bb99's Profile

Yoga mats with throw pillows. Easy to stack out of the way but kids can (and when at home often do) stretch out on beds to do writing or reading. If the chairs are hard (I was skinny and school chairs were an agony) ask kids if they want to bring in seat cushions. For that matter, ask kids for suggestions on ways that would make them feel more homey. With plants just make sure not to bring any that are poisonous. I think wall art is a great idea but why not have art the kids make. Also engage them in setting it up. There's a lot to learn in the doing. Hang a beautiful rug on the wall. Or have the kids bring in a piece of fabric or old clothing they like but no longer wear, cut it up and put a piece of each together inside a frame or frames. Crazy quilt art. Include them. If they help choose or create what is there the more at ease and invested they will be in everything about your class.

Oh, I may have that wrong. There are two that sold, one at the above price, the other at $1 million. But there is also one listed for an auction that starts later this month. I hope they make the maximum.

As an ex-smoker who can actually catch a whiff of cigarette smoke from a passerby and kind of like it, I cannot stand the long term smell. My brother stays with me sometimes and he smokes, outside, windows closed and my apt. always ends up smelling like an ashtray cause he smells like one.

Otoh, a friend has a nice apt. in a new building. Her next door neighbor is a heavy smoker and tho you can smell the smoke in the hallway the odor never travels into her place.

I think the answer lies in the age of the building. If it's radiator heat it will be less of an issue from that standpoint. Things like wooden floors vs concrete, individual heat or ac systems vs building wide... well, all the possibles ppl have mentioned. If you can smell their cooking you can smell their smoke.

I searched the site for a bit and can't find any info on cleaning rayons or cottons whose colors run like melting ice. I hand wash already, but there are a few things (a cool thrift store silk velvet coat, a handpainted silk scarf and a hand dyed patchwork cotton jacket) that I'm afraid I'll ruin if I handwash.

Anyone have suggestions? Even tho I go to a dry cleaner that doesn't use perc but the cost of dry cleaning is, well, ouch.

Paint over the pink.

Remove the doors on the upper cabinet and use as display/bookshelves.

Put some thin wood molding to cover the curvy stuff (blech!) but make sure it's removable.

Change out handles/knobs.

Paint the bedroom walls something other than mint.

The piece itself isn't bad, it's all the details that scream at you. It does look like the kinds of cupboards that various farm family members have had in their pantries. I think the basic piece is rather straightforward and charming.

I agree that any permanent changes are not fair to the landlord unless s/he agrees to them. Maybe ask?

fwiw, i think the bags are cloth, not paper. and with cfl bulbs they aren't a hazard. they also appear to be propped off the bulb, which means air is circulating around them. my guess is that she is a great deal smarter than you are assuming. she's managed to make it to grandmotherhood and continued to be creative and canny. i think she rocks.

I've used a push reel mower for years. They are lightweight, particularly compared to the alternatives. They are quiet and easy to maintain. Also completely different from the alternatives. To keep them in good shape make sure you clean the blades when done mowing, oil as needed, store in a dry place and once a year get the blades sharpened. That shouldn't cost more than $15. I do it myself with a Dremel so avoid that cost as well.

Depending on your lease agreement (condo? a bit confused here) you can also get rid of the 'grass' and put in lots of beautiful shrubbery and flowers. If you want a space to use for relaxing purchase some pavers and make a nice space for yourselves. Grass is an eco disaster. Uses up lots of resources to keep it green and provides very little in ecological payback. If you can get rid of it do so. Plus, putting in a variety of beautiful plants (look for local garden clubs and seed sharing organizations to get cheap or free plants as well as good advice for your location) means you will attract lots of wildlife, birds in particular. You also gain some privacy and beauty instead of the boring hard work of mowing a lawn.

I have reduced my grass to a small percentage of the plot and only left it because the landlord requested it.

Embrace it. I once lived in an apartment that the landlord had recently papered with black and white hideously faux Toulouse Lautrec "pattern" of men in tux's and paired with plump naked women. He wouldn't allow me to remove it so I painted the walls whorehouse red, all the trim black and got the reddest, fluffiest rug and toilet seat cover. It was hilarious and cheered me enormously. If it's bad and you have to live with it, go to town and make it fun.

I think that unpainted wood trim should be seen as a neutral and go from there. What colors are you considering?

I can't visualize (my failing) what color(s) would be a hideous clash. I dunno, zebra stripes might look vile. ;-p

The blinds seem to be the same, or similar color? Are you going to continue using them or hang drapes? If you cover the windows with floor length curtains the trim will be less obvious. Artwork or fabric on the door can diminish the effect of the wood as well. AT just had an article about covering walls with fabric and starch. I suggest searching for as many optical tricks you can find to minimize the volume of wood.

Situation dependent. Close friend you know would like or understand it, yes. If yer not sure, stick to tidying up after yourself and let it go. Er, maybe if there's a few dishes in the sink and you're cleaning your own it would be a nice gesture to clean the others. But really only if there's a couple pieces, not a sink full.

I used to dog site for pay and would always clean the house at the end. Not cause of being messy but cause I know how nice it is to come home to a clean house. But that's an entirely different kettle of fish.