JoannaES's Profile

I just purchased an old secretary at a thrift store that is already painted. Can I just put primer over the old paint or do I need to sand it off? And if I need to sand it off - how exactly do you accomplish that (in an apartment that includes a 2-year old!)?

Wow, that sounds very similar to my own escape to the North Fork. I would also recommend checking out Love Lane - a cute little street in Mattituck, before you get all the way out East. The Love Lane kitchen prepared some very yummy sandwiches, perfect for a winery picnic. I love Shinn, but this year we tried the Old Field Vineyards. We brought a picnic and were able to chat with the owners - we were told to make ourselves at home and picnic any place on the property (they even offered a tablecloth - although we were prepared with one of those huge, has everything picnic baskets). We feasted on fresh goat cheese from Catapalano (yum for the one with fresh garlic - it makes me want to head out there this weekend for another taste) and our sandwiches from the Love Lane Kitchen. We usually make our getaway an overnight excursion and stay at the Silver Sands. This year we learned that every morning they have fisherman out there harvesting oysters - very cool! And they're happy to talk to you all about their trade. If you live in the area - definitely make a trip out there!

The entrance to the dining room/kitchen is opposite the walls with the window, which is why I thought that would make a good accent wall. Maybe not. I appreciated the comments about the room feeling too square, which was something I had not thought about. I'm not ready to embrace the black and white (at least yet). Although I do love that lighting fixture from CB2!

I really like red, but that may make the black and white even more overwhelming!