bindy's Profile

Not in my home, no, but I do host a bimonthly salon in a local pub! It's great fun!

It says a lot about a "community" (and I use that word loosely here) when people get up in arms about someone saying 'children' as a way of feeling like you've grown up, but can't even see the inherent classism of their own visions, which are almost exclusively related ot material affluence (having a guest room? Really? I guess I'll never grow up, then).

Get over it, folks. Children were what made that person feel grown up. Other people feel grown up when they get a cat or a dog.

The anti-children bias all over this site is both illuminating and amusing.

Grow up.

Ahh! the quintessential Dutch black and white linonleum floor! How I've missed it. And carting everything on a bike - the Dutch put EVERYTHING on a bike. Bookshelves, beds, you name it and it comes along. Love the colours and the energy.

seriously? this is a concern?

Well, maybe those who like 'neutrals' might want to consider the feelings of those who find 'neutral' offensive. There's nothing worse than a beige house, in my opinion. There's nothing 'neutral' about it. It's just ugly, plain and simple. But that's my take. If it's someone's favourite colour, then it's their favourite colour.

Houses should radiate energy and joy. And everyone's energy and joy is different. Let's embrace the diversity that's out there, let's play with the 'chaos' of colours that might result, and maybe we'll all get to know our neighbours a bit better.

But then again, I live here, in one of the most colourful cities in the world:
http://gregpike.ca/interest/beautiful-downtown-st-johns-newfoundland-labrador/

i'll add that we both like fun and whimsy in our house. but both of us like our budget more than we like our 'stuff' and so we're both willing to bend, as long as fun and whimsy win out. Colour and lots of it. that's our basic mantra. we break most 'rules' but most of our guests like it.

EEKNS, that's quite a moralistic statement to be making. If we really want to 'live within the means of our planet' we wouldn't be reading apartment therapy with its constant push to 'update' things that are all actually perfectly in working condition, but dated, or buy new products, etc. the whole site is about consumption, just gussied up under the theme of 'we need to live smaller'. And yet, most of the homes featured here are for couples living in 1200 sq. feet (or single people living in 600 sq. feet). And all these houses are filled with 'stuff' that people ooh and ahh over. This family will have five people in it. multiply 600 by 5 and you get 3000. So why the moral superiority?

amsterdam's (outdoor) black contrasts mostly marvelously with the jewel tones of tulips. and now, 'tis the season. Oh, I wish I could visit that great city again. It's been 15 years. much too long.

when we lived in The Netherlands as students we'd buy the cheapest toilet paper: it was completely grey. think something between newsprint and conventional white toilet paper. Worked fine. Knip brand. ahhh the memories!

don't even *think* of bringing me a potted orchid unless you think that willing me a month of sneezing, wheezing and coughing is a good christmas present. The things are HORRIBLE for my allergies, even if they are beautiful to look at.

I think of this every time someone says "make your home a haven of calm; and white is the best way to ensure that"... and then I look around our colour filled house and I smile. Yellow, red, blue, turquoise, pink, orange, splashes of colour, bold swathes of colour. Nope. none of it would win a single design competition. And most of the anti-Ikea folks would sniff and turn up their noses. But it's a happy making house. And every time I'm in it, I am reminded of why I love it so. It brings me peace, joy, and wonder. And that's what matters.