jennd0718's Profile

I've used ABF too. They charge by linear foot in a truck and are a pretty good deal. I did the math and it's comparable/cheaper to renting a truck, paying for gas and hotel and food for a slow cross country drive The only downside is you have to pack the truck.

Be patient with your decorating. Most people don't move into their first place and have it look like the places on AT in minutes. I've owned my own home(s) for 18 years and occasionally sit with an unfinished space until I find the right piece to make it all work. I currently have a large blank wall in my living room.

Move in and wait for a while before doing anything major. Start with the couch, since you don't like his couch, do you have one? If not, start looking for a couch. Then decide where it will work best in the room. Then start on the walls. Spend some time looking for things you both like. If the flag is really important, frame it. Look at Graphic Dimensions or Frames-by-Mail for inexpensive DIY frames. If you just wait and let your combined space grow on it's own, it will feel less forced and there will most likely be less conflict.

Good Luck!!!

We have very busy cats, so I use plastic coated wire to attach the top of the Christmas tree to two places on the wall, so if they decide to climb it it will hopefully stay upright.

We also are very mindful of the ornaments we choose. There are plenty of plastic ones that can get knocked around that are just as lovely as glass.

And last, we had a cat who LOVED the curly ribbon. She had special radar for the stuff and would just suck it down like spaghetti within minutes of realizing it was in the house. More than one trip to the vet. We started using with real cloth ribbon which didn't appeal to her and would check presents as they came in and change out the ribbon.

Carolina Zhang - Get over yourself.

Most designers know that not everyone can afford their products. Otherwise there wouldn't be reproductions at all. Almost every famous designer has copies of their work out there.

It's too late for you now, but Fels Naptha laundry soap works great for getting poison oak/ivy oil off the skin shortly after exposure. It's getting harder to find. I have to buy it at the local mom and pop hardware store.

Don't bother with paint trays. They are too easy to step in, know over and yes you need to keep refilling the, The idea of a whole gallon of paint in one sounds to me like a disaster waiting to happen

Get a clean 5 gallon paint bucket and a paint screen and an extension handle. Pour 2-3 gallons of paint in the bucket and mix well. Place the screen in on the side of the bucket and dip the roller with the extension attached in the paint and roll off the excess on the screen. It leaves the perfect amount of paint on the roller.

If you need to stop for the night, remove the extension from the roller and hang it on the screen. There is a lip on the handle for this. Cover the entire 5 gallon bucket with a plastic bag and you can start up where you left of in the morning.

Cut the edges and around outlets and switches first. then using the extension you can reach all the way up the wall with the roller. Paint all the way up and down moving in a "W" pattern and then come back to blend it all together.

Saves you tons of time.

I am also one of those cat people and have had as many as four cats in my home at one time and small children. Museum wax is awesome. The wax does wonders to keep everything in place. I also pay attention to where the cats like to go and not put my best stuff there.

I have a buffet under a window and the cats love to use it to get in the window. I have a really heavy lamp on the top and nothing else. I might add a basket, but nothing breakable

I have a dark forest green chenille couch and chairs. While there is hair to deal with, it seems minimal compared to the cotton duck sofa I used to have. That thing was a hair magnet! I also have throw blankets where the cats like to sleep. They always seem to fall for that. Why sleep on the couch, when you can sleep on something on the couch.

I have a sisal rope scratcher made from an IKEA Stolmen Post. I bought rope and Home Depot and just wrapped it around the post. The post comes with clips to hold the ends in place. I spray it with liquid catnip regularly to keep it more appealing than the couch.

My mother LOVES bright colors. Loves, loves, loves. And flowers, flowery stuff and DIY painted furniture. We had the kitchen remodeled in the mid 80's and she had a kelly green countertop installed that you could see from almost everywhere in the house. Our house was always very visually busy. Every room was a different color and nothing was neutral.

After I got my first grown-up house, I was hosting a party for my parents. My mother's best friend and neighbor for 40 years came in and said, "This, this is what I expected from you." Earth tones, muted palette, unpainted wood.

I'm looking around my house as I write this and the only thing my living room and my mother's have in common is a lot of art. We're both artists and our personal color palettes are really reflected in the art we make and the art we collect.

I am just amazed at some of these stories. Other than family, I don't have anyone in my life that would be this horrible of a house guest, but I would never let someone I haven't seen in years or a friend-of-a-friend stay with me. I just don't understand why people put themselves in this position. You have no one to be upset with except yourself. You made the decision to allow someone into your home. You made a bad decision, your fault. Say no.

I've moved several times across the country. While you have a car full of stuff, pets, kids, etc. you will not want to/be able to stop and sight see. It just doesn't happen. Find the quickest route, plan for hotels that will let you stay with pets and just drive as far as you can every day.

I've taken all three routes mentioned and the are all beautiful just from the interstate.