firecracker's Profile

I'm with Tracy333. That first picture creates interest, but when there are only five photos total, why is one is a close-up of stacked cigar boxes and another just a partial view of clothes? Makes me feel like this is a wasted opportunity... or that the rest of the space isn't worth seeing.

This is a great, realistic post. Before my latest move last month, I combed through tons of articles (many on AT) about labeling boxes and such, and it was such a waste. I spent so much time and effort organizing on the packing side, and then the professional movers ignored my directions! Now I'm in full procrastination mode on the other end. I think narrowing your focus down to how you will live once you get to the new place is much more important - these tips are great.

And I absolutely second opening every box and holding off on TV.

Happy is a cute store and I'm happy (no pun intended) to have it as part of the weird retail strip on Hollywood. I was actually in there the day after AT visited (but before it showed up on the site) and the owner was telling me about the visit, but I was underwhelmed. Everything is overpriced, but not so unique that you couldn't find it elsewhere. The inventory is great for gifts, but only if you don't have time to look around.

One sticking point for me was that she would not honor her sale pricing. There were signs all over the store (and outside) advertising a sale, I picked something out from that section specifically. But when I checked out, she would not give me the lower price, saying that she "forgot to take the signs down" and that the sale was already over. Ummm... Happy is like 5x10ft and we'd been chatting it up the whole time I was shopping... she couldn't have mentioned that sooner, or just taken the signs down when the sale actually ended?

I don't mean to come across as cheap in this review, since it really would have only saved me like 4 bucks and she was friendly throughout the process. But I didn't appreciate the bait-and-switch, especially when I could have gotten that exact item on Amazon. I was there specifically to help out a local store with allegedly great customer service and expected better.

I'll probably go back, but heads up.

Some of these are gorgeous rooms, but am I missing something? None really has symmetry (at least not shown in these particular photos).

I guess if you're really a fan of pillows on a wall, literally, it works, but there's no depth or trompe-l'oeil here... this is a definite miss for me.

At first glance I thought it was the book wall at Literati on Wilshire - http://www.literaticafe.com/ . Obviously different texture but the effect is surprisingly similar...

I'm thinking that the "Skilled Men" version would be welcome in the bedroom...

Is the windchime suggestion a joke? I'll have to see it to believe it.

I hated these little keys until I discovered an untapped use as a cord organizer. I have a vintage sideboard-turned-media-console that shows everything behind its little MCM legs. I took the lot of these I had and screwed them into the back of the cabinet, securing with a little caulk when needed. Then I draped the power cords over them. It's somewhat of a Macgyver approach, but it keeps cords off the floor and out of sight.

BTW, taping them to the actual furniture is clever! I never even considered that and always end up with the suckers stuffed into random drawers...

Impressive! It would also be great (although lose a lot of the drama) in tonal colors, like cream on white. I'd love that in the bedroom.

In the meantime, I'm stealing this idea to paint on the safety of a giant canvas, since my rendition would absolutely turn out like Lucy and Ethel's (great reference robyn!), and my landlord would not be happy. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ever since the "Keep Calm" poster started sparking controversy on AT (seriously, it's like waving a red flag in front of the AT bulls), I've thought it was perfect for work. Nice to see the artwork applied there.

Maybe there should be a post only about "Keep Calm and Carry On." Let the debate rage and settle this thing once and for all.