Serena Edwards's Profile

This used to be a common gift in the US. When I and every subsequent baby was born, my grandfather sent a layette (what you call a baby box). He was from TX, and definitely not Finnish. And from what I was told, it wasn't unusual during the Great Depression to keep a newborn in a dresser drawer if you lacked a bassinet or crib. I'm trying to figure out why anyone thinks the government should give this stuff to anyone at all? It's just stuff young mothers used to do for one another by sharing baby gear back and forth as needed. A better question would be why mothers are isolating themselves from one another?

I also have a studio, except mine is all windows and balcony down the long wall. I like natural light and I detest tiny rooms, so no divider. Here are some tricks you can use: If the flooring color is relatively light, match the walls to that as precisely as you can. It will make the walls recede even further. Don't use a regular bed - get a queen-size murphy bed instead. The cabinetry can include storage space and be any finish you like. Doors can also be mirrored to give even more light and space. Install this on the kitchen side - you don't want anyone who comes to the door walking right into your bedroom! Mount your flatscreen where you can see it easily from bed or the sofa. Go with a sleeper for guests. They won't stay long, but you'll want to make them comfortable. A cast aluminum bistro table and chairs will withstand the elements on the balcony perfectly, and also work indoors. Place the sofa inward from the long wall so that there is room for your desk behind it - that way, you can see the tube while sitting or working. Storage ottomans will give you more seating and places for stuff. The only other thing I would suggest is that either your bistro table be large-ish if there is room on the balcony, or else consider concealing a larger fold-down table behind some artwork. You'll be wanting more workspace, definitely! And maybe you can paint 'anywhere'...but doing art is a messy proposition and it needs space. Consider floating ledge shelves for the long wall on the kitchen side for allowing work to dry or be displayed. Believe me - there's this huge temptation to do large pieces when that big blank wall is staring you down, but you'll want to do more and you'll need the space for it all!

Yes! If you don't want them, I'll take them. The neat thing about mirrors of any kind is that they are instantly whatever color or pattern you choose for them to reflect. Or, for that matter, whatever light you want reflected. You could even stack them. Or, use them to hide cords or cables while reflecting more attractive portions of your home. Or, combine them with radically opposing antique elements to show off your very eclecticism. In general, they only look like mirrors until you place them where they will reflect the image of something else. That's why magicians love them, and that's why I love them too.

Don't kid yourself - 'only during the day' assumes that everyone else keeps the same hours as you. And by the time they have to come talk to you about it? They're already p***ed. That's what makes some revenge blasting desirable at times.

Sometimes, all it takes is moving a subwoofer away from a wall and using the equalizer to balance it better. Getting a bass freak to suddenly hear better is nigh unto impossible, but you can try...

Line or color. Always. You can use either or both to tie a room together. So you can mix the metals (or any other color). But either repeat the combination as suggested with the frames, or else repeat the shape/pattern of the table a couple of other places in the room.

The tile by itself is a cool retro look. That tile is dramatic. Don't try to overpower it with contrast, as with white or any other color. It's NOT going away, and any attempt to do so will just make your eyes burn when you walk in there. Go softly into that good loo!

Pull the upper cabinet as suggested. I like the gray idea for the lower cabinet. And even for the wall, providing you make sure it's a very soft gray with green undertones, not blue. Lose the box, add a fern to justify the greens, and some little fufu picture or ornament - anything you like, just to provide proof that there is life after 1966 - so something modern and not antique. Soft gray again for the towels.

The countertop is corian? so cool. If it has any marks or stains, they can be polished right out!
Unpainted corian will last forever.

Updated brushed nicked hardware to reflect the palette and mimic your grays and pick up just the right shades from them, and you're done. No strain on your budget at all, tile accepted with calm grace. Or grays, if you prefer.

I'm with the read or peacock. Just choose a shade of red that does NOT match any of the red in the bricks, or it will lose its impact.

I don't like the yellow idea with the black shutters. It's like a giant bumble bee went splat on your house.