kwp-DC's Profile

Display Name: kwp-DC
Member Since: 2/10/11

Latest Comments...

I have the same problem. I tried leaving the door open (not effective), facing a box fan to blow air out of the bathroom (a pain to do every time), and taking cooler, shorter showers (just not gonna happen in this household). I bought a small dehumidifier, which didn't work at all. Finally bought a full-sized dehumidifier, which works well. I turn it on before a shower, and leave it on for several minutes after each shower. Occasionally, I run it overnight. It's a huge appliance for a small bathroom, but has worked really well.

I also traded my cotton towels for bamboo ones, which dry faster, and I no longer have smelly towels.


How To Rid Window-less, Fan-less Bathroom of Mold & Mildew? Good Questions
4/22/13 1:24 PM

No light in the shower, so we have to use a clear shower curtain to allow some light in.

No fan in the bathroom. I finally bought a full-sized dehumidifier; the smaller ones weren't cutting it. Less moisture, but one big object on the floor to maneuver around.

Everything looks fairly institutional (mirror, tile). We own the place, but the bathroom is not the financial priority. I'm not particularly crafty to make modifications, and a little scared to pull that mirror off the wall.

2 people + 2 cats in 1 bathroom (the litter box is there) means that the floors need vacuuming every day. I bought a dust-buster to live in the bathroom, but it's so weak I could get the full-sized vacuum out of the closet and vacuum in less time.

I really hate cleaning the bathroom. I really wish some entrepreneur would start a cleaning service that does only bathrooms for $20. They could target apartment buildings, to reduce traveling time, and could clean a bunch of bathrooms in short order. I don't pay for a cleaning service, but I would absolutely pay $20/week to have someone else clean the bathroom. Please, someone take my idea! And start it in DC!


Your Biggest & Smallest Bathroom Problems??
2013 Reader Forum
1/3/13 12:22 PM

I use blackout shades because of street lights, but I wish I could wake up to natural light from my huge windows. I'm sure there are expensive electronic shades I could put on a timer, but I don't have any budget-friendly solutions.

Also, even if we close the door we can hear the cat meowing pitifully at 5AM.

We use separate duvets (due to preferred sleeping temperatures), so we only need a fitted sheet, but sheets sold separately are never as cute as sets.

We have a 3-inch foam mattress, so need a platform bed. But most platform beds are incredibly low to the ground. I want a platform bed that's much higher (a) for under-bed storage and (b) to keep my head away from the ground (dust allergies being the reason for the foam mattress in the first place).


Your Biggest & Smallest Bedroom Problems??
2013 Reader Forum
1/3/13 12:08 PM

We use a 3" latex cover as our entire mattress. We had it resting on some doors laid flat on our frame, but the doors have started to get creaky - need a new solution! A bunky board might be it, but I'm wondering about this "breathing" thing that mattresses need to do. Is that for the mattress or the people?

Anyone have suggestions for breathable material to go between 3 inches of foam and a frame with springs? Slats move around too much, if we have nothing in between, we feel the springs. I'm considering pegboard.


Do You Use Bunky Boards?
8/1/12 1:34 PM

I have been wanting one of these for years! A Giveaway is the only way I'm getting one, though.


Win This ModKat Litter Box from Pet | Modern!
Holiday Giveaway 2011
12/2/11 1:12 PM

I did paint the piano! It was a free Craigslist piano, covered in chipping veneer. The paint gave it new life. However, it's not a great paint job. It's different than furniture - because it's veneer, I couldn't strip it, so I painted a few coats of primer, then 3 coats of yellow. It's tricky around the keys, and I probably should have followed up with something to seal the paint.

The artsy pics were designed to be functional, actually - I had a hard time fitting everything into the frame! The big leaf canvas is just a huge piece of Merimekko fabric, stretched over a frame. It serves as a short room divider, so that you can't see the computer workspace from the bed. The room still looks very open, but the view from the bed is uncluttered. I'll try to get better photos next year!

Thanks so much for your comments! I really love getting the feedback.

- one of the Ks


K & K's Creative Space
4/27/11 9:59 AM

Thanks, everyone! I'm always open to furniture-moving suggestions. I rearrange furniture as a hobby. :)

The gray chair fabric is from IKEA.
The pendant lamp is a discontinued style from Viva Terra. I would buy another one if it ever came back. If anyone finds an alternate source, I'd love to hear about it.
My brother made the piano bench!

And about the cats: I've tried to keep them off the counters and table, but we all know that when the humans are asleep or gone, the cats run the place. I just clean surfaces before I use them. They don't seem to think the place is too small: they can quite happily chase each other along the wall of windows.
The litter boxes are in the bathroom. I'm daydreaming about a box-hiding contraption but for now, there are just 2 top-entry boxes along the bathroom wall.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!


K & K's Creative Space
4/26/11 9:42 AM

I find something inherently satisfying about having everything within easy reach, keeping only what I need and love, and always being within talking distance of my husband. We can be focused on separate activities, but never isolated. I also like being forced to re-think the things I used to assume I needed.

Bonus extras:
cleaning 500 sq. ft. is so easy
modular furniture is cool and fun
changing a few things makes the whole place look fresh


Why Do You Live Small?
4/6/11 12:03 PM