tarao's Profile

I started re-reading my copy of the book over the weekend and what I found so inspiring was Maxwell's description of his apartment in Little Italy - and how "fixing" that helped him to open up and move forward in so many other areas of his life. I can't wait to start using and emptying my Outbox!

Well - I just posted all my before and some after pics...and the before's are pretty bad. I just realized there's nothing like taking a pic to show you the truth! I did want to ask - I'm not sure how they end up on the group page? Could someone explain that to me?

Lorijo - I came in late onto your kitchen dilemma, but would like to help. Kitchens are challenging. What exactly are you trying to do? How do you want to configure your cabinets on your sink wall? 42" is still a multiple of 3" - and most stock cabinets come in multiples of 3". Another alternative to beadboard the walls behind your counter is decorative tin ceiling material. It looks great left natural or finished. A little country - but if you use it with more modern cabinets and fixtures you can balance that.

Gina - I work as a project manager at a kitchen design studio. It looks like the glass in the pic is milk glass. Your best bet is to call a couple glass companies in your area and tell them what you're looking for. I'd ask if you can fax them over a drawing of what you want. Then make up a drawing showing dimension. For example, a rectangle showing a height of 36" x width of 48" - whatever the measurements of what you want for your space. If you ask them to quote a drawing it can be less expensive than the square foot price (its the same with countertops and stoneyards). Definately check with your condo board like a previous poster suggested though - I know in some areas its against code to use a mirror as a backsplash or glass. And do not use plexiglass. If you have a viking or a wolf or a professional gas stove it can get hot enough to melt.
After you get at least 3 quotes ask for advice about install from the person you decide to go with. You may want them to silicone caulk the edges - and you may need them to drill holes to mount to walls - I'm not sure. But you want to keep condensation from getting behind there. They should have some ideas. - Hope that helps!

I can't wait to start! I've sent an email to a few of my girlfriends hoping to get them on board!

I think everyone is being a bit harsh. He may have not had space before and now that he does, could just have more bookshelves than he has books. He might go to the library alot.
Anyway, send your client to the Strand. Its a great place to go when you aren't looking for anything specific. Start him (or her) in the art/architecure/photo books - or just browsing the tables. Just make sure he checks out the rare book room upstairs too. He spends an hour or two there that should get him a good start. And if he enjoys it send him to other used bookstores.

Or - ask him to list a bunch of topics he's interested in and go from there. If he likes cars - go from there. If he likes WW2 or Virginia Plantation homes... there's plenty to start with. I think that if you stick mainly to art and photo books it should be pretty easy. Then make him grab some fiction. I do think the grouping by color is a good idea. And I like National Geographics. I love the way mine look on my shelves and reference them all the time.

Nothing wrong with DVD's mixed in too. Alot of the cases are pretty nicely art designed now.

Just make sure you're putting stuff in there he has some background interest in or else he'll end up the deer in the headlight a previous poster was talking about.