Ringleader's Profile

The church pew and narrow "log" table is ingenious in that tight space. Mixing in oversize pieces like the large mirror avoids that dollhouse look that many small apartments get. Great apartment.

You can simply tuck the skirt under the sofa with some tacks. Slit the skirt at the corners, neatly fold like a gift package wrap and tuck under. Professionally clean it first. You can get the bottom cushions restuffed by an upholsterer for little cash. They do it all the time as that is the first thing to wear out. Take one cushion in for an estimate.

I am a empty nester also. I do one load of towels per week and one load of sheets. Usually another load of jeans, and another of whites (undies) and one of colors. I have LG washer/dryer which are the best and most energy efficient that I have ever owned. In the past I had three boys at home. The laundry was mountainous. I did at least two loads a day and many days three or four with linens plus clothing. The boys helped by dragging their laundry to the laundry room. They were very good at helping fold and stow it all also. They each left for college knowing how to do laundry.

I do not use detergent every time I wash items. I like to use cheap white vinegar instead of detergent alternately which cuts the buildup and leaves towels, napkins, kitchen linens and sheets soft. I learned this from my mom when I used cloth diapers for my sons and the detergent buildup would irritate their baby bottoms. You cannot do this on really filthy clothes or linens. My sons do this also with their own clothing including stinky racket ball shirts and socks.

An upholstered headboard with the lamps attached would permit the closing of the curtain. Otherwise this is a great solution to add storage.

I just bought a huge buffet service from Neiman Marcus for a super price for the holidays. Less than $90 with free shipping, service for twelve. My china seems more formal as time goes by and needed something simple with plenty of dinner plates.

Auto shops use metal paint usually in the form of powder coat. If the furniture which you wish to be refinished is wood or plastic, the powder coat which is heated would not fuse with the wood grain and warp the wood. If you are looking for the super smooth finish for wood try a cabinet shop which has the spray equipment for the type of paint used on cabinets. I just had metal outdoor furniture powder coated and it is great for metal furniture.