MizInformation's Profile

Lots of good suggestions here, but could be overwhelming. Start with one area first. I suggest the home office. The desk is nicely functional, but the openness of it leaves so much clutter. Could you replace it with something with drawers and doors, so you could close it up when entertaining or wanting some "just at home" time? Getting items off of surfaces and behind doors does so much to de-clutter a space. New office armoires are expensive, so consider re-purposing a media cabinet or other piece simply by installing a pull-out computer keyboard tray. Doors closed: office closed!

Instead of hand sanitizer or lysol (um, ew), I use alcohol preps. They're 1-inch individually-foil-wrapped pads soaked in alcohol used by diabetics and other users of injectable drugs. Super cheap -- like 200 for $2 at most pharmacies. Alcohol is the simplest and best antimicrobial out there. Plus, because it's not a "liquid," it doesn't take up room in the quart-sized bag. Just don't (like me) forget you have one in your pocket when you go through security -- there's enough metal in the tiny foil packet to set off the detector.

Great room! White walls and white cabs would be too monotone for me. I agree on the bold piece of art: Get it first, and then use it as inspiration for other small touches throughout the room. Pick one color out of it to be your "featured color" (for bench cushions, etc.), and paint the wall behind the art a bold contrasting color. Get new bench cushions in the featured color. Ditch the blinds (they always look sad to me) and get a window treatment to coordinate with the featured color. If you like the "open" shelving look in kitchens, take the doors off the cab to the right of the sink and paint the inside the featured color, then display your prettiest glassware and dishes. I wouldn't enjoy the view into the garage, but curtains can be too froo-froo; you could frost the window with window etching cream, or use acrylic paint to create a fun graphic "stained glass" look (and acrylic paint comes off easily with a razor blade, so can you undo it later). Personally, I wouldn't get new appliances yet -- the white is fine, you may want a completely different layout in your reno, and it's a pain to move the built-in ovens and cooktop. I agree on new lighting: Check out Rejuvenation's lighting -- made in the USA, and if you get a fixture that suits your style, you can always switch out the shades if your taste changes (you can't change shades in a lot of the cheaper made-in-China fixtures). Have fun!

@charlie28, LYONSTILL, & Bagelsmom: Technically according to the IRS, it's the donor's responsibility to assign "fair market value." The charity or your tax preparer is not legally responsible -- you are. Fair market value of used clothing is "significantly less" than the new value, and there is no set rate per item. It's up to the taxpayer to assign a value (that's why the charity gives you blank receipt), and the IRS even suggests shopping at thrift stores to find out fair market value. Yes, unless you're donating a car or lots of bigger-ticket items in a single year, it's not worth tracking for most people. See the IRS publication 526 for details: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_2011_publink1000229703

Please donate your extras! All the items listed in this post could be used by clients of domestic violence agencies, homeless housing programs, youth shelters, and more. Toiletries, books, household supplies and kitchen gear -- please lighten your load and help someone rebuild their lives at the same time.

Yes! Great tour. What are the dimensions of your banquette? Thinking of doing something similar.

I love the tall shelves in Eva's link. Perhaps flank the sconces with tall bookcases, connect them with low shelves for media in between, and then leave that large space between the sconces for a big, dramatic, fun piece of artwork. My problem is the opposite -- right now all the art I want is bigger than the wall spaces I have left! A big, bold contemporary folk art piece would look great. Something like Fishboy's work: http://www.fishboygallery.com/

It's a lovely piece, and several elements indicate it's handmade. As Elizapipp says, it's a Chinese-style cooker, but the ceramic style is contemporary American hand-made. Personally, I would use it as decoration and not for cooking. From its style it's likely American-made by a potter in the last 30 years, but my MIL (a potter) warns against using any second-hand ceramics for cooking, because if they're older American, or from a country that doesn't regulate ceramics, the glaze could have lead, cadmium or other harmful chemicals in it. Nowadays all pottery must be labeled "food-safe" or "decorative/not food-safe," but you never know with second-hand. If there are any chips or cracks in it, definitely don't use it for food.

A full house layout map would be helpful, with dimensions. Is it a functional fireplace? Do you want to keep it? My first thought was Dave's: raise the floor level so it's a fully-functional room. Otherwise, it depends on how you use your living room. Is it a place to relax, to socialize, or to watch TV? If the fireplace doesn't work and the steps can be converted into lounge space, could you hang a TV in front of the fireplace? If you can't raise the floor, can you use another space for a living room, and use this space as an office, play space for kids, etc? Is there enough floor area in the raised area for a dining room table?

Babygrace: All in! The burritos are as big as your head, and completely unadorned on the outside, which is what the salsa bar is for, I guess. I copied the menu description below, although when they say "bean sprouts," they actually use sprouted green peas, which are wonderful! (I probably shouldn't share this with the sensitive AT audience, but the burrito is SO big and warm, wrapped tight in a pale flour tortilla, that we joke it's a "shaved puppy." Thusly: "Man, I'm so hungry I could eat an entire shaved puppy by myself." "No way, too big, I gotta split that puppy." "That puppy looks so good, I *almost* want to cuddle it instead of stab it with a fork." Ahem.)

- Black Bean Supercrunch: Filled with black beans, cheese, fresh salsa, and lettuce, supercrunch earns it’s name with the addition of crushed tortilla chips, bean sprouts, and peanuts.
- The vegan supercrunch includes Spanish rice, pinto beans, fresh salsa, lettuce, and a terrifically crisp crunch from bean sprouts, crushed tortilla chips, and sunflower seeds.