yellow coffee cup's Profile

I would paint the wall only behind the cabinets and not the wall with the windows. Totally agree with the other comments to paint the table and chairs! Would make a huge difference. The choice of paint color should be yours -- but I've always liked a cheery yellow or butter yellow in the kitchen, which would go nicely with the dark wood. You need a rug/bamboo mat/yoga mat to cover a bit of the floor... And please take those dish towel and pot holder hooks off the wall for a nice print or a small shelf : )

Good luck, Tess! Having moved three times (internationally) in the last four years I've had a great time reading the comments. Here's my contribution:
- 'One room a week' as mentioned by another reader seems much more doable than a box a day!
- You might consider postponing packing those boxes for another six weeks -- giving up recipes, pans, clothes etc. is easier for a month than three.
- Label ALL boxes IN DETAIL so even if you need something, you'll get it without cursing yourself
- Stock up on newspaper, bubble wrap, recycled boxes, tape, string, markers, sticker labels even if you think you have enough. Maybe some old kitchen towels/clothes can be used for packing and donated in the new place.
- Make a packing list of what'll go in your suitcase (if you're traveling separately) so you don't overestimate the space you have

Okay, from someone who just had a party and cooked everything in advance (for the first time ever) -- KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR FRIDGE CAN TAKE, for god's sake. Especially if you're in warm weather. I almost cried trying to fit in marinated grill meats, beer, stuff defrosting, a tray of panna cotta, cake frosting, salad ingredients...

I guess you should cut when the chocolate is still soft? Otherwise it might splinter? Any advice?

Oooooohhh after looking for dining chairs this weekend (together) I'm not looking forward to making too many more design decisions. My husband's a better cook too, sure, but I cook every day and he does once every month -- so the kitchen's MINE. For shared spaces, sometimes you give, sometimes you take. Marriage is amazing as long as you don't kill each other.

#rural and rueful and others -- you missed the point of the whole post. I feel sorry for people who are SO negative all the time! Just relax a bit...

Ha ha! I missed the dog! I was trying to look at that sofa for the absolute minimum amount of time : ) I don't mean to be mean... sorry. If you like the couch, keep it. But with the black and white floor and the wooden floor it's going to be tough. Please slipcover.

Please carry pepper spray. And if you love the apartment, send a follow-up e-mail AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -- on the ride home -- making it clear that you are setting up an appointment to give them the first month's rent. Get a receipt for the rent.

I have been following AT for at least five years, and I've never seen this post before either...

LOVE. Looks like a beautiful boutique hotel suite. Great job, Chad!