SherryBinNH's Profile

WORK? Are you crazy? Long weekends are perfect for having fun and relaxing!

No babies in my life, but I still want that pom-pom garland!

I have an open concept kitchen living room, and the blonde maple cabinets, birch "Jake" chairs (R&B), IKEA breakfast table (pine, I think) and counter stools are offset by dark green/black in the countertops and kitchen floor. The living room furniture is mostly dark Mission style or upholstered pieces on medium maple hardwood... and I love all of it together! Mixing wood tones is not a problem, as long as the overall balance of dark and light, et al works for the space.

I think everybody ought to go with whatever makes them happy. For me, I want a completely decorated space that feels comfortable and lived in. The level of quality of each piece depends on my funds and what I happen on... My most "valuable" things are thrift finds (MCM chairs, etc.) and my shelves, desk and other pieces are IKEA. I like the lines, I like the price, and I get compliments on my home -- so more expensive, quality items aren't important to me. If I run into a table, say, that totally wows me and that (in that moment) I can afford, likely I will replace the one I have with the new one... that kind of upgrade can be ongoing. But meanwhile, even if it's not Architectural Digest level stuff, I am quite content. If having empty spaces waiting for the perfect piece makes you happy, then that's your approach. To each his own...

I have a box of mementos, and I squirm to think about them -- they are destined for the fire, as soon as my fire pit actually exists. (Maybe the shredder. I HAVE a shredder...)

I keep the objects that I love no matter the source. I get RID of the objects I dislike, no matter the source. But the journals and clippings and snapshots... all that stuff generally makes me embarrassed at my younger self, and now that it's all boring past history, stuff I really would rather not think about, it has to go.

I'd have to papier mache over this as an armature, I'm afraid -- looks like the START of something cool...

For me it depends. Much of the time I like the silence. Especially if I'm reading. Sometimes I can tune out the TV if my partner is watching and I'm reading or focused on something else. But I might have the sound on if I'm cleaning house or putting up the Christmas tree, for instance. And I have been known to drop right off to sleep when trying to listen to perfectly interesting talk shows, if I'm tired... I love Rachel Maddow, but something about her voice is a soporific to me! (Don't tell her!!)

I think the plain or tone-on-tone ones work the best, but I am not a fan of wallpaper in general -- to me, wallpaper ALWAYS looks dated. You can go with a William Morris look that is deliberately dated or pick something you love that's new, and in ten years it will look ten years old. Stripping wallpaper is a pain in just about everything, so I will continue to get my pattern with textiles and art. The short-term pleasure isn't, to me, worth the longer term pain!

(We refused to buy a priced-to-sell house in our preferred neighborhood for our first home because of the horrible wallpaper... Never once regretted that decision.)

Cool! Rococo to the nth!

Those might be IKEA tracks and panels. They have other designs, so maybe the tracks just need to be tightened or something, and new panels purchased. (Or made -- I think you can make your own as long as the fabric isn't too thick...)

If you want a regular drapery look instead, I would still consider a trip to IKEA. They have the least expensive lined drapes I have seen, and for room darkening, lined is best. You cut to fit the length you want and sew or use provided iron-on tape to hem.

Good luck!