartment. In her case, she got the smaller bedroom. She took the daybed from her room at home, the extra pop-up trundle mattress and the crate and barrel shelving. I think she likes it.


How To Design Shared Bedroom For Two Single Ladies? Good Questions
4/26/13 12:33 PM

A lap pool in my own orangerie. Also a treehouse office with a pole to slide down.


What Crazy Things Would You Put In Your Dream Home? Buzzfeed
4/24/13 12:05 PM

Yep, what the world needs now is more background noise from reality TV shows and talking head stock salesmen on CNBC.

I'll pass.


How To Take the Home Entertainment Experience Out to the Backyard
4/23/13 12:17 PM

I use Notability. I just bought a house using it and was able to sign and initial all of the documents in the app.


How To E-Sign Documents the Easy Way
4/16/13 7:55 AM

Benjamin Moore Polo Blue? http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/poloblue
just a guess


What Color Is This House? Good Questions
4/10/13 2:55 PM

Get a small cooler or insulated tote. I bought a roomy one at Ikea. Put a couple of ice packs in it. If you don't have access to a microwave, you can go the dorm route an use the coffee maker for hot water or buy a small crock pot or hot plate.
Buy bags of salad, packages of tuna, olives, tomatoes, green beans and deli potato salad (the non creamy kind) and you have a nicoise salad. Cook the beans in the coffee maker. Dress with store bought vinaigrette.
What's really weird is that you are in a hotel without a refrigerator.


Ideas for Real Meals I Can Make in a Hotel Room? Good Questions
4/10/13 9:15 AM

I can't stand fiberglass bathtub surrounds and I'm not a fan of vanities with shelves and doors or carpet in the bathroom. My new old fixer upper house has all of these unpleasant features. I only wish I had to worry about art placement. Needless to say, it's all coming out the minute I can schedule demolition.
As for toilet paper, my butt can't tell the difference and I seriously doubt anyone has so intelligent or refined a bum that they can either. So, we buy the toilet paper with the least expensive unit cost. No one has complained yet.


Strong Feelings about Bathroom Decor
4/8/13 1:46 PM

I'm really beginning to hate visual clutter. But I'm not ready to go the sterile Dutch architect route yet. Right now, my house is definitely cozy but I'm getting ready to move soon and this stuff is history. Give me clean, uncluttered with a bit of texture and color.


Minimal vs. Cozy: Which is More \"You\"?
4/8/13 1:40 PM

Call a pest control specialist. He/she will inspect your property and set appropriate traps. It will also be necessary to close all access points so they don't get back in. Plus, if you live in an apartment complex or share a house, all access points to your neighbors' apartments will need to be sealed too.


What To Do with Mouse in the House? Good Questions
4/5/13 5:34 PM

I've heard great things about them. BUT this year, they seem to have removed the only door profile that I wanted from their lineup. I'm not a fan of slab doors or shiny finishes and I don't like the line that is created at the juncture of two stile pieces. So, as much as I wanted an Ikea kitchen, I'm afraid they've eliminated themselves from competition.
But if you like that look, go for it.


Are IKEA Kitchen Cabinets a Good Idea? Good Questions
4/2/13 12:39 PM

Speaking as an owner of not one but TWO homes, I think you're doing the right thing. Let me explain: I recently bought a foreclosed house, cash, that I intend to live in. I won't have a mortgage. Yes, it needs work and it's modest but I'm OK with that. What I'm not OK with is the house I am currently living in. Back when I was a gainfully employed professional, I remember coming home in the evening from work and realizing as I stepped over the threshhold that everything I had was actually owned by the bank and it could be taken away in an instant if I ever lost my job. Well, I lost my job and have been paying the mortgage with my savings. I've recently got an offer on it and I can't wait to be out from under this albatross because that's what it is if you don't own it outright. Oh sure, I enjoyed finishing the basement, replacing the kitchen and adding hardwood floors. But it never really belonged to me. It was only contingent, a conditional ownership as long as I was working. In other words, it was rent.
I'm sure I will get all that equity back and then some and some of that will go towards paying for my daughter's education. But I have learned my lesson. If you're going to own a house, OWN a house. Save up as much money as you can before you buy, be modest and put aside 2 years of mortgage payments in savings just in case. If you can't afford to do that, rent. You'll sleep easier.


I'm Renting...And Okay with That
3/27/13 2:24 PM

Wow, that's shallow. I never judge people on their choice of phone. Some people just don't want to be bothered by a smartphone. That's not who they are.
Otoh, as a geek, I'm fascinated by other people's toys and love to compare my gadgets. But I figure it's like a bunch of kids sitting around comparing their matchbox cars. Each one has a set of unique features and it's fun to play with them. No judgement.


Survey Says: We Think Everyone Is Staring At Our Phones
3/21/13 11:48 AM

I don't think you're using Siri correctly with reminders. I just created a reminder in one sentence just as you describe with google now and didn't have to go thru any additional steps except confirm. I'm assuming that even google now has a confirm step because otherwise you could have a cluttered list of reminders with errors that you'd have to go thru the trouble of deleting.
I can't say how much better the navigation system is with google now but I was able to get Siri to take me to destinations that didn't appear on my TomTom. So, you know, Siri doesn't exactly lose this one IMHO.


Battle of the Assistants: Google Now vs Siri
3/20/13 5:49 PM

I like it better than the runner. It's clean and modern. But I think you need better lighting.


Before & After: Jae's Brightened Basement Stairs
3/20/13 4:47 PM

ehhhh, not doin' it for me. I would have liked to see the blue cloud rug instead. The yellow rug just screams safe and predictable.


Fill in the Design _________: Bedroom Rug Reveal
3/20/13 11:08 AM