kateln's Profile

I'd advise strongly against buying the very first lamp (West Elm Perch Glass Lamp). It's extremely lightweight and for a glass lamp: DANGER. I had it less than 2 weeks before it was tapped lightly (and I mean lightly - with a pillow), fell off the table and shattered in to many, many pieces. Glass lamps need a very sturdy base.

I love it.... but how do you make the bed?!

Love the windows, built-ins and the adorable fire places.

LOVE how bright and airy it feels, and really love the muted blues and tones that are tied together throughout and the rustic features added to a modern place - nice touch! This place does not at all feel nearly as small as it is. Just beautiful. I really love the surf board too - my boyfriend has been trying to convince me that surfboards can be art and so far I've been resisting, but you may have just changed my mind...

Just as I was marveling at how functional this place is, I read that you custom built your built-ins. Very impressive. Then I realized that there are TWO OF YOU LIVING THERE. Beyond incredible. I am so impressed on so many levels I can't even begin to tell you. I'm with Sassyladie, this definitely exemplifies small cool in just about every way.

This is great timing as I was debating this myself over the past several weeks. I'm horrible with plants so I never buy them, but I was given a beautiful terrarium for Christmas. Amazingly, it's done very well (thanks to my VERY sunny south facing windowsill) and it has quickly outgrown its globe. My sister told me it needed to be re-potted, so I debated trying to do it myself. Rather than buy all the materials for just one potting job, I decided to take it to a local nursery and have them do it for me (also since it was overgrown I knew it'd be difficult to remove safely and replant). I'm SO glad I did. Apparently, the type of succulent I have was supposed to be planted with just a little bit of soil - its roots like to be more tightly packed in, rather than loosely planted as it was in the terrarium. For $6 they re-potted it for me in a much smaller pot and now it's growing beautifully. So when you're thinking about making a terrarium, don't just think about what sort of pot or globe you want, also think about the plant you'll be getting and do you research! Make sure it'll live happily in there. Also, I've bought a terrarium from West Elm and I was incredibly disappointed with their product. The glass had scratches on it and it broke very easily (something fell on it, but it wasn't anything sharp or heavy). I'd avoid.

I've moved every year for the past ten years. At first it was living in college, so moving each year is expected. But moving to Washington DC after college, there is such a high turnover in this city and housing is constantly in demand, nearly everyone in their 20s is constantly on the move. I really love the place I'm living now, but I'll move before I reach two years there - this time, to a new city.

I feel like this varies a lot depending on where you live. I live in downtown Washington D.C., so my biggest perks are free laundry, a free spot to park my scooter in the garage, all utilities included and a front desk that is staffed around the clock. I live in a co-op building, so all maintenance is taken care of. The neighborhood I live in, homes and apartments sell for outrageous amounts, and the upkeep is often astronomical because many of the homes are historic. I don't have to worry about any of those things and my costs are relatively low (all things considered).

I'm with VERILY. People interpret others very differently. However, do consider what she said and do a bit more research. Also consider that if you do take the apartment and it turns out that this neighbor is a creep, are you willing to live with that situation? You are now in control of your situation, later on, you may not be.

No need to replace the cabinets! Those are probably my favorite next to the appliances. It feels a bit dark because of your flooring and your counters, I'd start with a bring rug, look in to a beige or something lighter colored (but not TOO light) jute-type of material that will resist a lot of stains. I agree, look in to backsplash (this can be done very cheaply if you do it right!) and/or paint the walls a bright or even a neutral gray color! Then you can really make everything bright with some wonderful color accents throughout the kitchen. Look for some great window treatments and some art or something to hang over the sink, like a pot rack or something of the sort. Also switch out the cabinet hardware if you're not thrilled with the cabinets - it may make a huge difference.