DC in DC's Profile

I don't think they look bad - they seem to fit the contemporary apartment style - but I agree with Pi, just remove them and leave the track for the next person. You can easily install a curtain rod and curtains, or (what I would do) find a couple of decorative tall screens that can be stacked to the right of the window - it looks dark in there, and they would add a pop of color. Then you can take them with you when you leave. Screens come in handy in small quarters!

Good list.

Wanted to add that kids love loft beds, and you double their space - leaving room for a desk and beanbag or other large items beneath, as opposed to just getting a couple of drawers more of storage.

Great roundup. I would add Home Depot to the list - every time I go there I see nice inexpensive sets of outdoor furniture that don't appear on their website. Agree with PP that Craigslist is a great resource too.

What a fantastic resource - bookmarked. Thank you!!

Some of these are ridiculously priced. The first one - $95 - could be replicated by hanging a string of beads on a wire hanger on a doorknob. And it would be safer, as there would be no large pieces of wood to potentially fall on the baby.

And why all wood - which is not flexible for storage? There are many options out there that would fit a small space better than these.

Agree with charlie26, it needn't be all or nothing. I have two little kids who do come in the bedroom and do normal kid things, but they understand that it's mommy and daddy's room and that if we ask for privacy they are to give it! If they bring toys or books in, they are responsible for taking them back out when they leave so it doesn't become a kid dumping ground. If they mess something up, they clean it up.

I love these books. I started this one with my first grade daughter back in September, and she liked it so much I bought the full set for her, which she can now read all by herself.

We live in a small pre-war house right outside DC, and the value of these books has been that our daughter really appreciates our house now. After seeing that Laura always had to share a room with one or more sisters, and that their whole family lived happily in one large (partitioned) room at times, is a great example of how little space we really need.

I love #1! What a great value. I'll use it to organize my kids' art supplies...

I'm a little puzzled at why someone would want to get out faster, to me it is fun to browse if I have the time.

Are only single people allowed to go shopping on rainy days? IKEA is happy to have families there, they spend more money as there are more people to shop for...

Hi, Crate and Barrel has a ton of options and I'll bet you could pick four and have them packaged/wrapped together: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=mug
The Merimekko ones are gorgeous!

I like the idea of Etsy too but getting something handmade and having it shipped may take more time than you have if you need to get it by Christmas.