pbblythe's Profile

I received a glider/recliner (like a la-z-boy) which wound up in my living room after about 3 months. While it was - and still is - invaluable for those just-won't-sleep nights (they're coming!), story time and general fun time (yes, it spins too!), I wound up using the ottoman from the Ikea Poang in the room. The Poang chair doesn't work for me, but the ottoman was small and allowed me just the right height to hold him in my arms (the glider/recliners arms are too high) while he took his just before bed feeding. Added bonus, kiddo used it to pull himself up, climbed under it, and generally claimed it.

That said, either borrow something until you figure out what the little one likes, or buy something you love and would be happy with in another room. My recliner/glider is a beast (huge and bulky) and if it wasn't so incredibly soft and comfy I'd be passing it down to someone else. As it is, I can't get my husband or my son out of it. Also, don't bother to buy at a baby store, you can get the same thing for less ANYWHERE else.

A few other notes, please don't believe that the white washable slipcovers turn magically white. They don't. Plus, realize that whatever color fabric you get, something will get on it. Some sort of biohazard that stains. This is so not the time to buy designer fabric. Unless its for the slipcover you will put on in 24 months.

Everyone has their "things" that will make or break a space - I don't care if the paint is horrible in the lobby, but I need to feel safe walking to my car. Think about what makes you twitchy and make sure that isn't part of what makes it a dubious place.

Also? An apple core sat on the stairs for a week? Why not pick it up after the first (or second or third) time you walked by? I lived in an old house that was split into four apartments, and my entryway was a bit of a horror, but the application of a vacuum and the occasional removal of my neighbors' empties were a small price to pay for a nice place at a less expensive price.

I think it would be great to do captains chairs at each end and benches alongside (which you could diy to match the table).

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/captains-dining-chair/?pkey=csale-dining-tables-chair

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-benches/basque-honey-62%22-bench/s434779

The table looks vaguely nautical to me.

Absolutely gorgeous and fun.

Love the home. Thrilled to see a Houston home featured.

Looks great!

A couple thoughts:
1. I like the nubby fabric idea - an olive-green colored linen
2. A red - like the Toulouse Lautrec combination seen here: http://www.popartuk.com/art/toulouse-lautrec/ambassadeurs-st2769-poster.asp
and here: http://flickr.com/photos/11667842@N05/2122421948 in a matte fabric
3. another shade of the purple - a silvered lavender (as here http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/inspiration/inspiration-lavender-tiles-064149) or super deep (almost black) in a heavy velvet (Maybe a silvered lavender with the darker purple trim) or demi-matte fabric

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

I already survived it once, maybe that's why it burns my eyes. My husband, who missed it, seems to like it.

I use softclaws fairly regularly with my cat. I can put them on by myself. Occasionally if he's in a mood, I use the towel method (kitten burrito-ed in the towel), but otherwise, I simply do what I can until he's really over it, and get the rest later. Once they are on, he usually gnaws at them for a bit, but otherwise, ignores them.

It is very important to get the correct size. Cats' claws vary in size, and the large size will push against the footpad on a smaller-clawed cat. The size of the cat isn't always the best indication of what size softclaws they will need. My cat is larger in size and takes a combination of medium and small softclaws.

The glue sold with the softclaws is softer than regular superglue, which makes it easier to remove the softclaw in the event of a misapplication (like say, kitty's paw hair gets stuck in the nail) or kitty decides to try and tear up the berber. Just FYI, you can order more glue and glue tips at the web site.

Another helpful tip I learned for inveterate claw-ers - Sandpaper. We had one cat who liked to paw at the door incessantly. Taped a set of sandpaper squares (4 1 foot squares) to the wall and she stopped. Gradually took off squares until the door was bare. For those who need to try something on their couches, I'd recommend a bit of sandpaper, and I didn't find a particular grit worked better than any other once you got to at least a medium grit.

I must say, pet month is my favourite time on apartment therapy. Might not be a bad thing to have a separate sub-area like the kitchn for the pet happy all the time.