A Labour of Love's Profile

I think 2-4wks is good notice.

It is a beautiful piece, not sure if it is bow front or whether that's just the photo. Original hardware and finish will be the main things to add to it's value - don't change either. Sell it if it's not your thing but don't ruin it.

discerning: get over it! there is no comparison to stealing and it is quite a harmless story. As LoveThisSite said the store still gets a sale and if you knew how much the items are already marked up then you would realise that the store is making a lot of money already with the measly discount (it's not like she got 50% off and if she had then good on her!!). AT I love this story and I think it's a great topic!! Keep bringing them.

Since the GFC shops are working really hard to get sales and people are more savvy with their money. In Australia it is now common practice to haggle with large purchases like appliances and furniture. Most stores are open to offering discounts or matching prices from other vendors.

I vote for the Benjamin Moore china white but I would paint all your trim and ceilings, inc the wall above the picture rail in a crisp white. You need a bit of contrast between the trim and the walls because it all looks too bland. Painting the ceiling and above picture rail will freshen up and make the space feel larger.

It makes me sad. :-(

I prefer the top red out of the two but I wouldn't paint all walls that colour as it's too in-your-face. Red walls, red pool table - too much! That room looks like there is not much light, probably a lot to do with the net curtains. Our house had them in every room and I took all of them down and it made such a difference.

If it were me I would just choose a gorgeous neutral colour and let the furniture and artwork and soft furnishings bring in the colour. Find some colours that complement the red felt instead. I'm loving red and aqua right now.

Window as art is not working. Stripes are too much, with a bold statement like that maybe keep it to the right hand wall only. I think it would look better if the other wall was white seeing as you've got everything going on there - windows and the bookcase. Paint the centre panel on the bookcase too, it looks unfinished. The window seat is lovely.

Restoration will not give you back natural patina that comes with age, plus you only have 3 chairs, which is not going to be very practical.

Don't keep it if it doesn't work. I have bought things in the past that I regretted down the track. Just let go, sell it and move on. Something fabulous will come up again that you will love even more.

I lived in London for a couple of years and arranged for 4 packing boxes to be shipped back to Australia with a specialist shipping company that deals with backpackers. They advertise in places like Time Out magazine. It cost a couple hundred pounds, there's no getting around that! You said you got things for a song so what's the big deal about paying for freight, plus your items are unique so worth every cent when you get back home and can show them off with pride.

I actually think they would blend in really well, the black in the tablecloth is reflected in the seats. I would not paint the timber, it is beautiful and gives the room some needed depth. If you still don't like the seats, then reupholster them but having had cloth dining room seats for the last 10yrs, they are so unpractical. That dated look is actually very now!

dxx