vlw's Profile

Display Name: vlw
Member Since: 9/25/09

Latest Comments...

I agree with getting some bookshelves or some kind of screen to sort of "wall" off the space without necessarily completely walling it in. Even a Chinese folding screen at the end of the bed to create a separate space from the kitchen would be good.

And more pillows, some kind of shelves above the bed, perhaps? Or a large art piece.


How To Successfully Swap Bedroom and Living Room Functions? Good Questions
11/29/12 2:14 PM

Any friend or family member comfortable enough to stop over with such little notice already knows my level of tidiness, or lack therof and since I don't have shallow, ridiculous friends, it works out just fine.


5 Tips to Make Your House Appear Cleaner Than It Is
11/22/12 11:53 PM

The recessed lighting will help a lot, I think, too, and painting just the mantle and maybe some trim around windows/doors white. Another thought: bring in some wide, white baseboards or a white trim around the top of the ceiling, especially if it's a decent height. Instead of the black grate in front of the fireplace, can you paint it or get something that is silver or light colored? Even a lighter gray would help brighten that up some. Finally, maybe get a white slipcover or some large white throws for your couch and some white throw pillows. Bringing in bright accents will up the contrast against the darker ambience of the room and don't require as much commitment.


Should We Paint Paneling & Fireplace? Good Questions
11/18/12 6:03 PM

Oh, and another option: get a roll-down curtain thing, paint a silly peep show silhouette on it, and pull that down when you go into the bathroom. I'm a fan of playing with the humor of a situation.


How Can I Add Privacy to Glass Bathroom Door? Good Questions
11/2/12 10:03 AM

Paint it with stripes going horizontally, with wide stripes at key heights so you'll get a fun plaid effect and still have privacy. The pattern will do enough to distort and hide without filtering out all of the light. Try it with painters/duct tape first for a non-permanent trial period and to figure out how wide to make the stripes.


How Can I Add Privacy to Glass Bathroom Door? Good Questions
11/2/12 9:57 AM

I'm disgusted by the attitude of the developer, but I don't think we should dictate what someone can do with their property, within reason. How much of a disturbance will the destruction and construction cause for the surrounding neighbors? How much of an environmental impact on the land? Those should be a factor--do what you want, so long as it doesn't harm others or their property. But people do need to learn accountability and consequences, so make the developer prove the benefit is far more to the community than the drawbacks.


Should Preservationists Have a Say in What You Can Do with Your Home?
10/29/12 1:14 PM

White. Nice contrast, gives more of a reflected light, and will brighten up the room, plus add some geometric dimension and interest.


What Color To Paint Window Recesses? Good Questions
10/29/12 1:04 PM

Storage for all my supplies. Something that's easy and portable (even in the house), but easy to tuck away.
Frames and mats in various sizes (but already made to fit in the frames) would be awesome, too.
Gift cards to Michaels and various arts/craft stores.


DIYers! Tell Us...What's On Your Wishlist?
10/29/12 1:01 PM

You could put in a large, fake fireplace and shelves on either side. Or do a couple large, potted plants in there with a chair, looks like there's a window nearby which would provide at least some natural light.

Display a large piece of art in the center, along with a comfortable chair. I also like the idea of a bar area there, or the mini library--do the shelves across each side of the opening, with a comfortable chair and a small table and lamp in the middle. They don't have to be confined to the space, you could extend it out with (again) plants on each side of the opening and the ottoman there. Put something funky and fun on top of the nook, like something sculptural or a collection you want to display but not get broken.

If you're going to do storage, I'd add doors to it, somehow; I think curtains look cheap in that function, personally.

Or make it a kind of shelf space not just for a library, but a kind of curiosities--put something more exotic in there, things you or other people have picked up from their travels, etc.

Most importantly, though, I don't know that you have to confine anything to within the space; let the doorway simply be a larger frame for whatever you do that can extend out.


Ideas for Weird Nook in New Loft? Good Questions
10/26/12 11:16 AM

As an editor and a book lover, I have no problem with books as decoration, whether read or not; no one said they had to be read to still be enjoyed.

And, I stack things on top of books, too, because I have enough books (some read, some to-be read) that I have no other place to put them.

It's a thing I love, but I'm getting sick of seeing blackboard paint everywhere, so I don't foresee loving it for long.

The "thrift store" or "grandma" kitschy retro look is another pet peeve of mine. It's one thing when stuff comes together naturally, but when it's a deliberate "cozy" feeling, it doesn't feel cozy so much as stuffy.

Windows without curtains or blinds (even though I think blinds are ugly). Privacy is a good thing; we don't need to see into your home and your life any more than we have to see everything you eat on Facebook.

And I agree with the person who said too-bright lighting.


What's Your Design Pet Peeve?
6/20/12 3:41 PM

I'm from Kentucky. What are these things called "shoes?"


Etiquette at Home: Solutions to The Great Shoe Debate
10/21/11 11:52 AM

I love this idea! I think the execution is all in how they're grouped, too. I could see turning some upright for planters, punch holes in a pattern and add fairy lights or candles that would give a glow, and some for some storage, all grouped together as a kind of functional art/sculpture.


Coathooks In The Can
5/25/11 11:01 PM

Personally, I'd put some kind of plant in front of the windows on either side of the fireplace--either a tallish tree or a hanging one, something easy maintenance, but that would add some color, which would pull out the light accents of green in the chairs and pillow.
Curtains on the large window and in the dining room, but tie it with a ribbon or something in the middle when you want the light.


Should We Hang Curtains In Low Light Rooms?
Good Questions

5/25/11 10:39 PM

I have the window problem--right in the shower, in fact-- and I have a basic white shower curtain in there. It looks fine from the outside, and since the regular shower curtain covers the cut off bottom from the inside, it works for me.

I second the plants suggestion for the kitchen or doing a stained glass-- you can do a faux stained glass with colored plastic wrap like they use for gift baskets.


Perfect Window Treatments for the Kitchen or Bathroom?
5/14/11 12:53 AM

I love it. Also, as an editor who MAKES books, I also have no qualms whatsoever about destroying them, either. Books have a multitude of uses, and only some are destined to become rare books. Also, any reason to keep making the hard copies and not go to digital, i.e. people buying more books--whether to replace their "rug" copies or for any other reason-- I'm all for. :)

Another way in which Kindles just don't quite give the same tactile experience.


A Literal Literary Lining for Your Living Room Floor
4/15/11 7:16 PM

I agree, beef up the mantle, and add columns to it, even on either side of the insert. Then, I'd paint the walls whatever color you want, and then build bookshelves in on either side and even, if you wanted, over the top.


Apartment Therapy DC | Refurbishing Dated Fireplace Insert? Good Questions
9/25/09 4:56 PM

Get some of his first initial like everyone else said, and some ampersand signs, and combine them together.


Apartment Therapy San Francisco | Ideas to Make Collection Unobtrusive? Good Questions
9/25/09 4:15 PM