YakkoDot's Profile

I adore Home Reserve - I can only assume that the reason why there is not a Home Reserve couch in every house is that 1) the name is hard to remember (I love them and still have to Google them every time!), and 2) they don't have very good Google Ad presence - it takes me way too long to find them on Google, and I know what I'm looking for!

So here's our experience: there are two of us at just around 6 feet, and a range from 160 to 240 pounds. In Jan 2010 we bought a long sectional sofa - the Avenue in Hondo scarlet microfiber - with ottoman and decorate pillows - for just under $1,000. We have all kinds of things stored in the sofa and ottoman - emergency food and water, extra towels and blankets, DanceDanceRevolution pad, 3 laptops, videos, free weights and exercise bands... you know what, I'm going to stop there. So it's a great space-saver.

We have two dogs, and this is their hangout - so far no problems with the fabric. It is all machine-washable (note: not all fabrics are machine washable - check before buying if that is important to you), which was vital what with having dogs and all. Best of all - if I got sick of the color or material (or if we had a cat that peed on it - bitter experience speaking here), I could get the whole thing changed for a fraction of the cost. And the materials range from utilitarian beiges to fashion-forward prints.

The pillows: the back ones are squishy and soft, and the bottom pillows are firm and springy (strong foam so you can't feel the frame below). The bottom pillows are going strong after several years under heavy people -- and they are firm, but not too firm - if I can't sleep I'll often come and sleep on the couch and snooze off quickly. The one complaint I have is that the zippers on two of the back pillows broke, but that's easily fixed with safety pins (nobody sees that part of the cushion), and I'm pretty sure Home Reserve would fix it if I complained (I'm lazy).

So in short - this is a great deal, you should definitely go for it if you are on the fence!

This should rock my world. It has all kinds of great design elements, it's minimalist, it has a bike on the wall and the bike is even coordinated, there are great furniture pieces, it's all what I love and aspire to emulate. But it has NO SOUL. Not one tiny piece of personality. Not one. It is basically like an uber-trendy store's window display. I'm sorry, it just does not do it for me.

I think I would like to be your friend! You sound super cool. I love the studio supper idea, good for you!

Amazing space - wow oh wow. Love the brick, and the window/stained glass window on the wall. I'm confused by the layout though, where is the kitchen? Where is the chair and bookshelf?

Nice space, I like the space at the head of the bed. I adore Murphy beds!! I think you might have larger artwork, right now the many grouped small pieces are too... small. Something bold and meaningful? Oh, and I like that tear-dropped wood thiny.

"not very stylish"?? First, bratty comment to make, even for a contest. Second, don't agree at all. I think it's nicely stylish. They managed to have tons of different patterns and colors, and yet my overall impression is a spare, zen space. I give them kudos.

Oh, and one of my very favorite tricks for small space furniture: Home Reserve! Their chairs/couches/sectional sofas are super affordable, pack and mail flat (so you can get it up even tight stairs), you can switch out the fabric (for the whole thing, or just replacing a pillow cover) at a low cost, the fabric is washable, and best of all: there is built-in storage beneath the seats and inside the ottoman. All made in the USA, and there is a huge range of fabrics and designs, a lot of them pretty cute. We've been really happy with our sectional sofa! It has been a lifesaver in a small apartment!

For really tiny kitchens, I've seen stove covers that can be used as chopping centers (obviously before the cooking starts), has anyone tried those?

The best online store for patterned roller blinds is The Shade Store (dot com). I love their patterns, they really do the whole range.

I like MSpicky's solution better than anything pictured above. Although #8's picture frame is a nice way to make open stuff look neat and organized.