ldevere's Profile

You know, when I see spaces like this, my first thought is, 'How in the world do you dust it?' Sure, they're cute an all, but no one shows them (or the kitchens, the shelves, the tiny balconies, etc.) the next week when the grime, splashes, dirt, 'n' all make these spaces far less appealing.

I always think, 'What will it take to maintain this?' before I sign on to an attractive idea.

Short version: Document. Complain to the mgr/ll. Call the cops. Repeat.

I've lived 14 years in LA in the same apt. Am currently living with my 4th Neighbor(s)-From-Hell:
2 grandparents
2 parents
1 big dog
1 screaming 2 y/o
1 baby on the way... IN A SINGLE-ROOM APT!!!

If you live in LA, this is the 411 from LAPD:
- First complaint, police come, tell 'em to keep it quiet.
- Second, it's a fine.
- Third, the cuffs come out.

DOCUMENT! Keep a log of dates, times, specifics.

Talk to the Manager/Landlord. Face to face AND in writing.

Look up the Landlord/Tenant Laws for your city. Make a copy & give it to the LL. In LA it doesn't have to be after a certain hour, just that it impinges on your privacy and enjoyment of your living space.

Visit your local precinct and have a sit-down (so to speak) so the cops know you're not some loony but just want to enjoy the home YOU PAY GOOD MONEY FOR. Keep in mind, YOU'RE THE GOOD GUY. Ask for the cops' help resolving the situ. They're supposed to be here for you, the law-abiding citizen.

Something most people don't realize: Cops have the power to label an apartment complex as a 'bad apple' (not the legal term). Once that happens, cops start to drop in a lot, scrutinize tenants and conditions, get in touch with the landlord -- LL's HATE THAT! It's very difficult to get that label removed and get off their radar. They may find themselves receiving a lot more fines, their rental property value goes down, their insurance goes up... Because they let the jerks in.

I'm here to encourage you -- I personally got rid of 2 of the N-F-H by documenting and being a lawful squeaky wheel. (I'm currently trying to work with the current ones who answer the door, "Go ahead, call the police." (And hello to you too!)

LEAVE THE POLITICS TO THE POLITICAL WEBSITES!!

I thought this blog was about "therapy", not divisiveness. Fore heaven's sake, this is an INTERIOR DESIGN site.

LEAVE IT!

Y'all need to find a cheap flight to Burbank, LAX, or some other way to bring your bootie to L.A. Have all your ideas, measurements in hand or you'll wish you did! I will then collect you all and ferry you to the Garment District downtown for a seamster(tress)s culture shock:

*Michael Levine's. Their warehouse sells everything; anything. At prices you think are a mistake. And the table workers are NOT the sullen high schoolers of JoAnne's; these people are professionals, this is their life's work.

Did I mention directly across the street is also Michael Levine's, but it's the upholstery and drapery fabrics. There are multi-story buildings that only deal in feathers or buttons or ribbon -- an excess of riches.

BTW: If you're from NY, fugeddaboudit!

AT's gone "through the looking glass"...

A thought: What's the decorating/design equivalent to "jumping the shark"?

In the last 10 years I've purchased over $50-worth of air plants -- none have lasted longer than 3 months. I know: I'm a sucker. What's the saying?: 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.'

girlonthem00n: We can have a "black-thumb off" ;-}

Years ago in Seattle I came across a Master Paper Cutter from China at the International Festival. He did the most delicate, intricate work with these MASSIVE scissors. It's considered a true art form, just not an ancient one. He knocked out a yellow lion for me in less than 3 minutes, sans pattern. I purchased a 14"x10" dragon of exquisite delicacy and asymmetry, cut from tissue paper and painted, no less!

Just to say there are some other forms of paper-cutting out there and not to limit the mind to just silhouettes.

I challenge myself once a day to look at a flat surface - I'm guilty on nearly all of them - and say to myself, 'Hmmm, what doesn't belong here?' The tape measure and nightgown on the computer desk? The flower pots and seeds on the dining table? Teach yourself to look for these things and take them to their rightful home.

Hey - it's a Tribble keeper!

Did some online research a few years back looking for ways to keep the deer from my sister's fruit trees. All agreed that nothing really worked. There was some plastic netting that could be thrown over the branches but disengaging it was FAR more troublesome than giving up some fruit to the deer. My best thought was: Get a Border Collie.