smallfry's Profile

I recently moved into a 741 sf loft and it is the perfect size for me! Remember the bigger the place the higher your utility bills too. In the small one I'd put the desk against the wall next to the pantry up towards the window. Add some bookcases and shelving for a nice work area. A long, slim desk like the MICKE from IKEA would save floor space. Put the couch in front of the living room window and the tv on the wall between the living and bedroom. Then you can see it fom everywhere in the main living space. Add a chair near the couch, a small roumd dining table or island near the kichen and you will be good to go! Have fun and enjoy your space.

i love 'ground scores'! when i lived in berkeley i found tons of goodies when students moved out. some of my faves:

brand new slow cooker complete with carrying case
moka pot
plants
beautiful wooden side table with three shelves i use for my nightstand
beds
chairs
picture frames
a bicycle! had a free sign needed a new seat and was later stolen. :(
mirrors

i also love when friends are moving. i offer to help them move in exchange for first dibs on anything they don't want! tons of vintage kitchen goodies and even more furniture have been acquired this way.

i gave away my tv, vcr, dvd player and about 100 vhs tapes to a large family next door when i moved from berkeley. i always try to give away things i don't need to friends, put things i know will go on the curb, e.g. bookshelves, then donate the rest.

i also love to barter my art for goodies/services with other artists. i had a quilt top quilted for a few framed photos, scored a laptop computer AND printer for another, and accept original art/jewelry as payment for portrait work.

take what you need, trade with a friend and pay it forward when you don't need it anymore. everyone wins!

tj's english style lemon curd. omg it is good. i tell myself i'm buying it for the cute glass bottles that i reuse for my spices. ;-)

searched for this after the broken link because i am allergic to down. this would make my winter much more cozy!

i never encountered this growing up in the midwest. in the wintertime yes, dirty boots off. now that i am on my own in california i always take my shoes off at the door. i appreciate when guests do the same but do not enforce it. a good door mat helps a bit. i always put away my rugs when i have more than a few friends over. much easier to clean hardwoods than shag the next day!

also, i don't mind when someone else asks me to take off my shoes. i follow my host's conduct. if they take their shoes off at the door, i take mine off too. i try to keep sock holes at a minimum so this is not a problem. :)

i don't have much counter space but i always have on the counter my microwave, magic bullet, and espresso machine because they are used daily. i have a canvas bin that holds extra 'attachments' for everything on the fridge a few steps away. in a cabinet right underneath them all are the blender, small cuisinart, crock-pot and waffle iron which all get used about once a week so. they are at the front of the shelves so they can be pulled out quickly and easily. having a set place for everything and being able to get to anything i need quickly has helped me use what i have more often.

rachel, thank you for being brave and sharing your home! i love the quirky layout, views and paint choices. you can tell that you love your space. :)

i also feel that the little shelves are used way too much in the space. i am all for storage but a little goes a long way.

would love to see that gorgeous mirror over the couch with the paintings currently hiding on the top shelves around it. still eclectic but more living space than 'storage room'. also that tray/table you are using for a coffee table would be great under the bar shelves which i would leave. a bigger coffee table or set of small tables would be nice. have you tried putting the green modular chairs in the bedroom together for a couch instead? would look great with the other pieces already in that room. not a fan of the red couch either.

in the bed room also agree putting the large painting right above the bed and removing the useless shelf would look more pulled together.

best of luck and thanks again for sharing your work in progress!

i have a small tidy apartment and usually clean it on sunday or monday (my weekend). one day i'll dust, sweep, mop, clean the bathroom etc. for about 2 hours and the other do laundry, grocery shopping etc. my 'system' usually works great.

before a big trip, i do a deep clean. there have been times, yes i admit, that i will not sleep before heading to the airport. i always take early flights to avoid crowds and to get there sooner. for some reason my home always seems to get messy right before a trip. maybe it is because i am trying to do everything before i leave? it is so worth taking the time to clean it before the trip! the first few days after returning home are hard enough to adjust to after a trip and having a calm, clean home makes it easier to get back to the grind. plus time to plan the next trip of course!

nice! love the light, windows, garden, and bookshelves. i would be proud to live here, and in paris! le sigh indeed.

i like yellow and gray together. not a bright lemon fresh yellow more of a butter or straw for me.