saraannsmith's Profile

Social psychologists established that one of the most things people considered most worthwhile spending money on, over time, was a view. Obviously, real estate is priced to reflect the value of a great view, but even in whatever apartment or house you live in, it's nice to place furniture such that you can make the best of whatever you can see out of your windows.

Of course, there are other logistical constraints and considerations to furniture arrangement, but if you can have a place where the corner of the world you see outside of your home is calming, it makes a big difference. We have a couch in our bedroom (I know, this suggests how insanely large our master bedroom is, but I love it.) and I love sneaking away to lay down with a book or drift off for a quick nap while gazing out at the top branches of the tall trees in our yard swaying in the wind or covered with snow that I see framed by the windows from this spot.

So many aspects are beautiful...the added windows, the wainscoting, the light fixtures, and, even though it's not favorite thing to paint wood trim, the paint. Looks great. For me, though, saltillo tiles are such a classic element and they last forever...it seems a shame not to try to incorporate them somehow rather than the waste of destroying them and putting in new tiles. But, of course, to each his own taste! Good job!

I like the look of maybe 1 open shelf for displaying extra pretty things in a nicely styled way. But, for me, I LOVE dishes and all types of kitchen equipment, gadgets, and cooking stuff so all open shelves would be a disaster. Dusty, grimy (because really, who is going to dust all of those things all of the time?) and I need to pack my shelves more densely and less aesthetically pleasingly than is appropriate for open shelving. Plus, I'm a klutz and would be bound to be knocking things off the side and potentially breaking them all the time.

These are all really cute. But, don't limit yourself to just prints or actual "art." I love the look of a framed or or stretched cool tea towel. Tons of great ones on etsy, or even one from W&S, cb2, crate&barrel, etc. I also love hanging really beautiful hand carved wooden utensils :).

While I'm sure every realtor would tell you to paint over it, I like the idea of keeping it, with a note highlighting that it was a design contest finalist and the offer to paint over it if the buyers choose.

BUT, I would NOT include a pic of it in any of your online listing photos. It's a beautiful mural, but in pictures people are much more likely to be distracted by it, more likely not to be able to appreciate it and somehow those real estate websites always seem to do a number on pictures. A picture won't do it justice, but in person, people should be more able to see the value of it, even if they don't want it.

We bought our house with a cloud mural covering all of the walls in my son's room. I actually only saw the pics before we moved in (long story, cross country move, house bought when I was very pregnant). Based on the pics my husband too, I had planned to paint over it. But, after we moved in, I ended up liking it b/c it was well done.

I agree with Holiday05 and the others who have commented similarly. I'm sure it's frustrating and stressful for your mom, but assuming that it's negligent, rude behavior on their part is not conducive to actually negotiating a solution.

Having lived both above and below, I know for certain that normal behavior like walking can sound horrendously loud. Kids are kids, and even the most well behaved kids must be allowed to actually live in their own home. It's unfortunate, but kids drop things (and while it might sound like it, it's not bowling balls)...they just do. It's also nearly impossible to keep a child from every running in.their.own.home. As for the people who think any yelling is a sign of bad parenting...clearly you don't have kids. I try not to yell, but it happens (and now I live in our own single family dwelling and I STILL worry the neighbors might overhear in the summer).

In this situation, it sounds like the time of day is the real problem. It seems like the best thing might be for someone who is less emotional about the situation give it another shot in terms of talking to the neighbors. Just try to also put yourself in their shoes, be overly kind and empathetic (even if it truly is undeserved) when giving it one more try. You can win more flies with honey. Calling the cops or blaring noise at them is just being rude in return, and only going to make the situation worse.

Love this! So creative!

Absolutely stunning...just gorgeous in almost every way. (It does break my heart to see painted wood floors and ceiling beams.)

Gorgeous!!

I find it so bizarre how much people on this site criticize ikea. If one of your criticisms is that all of these look "so ikea," then obviously you've shopped there, looked at the catalog, etc. enough to know that, so why are you dissing it?

This is an ikea ad, people!!! Do you criticize other ads for promoting their products? Their point is not to dispose of their furniture, accessorize it differently.

I personally have had great luck with ikea. Is it solid wood, handmade furniture that will be passed down for generations? Of course not. Will it last most of my lifetime (or least my daughter's childhood)? Yes.

Like others have said, people need to have places to sleep, sit, eat, and store belongings and can't always wait for that "perfect" piece. Also, many people don't live in big cities with great craigslist finds. I have regularly scoured mine for the 3 years I have lived here and have yet to find anything worth purchasing. Same with goodwill, etc. Yes, if I had the time to scour flea markets, garage sales, etc. constantly, I could find more unique pieces, and I do this when I can.

But, hello, do any of these people have children? Ikea is good style at an affordable price. If you don't like it, don't buy it, but don't look down on people or criticize them for owning ikea furniture.

We will never have the money, even with careful saving, to buy the kinds of unique pieces that we would ideally love. That's the price you pay for choosing careers that are meaningful to you and yet don't pay super well. I have developed a personal, unique collection of home furnishings over time, too, but I love that ikea exists to furnish reality.