Boo the Bully's Profile

Chuck 'em - books make much better (functional) design accessories sans their glossy, often banged up coats!

Definitely modified, but who knows - it may be an original. Jielde lamps are virtually indestructible! If it's a true Jielde, no amount of bending will ruin it because their lamps don't use a continuous wire, but instead use a series of discs to conduct the electricity through the elbows! Awesome find, real or repro!

Clear everything off the counters and walls - EVERYTHING - soap, spices, microwave, etc. Paint the woodwork white, including the door AND dog/cat door...make that disappear! If you can swing it, get some hardware on those cabinets - it will instantly make the kitchen look more valuable. Good thinking with a fresh coat of paint, but don't go too light - it may clash with the cabinets and wash out the room. Scrub those burners! Don't sink too much into redoing the counters - they sell kits, I think Rustoleum, that would help. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! Hope your dad heals fully and quickly!

Also test your pet's comfort level with different decorations...if you think the holidays can be stressful for a person, try being an English Bulldog puppy seeing a *huge* Christmas tree for the first time! You'd back up and knock over Dad's guitar, too!

PS -Zippy is rad!

If you are feeling adventurous, you could call the sofa's manufacturer or customer service line (it sounds like you already have a sofa?) and ask if it could be dis- and reassembled by the consumer (you). I'm sure many people have had this problem before and asking never hurts! The other option is to ask upon ordering a new sofa if it could be delivered disassembled. I worked at a home decor boutique and everything came to us in pieces, including recliners and sofas; maybe you could ask them to do the same? Again, more time on the line with customer service, but I'm sure some company could do it!

Definitely paint the panelling a light tone (a soft white or almond color would sit nicely with the other warmer elements)! If the floor is your favorite part, make the other elements of the room fall back a little bit so it can stand out on its own! You could even white-wash the fireplace brick if you don't want to preserve the brick's color - we did this to our pink-ish brick fireplace and with just one or two coats of watered-down primer it was a new room!