evenkhoward's Profile

I agree a bit that this post is both oversimplified and yet misses being a true sewing tutorial. A person who needs to have the step 'pick your fabric' likely also needs some visual instructions on which seams go first, matching pattern/stripes, creating an inner structure to appropriately support the accompanying outer fabric, etc.

The audience you target here isn't clear. I do like the design and could make it without the tutorial, but as a long time and professional seamstress I think this would be a challenge for a beginner as written.

I was excited to see what links you offer for bean bag fill because the problem I run into is that the price of filler ends up costing as much or more than these mid-range poufs pre-made. The amazon link provided would be more than $50 per pouf/beanbag, even if they were pretty small. Add in a 'cheap kilim rug' (I found one almost big enough for $90 at the cheapest on ebay just now) and you have a pretty expensive beginner sewing project. SewMamaSew doesn't seem to carry any upholstery weight fabrics (without which one would have a very different effect than the pictured versions). Purl's upholstery fabric would cost $47 (2.5yds) for enough for one pouf. Also, it would be more helpful to link to other actual beanbag projects using the alternative fills (or just list them yourself) than linking to a giant site that is just creating links for cash.

You may do readers a service by showing them how to actually make this ~$100 pouf step by step and make it *better* than the West Elm version.

I also suggest you sew it yourself, you'll likely be able to find a more exact color and stripe width that you like.
A duvet cover would be easy for a seamstress to make up for you if you can't do it yourself.
here's an instructable:
http://curbly.com/ModHomeEcTeacher/posts/4852-DIY-Sew-Your-Own-Chevron-Upholstery-Fabric/

my dream home! thanks for sharing it with an even wider audience--it really is an amazing work of art.

it's multiple sweaters that need a home at my house! the weather is always so variable, i end up with five sweaters on the couch 'just in case.' silly!

i'm not sure i'm looking forward to landing strip week, but i'll do my best!

blogging progress here:
http://evenhoward.wordpress.com

One of my friends already said he found my house for the first time by seeing the one with the most green and flowers out front! Hopefully that will continue to define our home on the inside as well as fall in CA is pretty mild and our plants are loving it.
I've been baking a lot more and I hope that that infuses the house with the senses of the season--spicy warmth and slowing down a bit.
progress here: evenhoward.wordpress.com

I'm glad they mentioned excessive processing and sweeteners. It's very possible to find brands that don't sweeten or sweeten with 'better' ingredients, but it definitely takes a label check. I think EdenSoy is the best brand of soy milk for this reason. Also, soybeans are one of the most heavily treated (pesticides) crops in the world. Given that, why buy or eat a soy product that isn't certified organic?

My personal preference is to alternate between almond milk and hemp milk. Almond milk can be found unsweetened in the Pacific brand and is light tasting.

They don't mention that goats' milk is naturally homogenous, thus taking out one of the processing steps of cows' milk. They also don't talk about raw vs pasteurized... Goats' milk can also be found locally and is more immediately palatable raw and fresh by those used to more traditional grocery store milk.

I have been using little condiment cups that I assume are stainless steel. The salt seems to have eaten the finish somewhat... is that possible? Anyway, back to my ceramic home made ones!

for Salon in SF:
I'm also in SF and we compost into a small green bin that lives under the sink.
These can be lined with a biodegradable 'plastic' bag which are bought at any grocery store if you are concerned about making it really easy on yourself.
We just put food directly in the bin, but we do dump ours into a paper bag and then roll it up to place it in the big outside bin. These keeps down the smell. We do have to rinse the little one out.
The other thing to make it easier is to place some paper (like used paper towel or napkin) in the bottom of the bin. This way the food slides out easily when it's time to put out.
We rinse it with vinegar if it is stinky, but it really hasn't been an issue.

to respond to some of the above...

Florescent lights are considered preferable in Japan as they look 'clean' as opposed to more western lighting styles which, in the home, often go for soft/dim. In Japan, light=wealth and cleanliness, dim=cheap and dirty (to generalize, of course).

Also, I think it is very likely their closets are full of their 'daily life' as in my experience, even very architecturally interesting and modern homes in Japan haven't yet hit the American trend of organizing 'hidden' spaces like closets and private rooms.

For example, entertaining in the kitchen is very rare and when I had this style of kitchen (guests could see into it), it was actually shocking for some of my guests. After seeing some of their kitchens and closets, I know why! Even wealthy and minimalist aesthetic people didn't extend that sparseness and clarity to their closets and kitchens and private rooms the way that Americans seem to strive towards doing.

this would be wonderful for crafts... i often use a much less lovely 'many tote bags on hooks in the closet' in a similar way. these are great--wood and fabric aesthetic plus the backpack reference just seems fun.