Well that's a way to get your kids to finish their meals.

A hamper or the floor for me. I tend not to have chairs in bedrooms.

I suspect that if you had the right chair, it would hold more clothes than the top of a cedar chest. The chair should be upholstered, with arms that curve around in an embracing manner on which clothes can be draped.

I further suspect that if we went into ten established furniture stores and asked to see a bedroom chair for piling clothes, seven or more of the sales people would know exactly what we were talking about.

This is what exercise equipment like Bowflex or treadmills are for LDO.

Although I've never been able to generate the levels of self-deception that would enable me to spend money on exercise equipment, it would seem that such equipment would be perfect for this purpose.

Pefect. I am too much of a realist as well. And, yes, I do have a rather nice wood rocking chair that holds the requisite amount of clothes--and I have a coat tree that also serves the purpose nicely. Occasionally, though, I do have the desire to clean, so all the clothes go into the closet for at least one night.

I too have discovered coat trees and the ways they can be abused. Sometimes I'll throw a shirt on them "just for a minute" and it will still be there next week.

Shirts, pants, bathrobe--hell, they are versatile.

That's what the blue leather chair is for. I just tidied it up before I took the pic.

HH: Bonus points for saucy retort. Bully for you - don't let us men push you around.


On a closer look I see the Da Vinci scribble on the supposed profile of David. One is of the TOO famous picture of a man, yadda yadda...........as I said, passable. I do have a suggestion. Purchase a good print of one of Da Vinci's studies (usually done in pen and ink or silverpoint) done for one of his paintings. I will even suggest a very elegant one, one of Da Vinci’s best: Study for an Angel's Head for Madonna of the Rocks. Put it in a respectable and simple frame that emphasizes the drawing. By the way, I have this very print myself, though it leans against a wall, unhung (which may not be a word but I will use it anyway as the sexual innuendo is so juicy).


HH: That 'yellow' color must go. Blarg is correct (and his other observations are pretty much spot on) and if Blarg and I agree on something, which is rare, it is probably worth considering. I can't suggest a color without a broader look at the setting but off hand I will suggest a light tan or beige, or if you really want a tropical feel then some tone of blue-green, sea green, soft sky blue etc.

-Zeno

It is a Malibu Sofa. California Dreaming, so natually a bit over-the-top which is "normal" in La-La Land.


Link: http://www.thefurniture.com/store/png-malibu.htm


Take Blarg's advice. It will only work well in the right kind of setting.


-Zeno

First chair: Al Bundy Backyard Special.

Second chair: Getting there --

Bookcase: Actually better than anything I have. Simple, sturdy, and plain and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it is loaded with paperbacks. Hardback books Dave. Start on it now. The whiff of trailer trash is something to avoid.

Bed/Bedroom: Ok. Put something on the wall by the window above the glass table. No porn. No pictures of beer mugs either. Rethink that lamp.


That lamp/bed stand "really ugly... flower pattern "; I will take your word for it and hand out another Al Bundy Honorable Mention. Well done Dave.

-Zeno

I have a minor nit at the wrong color tie on the man on the right. The room overall is Slick, Sheik and Sophisticated. However, missing six lines of blow on the wood table between the two chairs. Two high-class babes, a tall saucy redhead and a Singapore femme fatale should occupy the chairs. Stir in some high balls for class. Mix and go.

-Zeno

"Sheik?"

Zeno,

It's supposed to be the 1962, so you must excuse the absence of drugs. BTW, the actors are Ewan McGregor and David Hyde Pierce, and the rest of the sets are equally cool.

. . . of Araby

What the Hell. The Sheik is missing from the picture.

-Zeno

Ok. Chic - You two happy now. I will not go into my spelling/grammar failings, which plague me to my chagrin quite often. I must say the irony is chilling.

Fish,

Overall a B+, a quality consistent theme pervades throughout. Now John Cole and Andy Fox would smirk into their hands some and do a bit and of eye rolling, but being gentleman they would keep comments to themselves and only on the sly. And if they did poke fun, it would be in a friendly and jovial manner and not mean-spirited. But that aside, the house is you and no need to apologize to anyone about that at all. Stick to your guns.

A few comments: Yellow paint should go, even if it is the basement. Use an off white; it will also brighten up the basement. Bonus points for the pronghorn on the wall and I think it deserves a more prominent place in your home.

The three pictures on the wall in a descending line are fine but the fish on either side need repositioning. Put the big fish on the other side of the Wal-Mart rack thingy. Place the smaller fish in the hallway or something. Also the cinderblock wall needs covering. Get some light wood paneling and cover it up. Knotty Pine would work. Then paint the other walls a color the matches well with the blue ceiling. Add more lighting. Use floor lamps with a western theme.

The large hour glass thingy by the TV - Shotgun that up please.


Super bonus points for the garish red tint lamps; they are the nuts. Hits that fine line and perfect blend of bad taste and wry humor that really sets off the room. Well done – You earned The Special John Cole Star of Approval. No one else got that. Be proud.

Keep shoot'em up.

-Zeno

Extra points for dead 'possum on the bed and KV shelving in the basement. (Can't figure out what the white and yellow things on the top shelf are. White thing looks like a volleyball with a face painted on it, yellow thing looks like an old-fashioned hard hat.)

A few thoughts – a person’s home is an extension of that individual and if put to critique it is natural and understandable that that individual feels the criticism. Same of course for the clothes you wear or the car you drive. We sometimes deny this on the surface, but the truth is plain…………if my abrasiveness and harsh tone caused some pain, well, don’t ask a misanthrope for a critique. But then, I took most of this as a somewhat tongue in cheek exercise, as I think some of my responses showed. However, in the spirit of goodwill, I will give some added honest advice - Especially to those on limited budgets.

Money can help, but class and elegance and a home that exudes what you wish it to be is something achievable by one and all. Little things add up. I’ll give a few examples.

Plants. Greenery adds a lot and it does not have to be something exotic or special. Plants add color and smells and house plants well placed, or interspersed with other items can really pick up a home and make it feel welcome and wholesome.

Prints/Posters/Photos. Many prints and posters or reprints of iconic photos can be had inexpensive and within anyone’s budget. Check out the fine ones at all museum stores for example. The Internet is a fine resource that all know about. You can just mount them carefully on cardboard and lean them about the home or hang them on walls or do the framing yourself. Be tasteful if possible, but if you like garish things then go ahead with the black velvet painting/poster of Elvis in the living room and be damn proud of it.

Rugs for floors and ‘Tapestry’ for walls are well within a limited budget. Rumble about numerous odd shops and used stores or even thrift shops as they sometimes have surprising things at a real value. Import style stores usually have good products at reasonable prices.

Have a consistent theme and coordinate accordingly.

Or not. Some people like the disheveled and the discordant, the outrageous and the garish, the bric-a-bracs, and the statuettes of the Prophet Samuel in Prayer. If you wish to shock and awe your guest then shock and awe the sh*t out of them. Put a lime-green 1965 Volkswagen beetle in the living room, hang a disco ball in the kitchen, glue huge bowie knives and axes to the living room walls, plaster porn on the bedroom ceiling, spray paint all the hallways in high gloss purple and yellow and green, put a used tire in the middle of the living room and stick giant plastic flowers in it. Don’t hold back. Sicken the whole world. It’s what it deserves anyway.

Le Misanthrope

Wow Zeno's reviews are amazing. I have about the least decorated house in the world, so I'll put some pics up tomorrow just for laughs and a possible ripping.

Gf is asleep in bedroom atm (possibly most decorated room), so here's a little taste until tomorrow:

Dining Room:



A - Window.

B - Clothes Hamper.

C - Light Fixture.

D - Bicycle.

E - Dog-stained carpet.

F - Dog toy.

Living Room:



View from loft.

A - Brown Microsuede Couch - dog has permanently toppled over a cushion.

B - Random White Comforter - attempt to keep doghair off couch.

C - Dog blanket.

D - Lamp.

E - TV and stand, complete with recently played SNES.

F - Lava Lamp.

G - Pillow I got as a gift to for couch.

H - Rat trap.

I - America, the Book.

J - 2+2 book collection.

K - See-thru white curtain.

L - Matching black leather electric recliners.

Taste of what? I see no pics. Taste of a taste of?

Hi Blarg, , long time.

What is the dog bone on your fireplace?