mikaela's Profile

Go with what you love! :)

Thanks for the clarification -- wasn't sure if I was seeing things!

I recommend avoiding the nasty plastic barrels in the first place :) Try a recycled wooden whiskey or wine barrel, available by contacting your local distillery or winery, or through a garden supply place like Master Garden Products ( http://mastergardenproducts.com/ ).

Keep it, use it, love it! I think painting it would be a complete pita, though :)

I've used several branches in my place. I've used them like this, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/355415259/in/set-72157600228827682/, on a bunch of windows, and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/375601688/in/set-72157594510606665/ in vases.

You'll love the energy and surprise that branch brings to your home :)

Looks delicious -- count me in! :)

I took the ads down because I was getting too many emails. I have a list and added you guys to it. I'll post here if things change, but it looks like both pieces are sold. I'm truly thrilled that it's going to AT'ers who are sure to appreciate them :)

PS: Jointe, I feel your pain -- it took my almost four years before I found one. Hang in there! <3

Flippin' brilliant :)

Holy guacamole! I am *loving* everyone's thoughts and opinions. Clearly, I came to the right place :)

Like many have mentioned, number two has some unique elements that make it pop. They're almost totally unnoticeable in the original post, but can be seen clearer in the flick'r set. Actually, in the original post, they're not unnoticeable, they look detrimental. The perpendicular-grained inlay just kind of looks like stripes. In any case... Those details are making me sort of love it. And, although several of you love it too, way more of you have voted for one and three!

Without getting a pen and paper, It looks like a tie between one and three with number two getting about half as many votes. The nine-drawers on three are fab, aren't they? And number two is, as the first voter said, "simple, sleek and sexy."

I should also mention that I'm not necessarily married to the flanking chairs and artwork arrangement. They were placed before the credenza, while there was a hand-me-down in its spot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/2263025171). I can put the two extra dining chairs in the basement (along with the table leaf) and bring them upstairs, as needed. I'm thinking of placing a floor lamp on the left and plant/tree on the right. I'll probably keep white-framed original artwork (by my son) and maybe some photographs (by me), but I've been throwing around the idea of a six-piece arrangement. Who know what will go on top of the credenza. All of this, of course, is dependent on the winner, and probably belongs in another post. I'll stop rambling now :)

Sounds like the jury's still out - feel free to add more thoughts!

:) m.

* The grey wall is painted in Creek Bend by Behr.

* I'm happy to list the two dressers/credenzas (and one coordinating mirror) in the AT classifieds. Note that I'm in southeastern PA; only a couple hours from NYC, but that could make purchasing an issue for some of you :)

* briget - They are all drawers; you can see better in the flick'r set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/sets/72157603933984204/.

* clairepetrol - I will check out the article. A book recently came out that sounds as though shares the same premise; we have so many choices that it actually hampers decision-making.

* honoriag - I like the ant, too! My son made it a couple years ago for a class assignment. They read a book about a kid who killed ants, then were asked what they would do if they found an ant on the ground. He wrote on his ant, "I would pick it up and put it in the tree so no one would squish him." I guess he learned the moral of the story? :)

*michaelc - I hear what you're saying, and I promise that I will continue to look for a more dining-room-y piece after this whole mess is over. I plan on selling two of the three, and anything I make over the original investment, I will save for my next hunt. Right now though, I just can't let go of all three. I can't! :) I've been looking for a piece like these (mid-century, good condition, used, low-slung, affordable) since I moved in four years ago. Years of searching and I finally found what I was looking for. I REALLY want to keep one. Even if it's only temporary, one of these will make a better stand-in than what was there.

You guys rock! Yes, I have more pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/sets/72157603933984204/. Maybe those will help with some of the questions :)

cakekick - That's an excellent point about the condition of the back! I will definitely examine tonight.
erinores - I would love to keep more than one, and I've considered it. I've tried to come up with another workable place, but with no luck. Bummer, right? :-/
patrick(too) - Pro of #1, simplest and most compact design; pro of #2, interesting inlay, grain and angle on drawer fronts; pro of #3, roomy nine drawers and no center line. I guess there's no real "con" of any of them, except that #3 *could* be a bit too long (see the photo album for better pics). This all supports your "nominally different" point, of course ;)
vibeke - The odd number thing had totally crossed my mind, too! And, it just so happens that nine is my favorite number. Uhm... I'm not the only non-third-grader with a favorite number, am I?

Thanks so much for your thoughts - I'm feeling more clarity already!

:) m.