Spotsalots's Profile

Practical, yes, but often claustrophobic. I'd go for the second-to-last one though. Lots of visual interest (manages not to look too monochromatic, too) and the wide counters keep it from looking cramped and like a narrow canyon. Also looks like it has plenty of good storage space, which is surprisingly hard to find.

The red one is great as is (unless the upholstery is in bad shape). I know what you mean about the Eames chair... my parents have one (originally two but one was ruined by movers) and while we love it visually, no one ever sits on it. Too hard to get in and out of it. Take your time deciding what works for you aesthetically and practically.

That link to the London bathroom is stunning! Impractical (unless there's a drain somewhere in the floor) but gorgeous.

Wish I'd found that bookcase! I just finished oiling a similar four-shelf unit that cost me (if I remember correctly) $200 at a second-hand shop 15 years ago. They're great, really keep dust (and inquisitive pets) out of the books.

All a matter of preference, I guess. Now that I've been to a few higher-end hotels, my reaction has been that they've generally been a lot worse designed than the average Motel 6 bathroom of say 1970 (let alone today's Motel 6 bathrooms). No ventilation fans, no place to hang damp towels, counters that make you afraid you'll knock things into the toilet... Yeah, that's great when you're at a conference sharing the room with at least one other person. But in terms of the objects, white towels are terribly impractical unless you want to bleach them. White tile? Don't color your hair or use much makeup or it'll stain that tile. And I always think of shower doors as very low-end and ugly compared to a good curtain. But it's all a matter of how you do these things. Done well, in the right household, these are ok suggestions.

Lovely photos! However, while I often like black in a bathroom, in most of the photos the tile looks dark blue and actually I think those photos are the most appealing of the lot. The glowing lamp really makes the "blue" stunning.

I like the bottom four, but have to agree they would be insanely hard to maintain. Personally I find it hard enough to keep regular lampshades clean, and I always wonder how people who buy little baskets to store their things (instead of regular chests of drawers) feel about the constant dust accumulation. Indeed, I could go on and on about things that look nice enough the first week but then get filthy right away.

Rabbits in this apartment. (One is currently lounging in the bathroom doorway where she can keep an eye on me.) Rabbit-proofing depends a bit on the individual rabbit (usually the older the rabbit, the less rabbit-proofing necessary, plus the rabbits should be spayed/neutered). It's always wise to cover all cords with aquarium tubing or some other stuff they don't like. Some rabbits chew on other things, some don't; some dig at the carpeting, others don't. Plenty of petting and suitable toys keep most rabbits content enough to keep out of very much trouble. But they're smart and curious, so they like to investigate closets, bedding, laundry, the kitchen trash, etc. No vomiting, though.

I'm always amazed that the 6-months or 1-year idea for clothes actually works for anyone. Annalyssa points out 6 months is impractical in places that have extreme climate differences between winter and summer, and that's certainly true, but there's also the issue of needing different types of clothing for different segments of life. Maybe most people lead less varied lives than I have, or have lived in/regularly visit fewer climates.

For example, there have been times in my life when I could easily wear a suit to work every day, and times when I could go years without needing one. (Right now I need one a few times a year for conferences, but conferences take place in all seasons in quite a few parts of the country.) I wouldn't dream of getting rid of a suit unless I thought it was one I could never wear again.

Or T shirts. Sometimes I live in them. They're great for summer in the San Francisco area (with a sweater as backup), and when I'm self-employed or doing grubby tasks. When I moved east, I found it was usually either too hot or too cold for T shirts, but all of a sudden I needed sleeveless tops for summer. But I normally spend part of the summer back in the Bay Area wearing T shirts and long-sleeved shirts that are too hot to wear in the east.

I find it much more practical to keep clothes until they either wear out (when I get upset because I can't find the same thing to replace them with) or it becomes clear I'll never fit into them again or that they were a mistake to buy in the first place. I vote for buying clothes that are either infinitely practical or that a person just adores and will wear at least now and then for 10-20 years. (Fashion is fun but trendiness is idiotic.)

Of course, a person still has to find a way to store the clothes... but that's a problem for everyone but the most minimalist among us.

While I'm not wild about it, I think some of the previous comments have been awfully harsh. The space does have potential, and it looks much nicer than a lot of college students' (and post-college adults') abodes. The average student of twenty or so shouldn't be spending a lot of time and money buying or scavenging furniture, he or she should be studying and maybe falling in love.