dirkish's Profile

It actually doesn't look that dark and gloomy to me. I would paint the soffitts/walls above the cabinets the same color as the cabinets.

If your ceiling is not already bright white, repainting it might help a bit too.

I like the lower cabinets being dark...balances out darth frigidaire.

If you're still feeling gloomy, then updating the sage green with an earth green that is a bit more yellow would also be a change to think about.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE scrabble and words, but I don't get this trend...I don't want to READ your house.

I am still a fan of monograms.

I like the idea of hanging the bike up. Floating it up there will make it like art. If you go this route, be sure the bike is SECURE. Last thing you want is a bike falling on you or a guest. Also, be mindful that the user of the bike needs to get it up/down safely. Could be awkward and potentially dangerous to balance on the steep staircase while raising or lowering the bike.

Other than using the negative vertical space, I think its too narrow for a lot of storage options. But a bright pastel paint job, art and better lighting would be improvements...

Lowest budget option: Landing strip. In other words a place to sort mail, drop your keys in a pretty bowl, etc. Would also be a nice place for a cool tchotcke, fresh flowers, or bowl of fruit.

Next lowest budget option: Perch. Replace those stools (which seem to be too short for the height of the ledge) with something slim and backless. Sure there's still no leg room, but one-two people can perch there with a glass of wine while the chef is in the kitchen getting dinner ready.

Less budget option: Breakfast bar. Take off the existing top and replace it with something that does have room for legs. If you can't match the kitchen counters, something contrasty would be fine in my opinion. (I think height of your current stools remains an issue....)

Least budget option: breakfast bar 2.0: Take out all existing countertops, reduce the ledge wall, new counter is just the kitchen counter extended over the now lower ledge wall. In this option I think you can reuse your existing stools, but you probably want to redo both sides of counter.

I know you said you want to keep both couches, but I feel like they are what is clogging up your room. Have you played with furniture arrangement? Could the sofas be arranged facing each other?

Are you open to painting the woodwork? That would make it less claustrophobic also.

And finally, a simpler, sleeker light fixture would help.

Cute apartment...and weird how the sunny-ness of the window side of the room dosn't quite make it to the couch side...

Is it in the budget to reupholster your couch? Not crazy about that color. If so, I think something in the teal family--like but not exactly the same as your drapes--would be a good choice.

I would also paint at least the wall behind the couch a different color. I think you could go for a warm white (Benjamin Moore Atrium White is a favorite and it looks good everywhere, imho) or you could go for something in the teal family.

A couple of other things: i don't think the map over the sofa is enough. Maybe add a couple of smaller prints on either side of it, and/or develop it into more of a gallery wall. Whatever you put up there needs to compete with those big bright windows directly opposite, and right now it's not.

Also, I feel like the lamp on the TV credenza feels misplaced to me. Too tall....? Or something? Not sure what I don't like about it, but I don't like it where it is now.

I love Rucy's approach: get in this trap and you get out of here alive.

I like the old fashioned traps with the spring. Put them wherever you've seen evidence of the mice. Or heard them. Agree with those who've highlighted the problem of the dead mouse decomposing and smelling in some inaccessible place in your house.

As for disinfecting, I think what you're doing/have done is sufficient. The residual smell of the bleach may be a deterrent in the short term. Obviously, you probably want to discard any food they've gotten into.

The main thing to remember is: if you remove their food source, they will go away. Once they find a food source, they can be pretty ingenious at getting into it; you may need to put all dry food into glass or airtight plastic containers.

Remember that food includes trash and dirty dishes. Wash dishes immediate after each meal and take trash out every night, if possible. If taking trash out every night isn't possible, you can do as I do and freeze trash that includes traces of food (dirty tin foil, bones, etc) in airtight containers and then dump them on trash day.

If you live in a multi-family dwelling, your problem may be a whole-building or whole neighborhood thing. In other words, they will continue traveling through your home to get to the food upstairs.

Good luck!

Genius.

Terry is right. Blocking a door like that, even if you do not use the door, gives inhabitants of the room a trapped feeling. Kinda like the crazy old person who blocks the windows and doors with big furniture.

Is there anywhere else the couch can go?

To answer your question: yes the heat from that wall heater will over time wear the fabric on your couch.

What is your favorite color? What is your boyfriend's favorite color. Start there.

Others have mentioned the FLOR system which I think is really a good solution and is flexible in the long term. Be aware that some flor tiles are heavy traffic (which you probably want with Scratchy McFido) and others are not.

You didn't really ask, but: a nice light fixture suspended over your dining room table would be a great addition to your room.

Chilewich is another option for indestructible floor mats.