lorenab's Profile

Here's an interesting question for the debate--what about cars? Originally, designed and made in the U.S.. The argument is that the costs are high and quality low due to unionized American labour. Should we support American made for economic reasons and do our bit, or buy Japanese cars based on American designs but made in ununionized factories that quite often are better built and in many cases, more well suited to personal needs?

I just lugged home a similar piece from the Sally Ann. I honestly wondered whether I should have dropped it off at the curb when I saw how sorry it looked. Like yours, however, the wood was teak so I tried the Howard Restor-a-Finish/Orange Oil combo. In less than an hour, the piece looked drop dead gorgeous. The patina of the wood was incredible. I'm a hug fan of painting furniture when it merits it but, my advice here, don't do it to teak. You will never come close to replicating the beauty of the wood. Also, teak is endangered, it would be a shame to sacrifice it to a paint brush. Go with the Howard stuff. I picked them up at Home Depot for about $20 for the two. Also, you can also give Howard a try and if you still don't like the look, then re-evalutate.

This isn't so bad.
1. remove the doors and get new ones made. If you're handy, get some MDF and make them yourself (slab sprayed with glossy paint with new hardware would look great).
2. New counters--Ikea butcher block or formica looks great for very little money.
3. you may have to live with the appliances but if you're willing to forfeit stainless, there's often lots of cheap options in used appliances in the white category.
4. if you can tile, put in a backspash. if you can't wallpaper is a great option. i think Graham & Brown actually makes backsplash specific paper.

The City of Montreal takes its snow removal very seriously. I was visiting my sister one snowy day when what sounded like a fog horn started blaring. My sis told me later it's a warning to all those parked on a street a snow removal truck is traveling along. All cars are to be removed during designated times throughout the winter so trucks can remove snow right up to the sidewalk. If you ignore the designated time or the last warning of the fog horn, your car is towed. Luckily however, it is only towed to a near by street as opposed to a pound. Where that street was would be for the car owner to figure out!

I know this Montreal neighbourhood very well as my sis lives there. It is so beautiful. The pic doesn't do it justice. And BTW, I'm a gal that loves neutral. Would never do it to my house, but in the right setting, obviously it works. I think the houses of the Plateau makes Mtl. one of the best cities in the world.

The reason duplexes in Mtl. are stacked this way is because of the very high density of the downtown area. The apartments themselves--though lovely--tend to be very small.

I had the same problem. I went with the flat as I couldn't stand the bumps. Well, much to my disappointment, they still showed. A friend told me to use Farrow and Ball as the clay in the Estate Emulusion line is made specifically to hide imperfections in uneven plaster walls. It was amazing and I ended up repainting the entire condo. As an added bonus, I think it's impossible to choose a bad colour with F&B. The palette is limited (good in a way as you don't drive yourself crazy trying to pick just the right one) and every one is a winner. For bumpy plaster walls I wouldn't go with anything else.