Spacesha's Profile

I wonder if you hang a rod or wire mount from the ceiling perpendicular from the narrow wall where you've got that little ornament? Perhaps a heavyweight velvet or other more weather/stain resistant option. You could mount a tie back for it so it drapes nicely. Even though it wouldn't completely cover the stairwell area, the thicker fabric would block the opening and absorb a significant portion of the chill.

In the warmer weather, you could swap it out for a muslin or other decorative sheer so the curtain rod/wire doesn't look empty.

For the stairwell, you could weave a decorative fabric between the spindles to insulate. If you knit, perhaps an extra long 'scarf' would look interesting woven in there. It could be a wintery decorative touch. If you're into holiday decor, maybe some evergreen boughs?

These aren't fantastic solutions, sorry! I agree, you do have a tough angle to contend with. I'm interested to see some more suggestions too, I have a similar entryway.

Good luck!

One day per week to devote entirely to fussing around my craft space...Maybe if I put it on the calendar it will come to be. Here's to hoping!

Folks here are critical of a house-sitter thinking about a space they're inhabiting???

Goodness, I do this in EVERY house I visit. Homes of friends, family, strangers, you name it. I'm mentally decorating, rearranging furniture or admiring great storage solutions all over the place. Mostly I keep my thoughts to myself and take notes for future projects, but sometimes I offer a suggestion if I feel the person will be receptive.

Am I the only one who does this? Are we AT readers not interested in interior spaces and how their beauty and functionality affect our lives?

It seems to me that this house-sitter was only making observations. Who of us hasn't been in a space that felt peculiarly unwelcoming? If that was the case wouldn't all decorators, designers, space planners, and organizers be out of work?

I'm especially offended by the assumption (JDBUENGER) that a house-sitter must not also be a home-owner. Like home-owners are some elite class that wouldn't dream of stooping so low to care for another home? Are you kidding?

My jaw is on the floor with the arrogance I'm reading here in the comments. I had no idea this was the type of 'community' AT fostered.

What about plants? Some tidy succulents in white ceramic rectangular trays would really bring some life into that spot. Most varieties won't mind the extra fireplace heat.

My aunt and uncle had a McMansion (compared to my own small 1860s home). I once counted that they had 12 sinks and thought that was the epitome of luxury.

For an easier version of the fabric circles one, you could get a 2" hole punch and make the circles out of paper and glue them onto ribbons. I love that this one has so many interesting patterns and colors.

However, I have the 10 photo wire mobile and I love it. I've switched it up a bunch of times in the past year. Starting with black and white images, then some pastel birds, and now hot air balloons. I even dangled a bunch of lightweight toys and ornaments from it over the holidays. It's incredibly versatile. You could even do the fabric or paper pattern circles from it too.

As your baby grows up you could make the mobile match whatever they're little hearts are into at that moment... penguins, cars, spatulas, unicorns, glitter, kittens, school busses, baseball, whatever!

Rose123: you could set up a "pot" where you both contribute a set amount each month. From that pot you pay for joint items like TP, ziplocs, or beer!

Oh, this literally made me gasp. It's gorgeous. Very well done. You must sleep with your fingers caressing the tufts.

One of my favorite painting apps is Doodle Buddy (for iPad, iPod and iPhone) and it's free. I think the audience might be kind of kid-focused, but I've seen some amazing drawings and paintings produced with the smudge tool especially.

It has adjustable sizes of regular paintbrushes, glitter, chalk, text, stencils, smudge tools, etc. There are also lots of rubber stamps for kids with associated cute sounds. The iPad version is the best if you ask me. For free, you can't beat it.

My 1 year old absolutely adores the Joovy Tricycoo (we have it in orange of course). It's convertible to grow with him, just remove the push handle and the seat surround. His 3 year old friend could even fit into it in the same setting. Pedals can be locked so they won't spin and whack his feet. It's plastic, but the orange/gray still looks pretty in my living room. (http://www.joovy.com/c-64-tricycoo.aspx)