ecochic's Profile

This might sound crazy, but put the litter box (and the extra bag of litter, tucked in a bucket), in the shower. It's out of the way and not an eyesore, but kitty can access it. When you need to shower, just lift the box and bucket out of the shower and put them on the bathroom floor. When you finish showering, put them right back in. You only shower for 15 minutes a day anyway, and that shower takes up a lot of space that could be multi-purposed.

You could always ask the seller to give $5k (or some other reasonable amount) in compensation to cover the cost of removing the siding and having it replaced. Even if you don't do anything with it now, you could take the $5k and put it in an account and when the time comes that the siding is damaged and dangerous, you'll have the funds to do a replacement. Or, you could just buy the house and know that it's something that you may eventually have to do something about. Or, you can bypass. Just know that asbestos is everywhere. In older buildings, you'll find it insulating pipes, in tiles, on siding, etc. You can't escape asbestos. You can only manage it.

I'd put the bed perpendicular to where you have it now (so along the wall with the couch) and not worry about having a room divider, because it'll steal your light. Then, if you don't already have a bed with storage underneath, I'd buy rolling drawers that go underneath. If you have a queen size bed, you can get drawers for either side. I'd leave the couch and TV pretty much where they are. Put your dresser where the bikes currently are (which will make the dresser opposite the new bed location. Get some stools for your island. For the bikes, you could use the nook next to your couch (where there's a Staples box in the photo), and get one of the poles that you can hang your bike on. OR, if you feel like using your bike as a decorative piece, you could hang it flat on the wall above your couch. The desk can stay where it is, or go on the long wall and break up the space between your newly located dresser(!) and TV.

My in-laws are the most complimentary folks around. Every time they come over (which is about once a month, because they live close by), they always find the small changes we've made and lavish praise. My mother, however, is the nit-picky one. When my parents (who live several hours away) planned to visit I went crazy, searching for a comfortable guest bed and linens and the whole shebang. When my FIL asked my mother what she thought of our place and the guest room (which he knew we'd worked hard to get in order) her response was simply, "The sheets were scratchy." All that work, and she complained because the Ralph Lauren 300+ thread count sheets we bought specifically because I know she'd approve, were too scratchy. We hadn't washed them enough (we'd only just bought them and washed them once) for them to be comfy enough for her yet. Womp womp.

But I digress. Congratulations on your seal of approval! I think a house tour is in order!

I absolutely second this recommendation! Beds with storage underneath are so key. The IKEA platform beds tend to be lower to the floor, but without actually being on the floor and allowing for a place to stash clothes, supplies, just about anything. If you don't want to have to buy a whole new bed, IKEA also sells underbed drawers separately. You can unloft your bed and just buy the drawers if that suits you better. I'd also suggest making sure to take full advantage of vertical space in your closet and even in any furniture.

I can't imagine she's on the treadmill for more than 30-60 minutes per day. Maybe you could chat with her about a schedule for using the treadmill or at least agree to "no treadmill before 6am or after 9pm" (or something like that) . Also, I'd definitely ask her if she wouldn't mind getting the rubber mats that go under workout machines to help reduce the noise. Not only will it help keep the noise down, but it will protect her floor and her apartment as well. If your walls are shaking, hers are too. She'll want to limit the noise and vibration just as much as you do. If all else fails, talk to the management company. They have a vested interest in keeping all of their tenants happy. You're not the only one who hears the noise or feels the vibration. They may also require her to put down rubber mats to protect the floor.

If you haven't already purchased the IKEA Hemnes daybed, you might want to rethink that purchase. We have one in our guest room and while it's surprisingly comfortable for sleeping (or so we've heard!), when it folds up, it's so deep that it's not very couch-y. I think that a wooden futon with a nice, thick mattress would be a better choice. The futon can serve as both bed and couch and use can use a cedar chest (or similar nice-looking trunk) as both a coffee table and place to store sheets, blankets and pillows. I'd also recommend getting a small pedestal table and 2 chairs to put just beside the kitchen area and centering a larger piece of art behind it on the wall. Having a "real" place to eat - especially if you have a friend over for dinner - is the "grown up" thing to do, and will look really nice. In terms of decorating touches, hang curtains (up high!) that go all the way to the floor, and put them on nicer metal or wooden rods. Buy a few plants too. It'll feel like a grown-up's house in no time!

Looks great! I live in Parkfairfax and love going to the plant sale. I've read about the county classes on making the rain barrels and was intrigued, but Parkfairfax doesn't (yet) allow them. Boo! I'm jealous of all your "personal" green space. We have tons of green space, but most of it's community space, so not plantable. I'd love to do an edible garden.

Great place! This is totally creepster of me, but the second I saw the first photo I thought "We looked at buying a home in that development!" Knowing exactly what the units look like there, I can attest you've done a great job. I wish we could see the patio that you highlighted in your description.

Ha! My sister has the cow painting that's in the living room. I thought she was crazy for buying it (she got it in TX when stationed there, I think). It looks really good in your space, though!