Trollopian's Profile

p.s. Is that a cat I see under the table? Keep the cat.

I like apartment living (true, not the same thing as "small space" living, but often a corollary!) for most of the reasons listed here, and a couple more. First, I feel safer. There's just one entry, and my building's front desk keeps an eye on visitors. Second, a little perk: I can take out the trash anytime. If you live in a big house you have to wait for that once- or twice-a-week pickup, and what do you do when you're heading out of town or the sanitation department's schedule otherwise doesn't mesh with yours? Third, in an apartment building you can always find someone to feed your cat when you travel.

Apartment living is civilized.

What a lovely home, but I have an architectural question: is this truly a "bungalow"? There's just one exterior shot, and it looks like a rambler or ranch. (The term "ranch-style bungalow" sounds, well, confused.) A true bungalow is defined by a deep overhang over one or more verandahs; the style is typically one - or one-and-a-half stories with dormer windows on top. It's a pet peeve of mine that HGTV always misuses the term apparently to refer to any small house that's older and "cozy."

I live alone (with a cat) in 800 s.f. and could do with less...like Eliza Doolittle, "All I want is a room somewhere!" I could afford more. Less is liberating.

A close friend has lived in the same place since 1975, without a good clean-out. As her 1,100 s.f. unit grew too small for her stuff, she "annexed" the condo next door, putting her at about 1,600 s.f. That's her prerogative, and yes, she clearly derives pleasure from her home. But she also has a huge amount of money tied up in it, which crimps her other luxuries, especially travel. The way I look at it, she's paying a great deal to store...stuff.

This article starts from the premise "would we live in a bigger place if we won the lottery?" It's a nice fantasy, but in the meantime, most of us have to make tradeoffs. Living well in a small space that I can "lock and leave" for a travel adventure is my pick.

Love the boneless baby and the camera-philic pup.

Please, what we're discussing is how (and whether) to get the fitted sheet to LIE flat in our linen closets. Not "lay."

(I learned both sheet-folding and grammar as a kid.)

Count me among those who don’t care for the renovation, but if the client is happy, that’s what counts. And Jarret’s post in response to some pretty vituperative criticism is gracious. But there are at least three things I would’ve done very differently. First, too many curtains. The fact that there are draperies both at the window and screening off the bed is a major reason the place gives off a “feminine” vibe. And unless that A/C has been relocated (an expensive change), you can’t close the drapes in summer, not without blocking the air flow. What about some nice tailored blinds instead? Second, impractical coffee table (and not just for aesthetic reasons). In a small place like this, storage is precious. Instead of that coffee table I would’ve used a wicker or leather trunk for textural interest plus storage. (Though I understand the client eventually chose an adjustable-height table.) Third, wrong “art.” Instead of that big but monochromatic floral work above the sofa I would’ve hung a fabulous mirror. One that’s interesting in itself and that would bounce the light and the views around. Just my two cents worth. But I wish the client many happy evenings at home enjoying that fabulous view.

It's interesting that not a single one of these closets appears to store any full-length coats. Just jackets. So they exaggerate the amount of shelving or other "horizontal" storage that can fit below or above the hanging coats. Just sayin'.

While this apartment has breathtakingly beautiful bones, I find all the modern, "minimalist" furniture jarring. No, I'm not arguing for ponderous antiques. But the sources listed were overwhelmingly mass-market (viz. IKEA). Just one item, the Danish sideboard, came from a vintage furniture store. I ache to see furniture and accessories in here that'd be more in character with this lovely apartment's age and scale. Sorry, but I'm among several readers who see the apartment as beautiful but cold...and I don't think the "cold" stems from the white walls.

I grew up in the 'burbs, dependent on my folks to drive me anywhere. And even from a very young age I felt like a prisoner. No thanks. It's the city for me....first to Pittsburgh for college, now in Washington DC. Even though I'm old and prosperous enough to have a car, that feeling of liberation that comes from being able to walk or take transit persists. Sure I spend some weekends "vegging" and failing to take advantage of the city's offerings. That's okay. Life's a banquet but you don't have to eat everything.