cjt's Profile

Abby - What were the categories for filing the professional organizer taught you?

The Martha Stewart website has lots of tips on decorating for weddings/showers. One idea in particular sounds cheesy, but looks beautiful (at least on the web site!) and is very cost effective: tissue paper pom-poms and luminarias. Here's the link: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias

I installed honed carrara hexagon tile (with grey grout) in our bathroom (bathroom floors and shower floors) and honed carrara basketweave (with black grout) in another bathroom. We also left it all unsealed. After a year of use, it still looks great (did I mention that I have three little boys who aren't the greatest at aiming?). With the honed finish, you don't have to worry about acids as much (acids, like toothpaste will ruin a polished finish), but the rougher surface does seem to hold dirt more easily. I decided not to seal because I wanted a lived-in look and loved all the beautiful centuries-old marble that we saw in Italy. That said, I have an iron stain (from a stainless steel soap dispenser!) and some minor scratches, but I think it adds to the patina.

Marble definitely requires more care than ceramic tile, but it is so much more beautiful. If you want pristine/perfect, then marble is not for you.

For everyday cleaning, I use plain water. Here's a great article on marble maintenance from the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/31/nyregion/home-clinic-keeping-marble-at-its-lustrous-best.html?sec=&spon=

You should also know that: marble floors can be very cold in the winter; the grooves between the hex tiles are sometimes hard to sweep clean (since the edges of the tile are 90 degrees vs. ceramic tile that has slightly curved edges); and marble tile can crack if a heavy object with sharp edges falls on it (less a problem with hex tile since the tiles are small).

Agreed. Sheer drapes, across the entire wall, from floor to ceiling, on both sides of the wall.

Where did you get your pink couch? Is it a daybed and is it as comfortable as it looks?

E.T. and we'd share Reese's Peanut Butter Candies while listening to "Major Tom" by David Bowie.