harlie's Profile

Unfortunately, I'm not loving the layout of the new redesign. I'm good with minimalist web design, but this is badly done--it feels cold and unwelcoming.

There are several problems that jump off the screen. Starting with the small problems, the fonts in the menu don't coordinate with the main body of the page. Plus, the color seems to have been drained out of the site--it lacks warmth and interest despite the photos in each post. The menus and ads crowd the blog content and the page is just too dense (it has no breathing space which is as important in web layout as it is in your home layout). However, what bothers me the most is that, visually, the blog content seems to have been reduced in order to make the ads become more of a focus--they're the first thing I notice when I open the site. I'm sure this makes your advertisers happy, but it's a major turn-off for me as a user.

I'm also sad to see that the names of each site have been changed. "Unplggd" and "Re-Nest" had grown to become more than just "Tech" or "DIY"; "OhDeeDoh" had a playfulness that "Family" lacks." Every home design site has the same old categories, but the fun names used to distinguish AT from the pack. For instance, "OhDeeDoh" is a name that is well-known by moms in my area (and generally used in a compliment such as "That's good enough to be on OhDeeDoh!"). While I realize you may want AT to be household name, it's a shame that you're throwing away what name recognition you're already achieved.

Regardless, with the current site design (names notwithstanding), I no longer feel compelled to check in (nearly) daily--I may only come back once or twice more to see if any improvements have made the site more welcoming.

We did something similar to AmberM. When we went to our first OB appointment just before Christmas, our doctor performed a sonogram and gave us a copy. We asked if we could get extra copies, which he happily supplied. We framed the sonogram images with a little note saying "Merry Christmas, Grandma & Grandpa! Love Baby Smith." Our parents loved it and seeing them light up was the best part of our Christmas vacation.

m1n4, I think that's a wonderful idea! I'm stealing it (once I have kids old enough for that project, that is).

Wow, if you think any of those have too much booze, you'd say my husband and I are complete lushes. We use a secretary desk as our bar and it's more or less packed (it holds more than what you see in #8)...and that doesn't include my husband's wine collection. We have all the staples and a good selection of our personal favorites which allows us to always have the ability to make almost any drink a guest might want. Most of those bars don't work if you want more than a very limited offering.

I'd love #1 and disagree with it's being overstuffed, but that's a matter of taste. It's lovely and airy--makes me want to pour a glass of wine and snag a piece of that bread.

Anyone have any idea where those chandeliers are from? I know I'm not the only one who would love to get one (or two, or three).

I'm all for sitting on exercise balls (lots of people here use them), but this gadget has always puzzled me.The purpose of sitting on an exercise ball is that it makes your core muscles work harder to balance and not roll. The chair base helps stabilize the ball and defeats that purpose. At the very least, it lessens that benefit.

rmhct, you didn't dream that. It's called The Impossible Project. I believe they've made some positive progress.

http://www.the-impossible-project.com/

Two 12x12 tiles won't get you a 24x24 surface--you need four to get a work surface that big. With two, you'll only get a 12x24 surface.

Anyhow, I lucked out with this. My husband and I were on a walk when we found ~20 whole, still-packed white marble tiles set out for trash collection! My husband and I ran home for the car and brought those bad boys home. I cleaned up a few and put some felt lining on the bottom for use during parties. The rest we set aside to top a table my father-in-law is building for us.

Oh dear. I love the photos in general, but that second one gives the Californian in me shivers. One nighttime earthquake and you'd be done for.

I would hazard a guess that these people don't cook. Ever. I just can't relate to that.