I'm A Single Guy - And My Place Looks Great!
76
The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously. ---Nicholas Murray Butler
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The title of this hub is true. Men and women alike come into my environment and they like what they see. Most women do not agree with my style, but they do not deny the results. Men just go "Awesome!"
The belief that men cannot decorate their homes is a myth perpetuated by women. What they really mean is men cannot decorate like women.
This is absolutely true.
The reason for this is because of the difference in the ways men and women think. Most women decorate in "Form Over Function" mode. Men do the complete opposite. I came to this realization after cooking in a couple of restaurants. A professional kitchen is set-up for ease of use, convenience and speed. Pots and pans are hung close to where they are used - easily accessible - and the same goes for cooking utensils, herbs, spices and seasonings. All are kept within easy reach.
I do not understand the accepted belief that men are generally not creative or artistic. If you look at the plethora of professional artistic fields you will find a predominant amount of talented men: Painters, sculptors, chefs, musicians, carpenters, craftsmen, actors, swordsmiths, directors, designers, draftsmen, tailors, photographers, writers, jewelers, metal workers, graphic designers, engineers, landscapers, animators, botanists, glass blowers...
The list goes on and on...
The Functional Kitchen
The first thing I do when setting up a new kitchen is to choose the wall closest to the stove and hang my pots, pans and cooking utensils there. If there's a cupboard above the stove, I take the doors off. This is where I keep herbs, spices, vinegars, baking soda, etc. Then I take the doors off the cupboard closest to the stove. This is where my plates, glasses and cups are kept (be sure to store these doors where you can find them as you'll want to put them back on when you move). Taking the doors off of these cupboards extends your work area, opens up your kitchen and makes it look bigger. I, personally, love the way a kitchen set up in this way looks. And even if you're not a chef, or even a very good cook, a kitchen like this will make it look like you are... and may even inspire you to do a little more cooking.
I knew I wanted to find brick wallpaper for the wall on which I had my pots and pans hanging. This gives any kitchen a very cool, "Italian kitchen" look. But I was having no luck finding any wallpaper that I liked - or even close. Then, while I was walking through Home Depot, headed toward the Wall Decor section, I was stopped in the flooring section. There, were numerous laminate brick and rock flooring samples of all styles, textures and colors.
Why not?
I picked out a Porto Alegre Tuscany Canyon style I liked, purchased just a small amount - enough for one small wall, took it home and put it up with a staple gun. It was foamy; easy to cut and went up easily. Over this rock-covered wall I hung (use medium-sized nails with smallish heads. Hooks pose a problem when putting things away and taking them down) all my cooking tools: Skillets, pots, lids, and cooking utensils of all sorts (it helps if these match - mine are all black and of the same brand).
It looked Great! And I did it myself... for a very reasonable price.
When I hang pictures in the kitchen they are typically pictures of restaurants, herbs posters or menus. The internet is a great resource for this or pick up menus from your favorite restaurant (most will give you one, if asked). And they're framed, or course. A new idea I've been thinking about is pictures of blossoms or plants which create herbs, spices or foods, such as oyster mushrooms, saffron flowers, etc. I don't know yet... it's still in the idea phase.
The kitchen is also where I keep any recipe or food-related books; Breads, sauces, How to Cook Everything, Nestle's Chocolate Cook Book (I'm not lying!), etc. They're either on a shelf put up specifically for them, or in one of the open cupboards.
"Pictures at an Exhibition"
This is the easy part. In a nut shell: Hang posters, paintings, photos, etc at eye level, and hang them straight across - gallery style, and always in a frame. Non-framed pictures, of any kind, stuck on a wall is for teenagers. You want your pictures at eye level (or even a couple of inches lower) because 1: They're easier for you and guests to see at this level. And 2: The lower you hang your pictures, the higher your ceiling will look. It's a cool optical illusion and works in any size room.
Please don't "stagger" your pictures. It is grossly outdated and looks ridiculous. The 60's fad of hanging pictures close to the ceiling and staggering them if there's more than one never seemed to go away with some people, did it?
I learned this trick after visiting an incredible museum at The Farmer's Market in San Francisco. The concept was as clear as day to me. I could easily see everything hanging on the walls - and I was very young and short at the time. It made sense - which I liked, and it was regal looking - which I also liked.
Something I've found to be true is that larger framed pictures look the most impressive. The bigger the better. Even in smaller rooms. And I found every one of my large wooden frames at yard sales.
I was given a really cool T-shirt one year by a roommate. He got it for me for my birthday at a stupidly-overpriced hippie shop. It was acid-washed purple and on the front was a realistic-looking painting of two poison-dart frogs. It was an awesome shirt and I loved it. The problem was, it was extra large. So after hanging on to it for a couple of years and wearing it now and then to laze around the house in, I got the inspiration to display it. I cut the front away from the rest of the shirt, stretched it onto the backing of a large-sized frame I had and hung it on the wall. I've received more compliments on that frogs picture than I have on anything else on my walls.
Try to be consistent, where your frames are concerned, in any one room. Decide what you like best - be it pewter, wood, stainless steel, whatever - and buy frames only made of that material. If you already have a bunch of random frames but would like for them to match, get some spray paint, darker colors look best, and paint them.
Swords
Swords look great hanging on the wall, but the same rule applies as with pictures. Don't hang a sword without a display frame or at least a sword rack. If you've got a fireplace and only one blade, it must be hung over the fireplace. If you do not, a Scotsman will come find you and give you "a right-good thrashing."
It's TRADITION!!
Let the Light In
Interior decorators will spend a lot of time, effort and money on "window treatments." Personally, the only thing I need over a window are blinds. The only thing I use curtains for is to enlarge the look of my windows. I Buy a sturdy curtain rod that's about two feet longer than the window and hang my curtains at the very edges of this rod, making sure they cover the very edges of the window. The advantages of this are two-fold. With no curtains covering any part of my window, I get all the light from said window. With the curtains extended a foot on either side, it looks like my window is two feet longer than it really is.
If you want to try this, your curtains have to be at least as long, or longer, than the window is tall. This also works with shutters, but they should be roughly the same height (or you can use two sets) as the window. With shutters, wood looks great but you can paint them any color to match your decor. Hang the shutters right against the outside edges of your window frame. Obviously, you can't use shutters and curtains.
Mirrors
Mirrors make a room look bigger. The bigger the mirror and the more of them there are, the greater the affect. Mirrors also reflect light so you don't need to use as much electricity.
The coolest affect I've ever seen done with mirrors was in an issue of Apartment Life Magazine (way back when I was married and Pong was just being launched). Three tall and framed arched mirrors (see right) were placed on an otherwise empty wall. They were hung so that they stood flat on the floor, were perfectly spaced and appeared to be at least six feet tall. This gave the illusion of another room on the other side of the arched and columned divider.
Lighting
Of course, a sunroof is what most people want, including me, but lighting in a home typically consists of table or floor lamps. Personally I like floor lamps because they free-up table space more important things, like reading material, snack bowls or the video game controller. Lighting is also the aspect of decorating in which you can be the most creative. And led rope lighting is the most fun to experiment with. They can be placed in all kinds of places - purely for affect, or for safety, like lining a staircase.
A cool thing I did with rope lights was to place a string of yellow ones under my kitchen counter. It looked incredible and gave me enough light to see without always having to turn the overhead on.
And not to be overlooked; this kind of low, alternative lighting is very romantic!
The "Showroom" Syndrome
If you were to see my sister's living room you would be impressed. It's well-furnished with all the latest - and expensive - furniture, wall hangings, window treatments, lamps, etc. She did it all herself, but it looks like a professional decorator did it...
That's because one did.
If you scan the latest home decor magazines and/or search the furniture stores, you're bound to see the latest version of my sister's living room... and her kitchen, den and bedroom. There is no arguing with the fact that her home looks nice, but it is not inviting, warm or cozy, and it says nothing about the person, or persons, who live there. It could just as easily be anyone else's living room in anyone else's home... and probably is.
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Make it Your Own
If you were to walk into my living room the first thing you would say is "You sure can tell who lives here." I know this from experience. My environment reflects the things I do and the things I'm interested in and is always evolving. There are swords on the wall, paintings which my brother (who is a federal inmate) did specifically for me, a home gym or work-out equipment in the room - where I use them while watching TV. There is dark polished wood and brass everywhere you look, because I like dark polished wood and brass. Natural light floods the room from the wide-open windows and is reflected from the numerous mirrors. The books I've read, or am in the process of reading, are in the bookcase and hanging somewhere, in a frame, is either a Zildjian or a poster of the latest V-drums (electronic/computerized drums) I've been drooling over, and there are always a pair of drumsticks (Pro Mark - Jazz) close at hand.
The computer and the TV are both prominent in the room because I use both frequently, and the smells of coffee and cooking food are frequently in the air. You're also sure to be subjected to the scents of Dragon Slayer essential oil (patchouli/amber/musk) and that of a wax tart which is typically melting in the dragon & wizard tart warmer. The scent is usually sage & citrus (my favorite) but I'll often experiment with a new scent if I come across one that sounds interesting. I don't think I'll ever completely get over the trappings of hippieism. And, I don't care!
It is a warm, clean (OK, maybe I don't dust as often as I should), thoroughly enjoyable place to be.
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Comments
Thanks for reading, Pam. I'm glad you liked the tips. Decorating is so subjective, so I never know, you know?
It's also good to hear you don't "stagger." Be honest; does your mom? Mine used to, but I finally got her past it.
The "taking the doors off" trick also works with a closet, if you've got a small bedrrom.
LOL, yes I think my mom does indeed stagger! ;) And she likes burnt orange shag too. :D I'm glad to hear that you saved your mom. :)
Sheesh! I'm still dumbfounded that I never thought about taking doors off of cabinets before. I really can see how that would make a huge difference. Thanks for telling me about closets too. And using flooring for the wall is another awesome idea.
Maybe you should think about doing a series of decorating hubs for guys.
Burnt orange shag!!! OMG! We were just laughing about that very thing last New Year's Eve.
Don't feel bad. No one ever thinks about taking the doors off of a cupboard of closet or anything. Even if they're a problem. The simplest solution just never occurs to most people.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't know enough about decorating to do a series. What's in this hub is pretty much all of it... unless I think of something else.
The flooring on the wall is my favorite recent idea because it opens up the choices drastically. Cool wallpaper is very hard to find and very expensive if you do,not to mention a pain in the ass to put up, but flooring comes in lots of different styles and textures and is available everywhere.
If I ever get divorced, can I move in with you?
I can't say that I am and I tend to eat whatever's in the frig, even if you put a big note on it saying it's yours.
My mom put that shag in this cabin bfore we ought it frm them and that was the first thing we tore out!!! I like your ideas there! My place never looks like a showroom and I don't realy like the coldness I feel when I do go to someones home and they have it that way.
I like it to be lived in--not trashy, but not spotlessly clen either. I think what they do as selling ahouse and cleaing it up to make it slook lke a showroom is wrong. I like it to be full of things a fgamily needs and does becasue if I were to put my furniture and live in it I would like to see what that would look lke before I would purchase it....nto that I am in for bying a n=house... I think it adds the charm and doesn't take away from it.
CW I wrote you an emial about your coffe and creamer.......I hope that you got it.
-GT, Oh! I uh... have a big dog in my spare room... he, uh... hates everybody. It would never work.
-Lady. I couldn't agree with you more. I like walking into an empty apartment, that way I can fully picture in my head all the possibilities. I haven't checked my HP emailbox yet, thanks for letting me know, but I'll do that right away. Glad you liked the hub!
I too find the taking off cabinet doors as fascinating. I always bump my head on those damb things. I also don't have doors on my closet, but that's just because there were none in the first place. I'm afraid of hanging anything in my apartment though cause I never know what to hang my pictures with. Nails? tape? tacs? I don't know. Besides, hanging stuff is not gonna help the fact that my couch looks like it was made of flanel shirts... it's true.
Thanks for reading, Foxility. Use small to medium nails. Tacs or tape won't hold a frame. So, your couch looks like flannel shirts... pick out one of the prominent colors and paint your frames to match it.
Years ago a friend took the doors off her cabinets because she wanted to show off her collection of dishes and glassware. Looked so good I took mine off too. One cabinet was wide enough that I stuck the microwave on the bottom shelf to save counter space. That was in a house that came with fake (foam) bricks on the wall behind the stove. Being fake, the natural "red" looked horrible, so I painted them a creamy off white, which looked *great*. Now I live in an small apartment with high ceilings but limited storage and display space. So I went UP. Baskets on top of the kitchen cabinets hold (and hide!) hand towels and whatever else; others only hold clumps of silk grape leaves trailing over the sides for an Italian garden effect. But the trick that gets the most comments are the 7 ft bookshelves *above* the door to the bedroom and the living room window. (3 ft of blank wall would go to waste otherwise). Now I'll have to try some of your tips that I'd never heard of. THANKS!
-Jama, sounds very familiar, and sounds like you're already on top of making the most of limited space!
One question; How do you reach anything in the 7 foot bookshelves "above" the door?
Very impressive..a smart man you are...I have done all the things you talked about...In my kitchen pots and pans have hung for a long time and I set it up just like you said.. On my one wall behind the kitchen table ( wooden) I tore up old nautical maps and used as wallpaper and have many nautical pictures and things on the wall
Also like dark colored woods and have a gallery in my livingroom of paintings done by family and friends actually some of my own too :O) Although I do curtains they are on my closet opening since I removed the doors and put in a organized closet unit and wooden floors...
Yep it is so fun to be to be yourself...and everyone says my house is so welcoming and homey...which makes me feel good...like today a friend stopped by and I was in the middle of homemade cinnamon rolls with a nice fire going...so we sat and had tea and cookies I made yesterday...well my daughter and her family are coming to visit tomorrow :O) LOL hee hee no but really I love to cook and bake...
Also since is not a huge house I took the frontroom coat closet and made it into a cookbook library...something you didn't mention and that I could never be without is a Pantry...Love my pantry...
Nicely done Hub am proud of you...Thanks...G-Ma :o) hugs & Peace
Wow G-ma, we are equally creative! The closet/library is an excellent idea. I'll remember that.
I don't have a fireplace (am very envious) but I plan to get this Heat Surge heater/fireplace (the cherry wood finish) as soon as I can, with the hearth and mirror. Does anything say warm & cozy better than a fireplace?
https://www.heatsurgetv.com/accessories.cfm
Hey CW! This is a fascinating tour of your home and also reveals so much about your personality, ideas and family. You could definitely give the Fab 5 a run for their money in the decorating dept. And the brother in federal prison (is that for real?) and the sister who appears to be an interior decorator (I hope she doesn't read HubPages:-). Quite a glimpse into CW's world!
I'm having to restrain myself from coming up to see (and smell) for myself. Mmm. Citrus and sage. Yummmo! If I get divorced can I come live with you, too? I think you, Goldentoad and I would get along really well! MM
Great idea, MM, our rent would be even cheaper.
Heck yeah! Oregon prices vs. California prices? We'd save a fortune! Not to mention how much FUN we'd all have!!!
You have a good eye and some great tips. Do you ever use the 'baking cookies' trick to make it smell homely? :-)
I could just imagine your place! Clean, streamlined, uncluttered and very very sensible! And great practical tips, too - I wish I could make use of them in practice for I usually work with what's available. to quote Hannibal Lecter: "What I want is a view. I want a window where I can see a tree, or even water" - a window is all I want! and a computer of course :D
If you want Cris, you can move in to, it would lower the costs of living for MM and myself even more, and we'll let you have a window spot, for your necessary hubbing breaks.
Hell yeah! A spot would be fine, heck i can even live in a sewer just as long as I have connection - a view of cute rats and whatnots plus endless streaming of water! but a spot in a real house as nice as Constant's would be super! I could die a happy hubber! :D
Well now that you mentioned dying a happy hubber you might want to check out his little link in the previous comments when I first proposed the idea.
Cris would make an excellent addition to the household. You know, of course, that it's BYOS (bring your own sword)? And we have to promise not to put the cabinet doors back on. I hope CW doesn't mind! Do you???
Oh I totally don't mind - just as long as he doesnt turn necrophiliac on me while I'm hubbing! I so totally hate distractions - not even mild ones!
So I guess, the window's mine? And I take it that the plants outside beneath it is my responsibility - i'm now dreaming of growing organic veggies!
As for the cabinet - i have no use for them with or without doors - i usually store everything i need within arm's length!
So when can I move in?
Well we have to wait till we're single, but CW might be working up a renter's agreement for you as we speak.
Wonderful hub! In my bedroom when I was growing up, I had a big mirror that stood on the floor. I loved it, because it made it seem like there was an extra room. We also had a mirror above the fireplace that was flush with the top of the mantle for the same effect.
As far as prints/posters for your kitchen with plants for cooking on them, may I suggest one that I personally have? It's a Smokey the Bear one, but it's good. I found a link to it online. http://forestry.about.com/library/gallery/aasmokey I know there are other edible plant posters you can get as well, and also guidebooks that you can cannibalize the pages from and frame them.
toady
Oh! then I should stop packing right now!
Btw, nice avatar - i see you've braved the last frontier. No wonder divorce has crept in one of your comments.
And yours to MM, i mean the avatar! LOL :D
I was trying to prove to the vampires and the lycans, I ain't scared of them, I roll through Compton every night.
Either that or they've confirmed their suspicions - you're a hybrid! Now both camps' after you - no room for freaks they say! or chant! LOL
I'm glad I'm not eating a sandwich again, but where's my damn inhaler! just to mention, the sun went down a little while ago, I'm sure those creatures are stirring! I already threatened Keny with my killer rabbit, so let's see their next move...
LOL these comments would assure us of Constant''s consent to us moving on - the necrophiliac in him would find us irresistible now! he'd say perfect company! :D
Flooring on walls hey. You are an original CW. I want to see the photos.
CW1- WOW!! You do have a lot of insight about interior decoration. I was talking to Lita and even her life partner has a very good knowledge about these things. I guess it could become an issue when you have to contend with feminine disagreements but till then you are good. Thumbs up for a great hub with lots of ideas/tips.
Wow!!! I was reading with wide eye wonder, and got some ideas from you! Thank you! I personally thought we women are better decorators than men, (sorry guys, hehe) but you proved me wrong. One of the best hubs, I have read on home decor.
Thumbs up!
You've got some intriguing ideas Constant. I can just visualise your apartment. It must be very striking.
-MM thanks. Ya, those parts about my brother and sister are for real. I don't think my sister will read this, but wouldn't be insulted if she did. She prefers her decorating style to mine... But either way, my family doesn't read my blog unless I specifically send them a link to a specific story - as far as I know. Another roommate? You've read "Roommate Wanted," right? Hey, if you both get divorced you can start a commune for divorcee's. I'll consult. ;-)
-Goldentoad, see above.
-Lifebydesign, thank you. No, I don't use that trick because I don't do alot of baking, but Yankee Candle (where I get my wax tarts) probably has that in a scent. They have alot like that.
-Cris, I don't know about "streamlined." "Lived in" might be a better description, but it's definitely clean. I HAVE to keep it clean and organized because I hate to lose things. As for improving your place, working with what you've got available is the way I've always worked - and checking yard sales for interesting finds. It also helps alot to be extremely creative and open to "outside the box" thinking: Like using flooring on the wall...
-KT pdx, thanks for reading. I have a mirror like that too! It's so big it has to set on the floor. I love it! Found it at my sister-in-law's yard sale, and she gave it to me! Thanks for the link, I'll definitely check it out.
-Cris, "Necrophiliac?!"
-CJ, thanks for checking out the hub. I know, who'd have thunk it! Unfortunately, I can't send pictures. I had to move from that place after the injury and etc, a couple of weeks ago. Now, I'm looking forward to the next place. I wrote this piece with that place in mind/memory. The next one will be far better. I'll be in a better position then.
-CW2, thanks! I'm not sure where all these "insights" came from, either. Maybe TV, magazines, movies. Watching, taking note, paying attention? Ha-ha!
-VioletSun. Wow, thanks.! And I'm not even a decorator! Just creative-by-necessity. But that's a very awesome, and ego-building, compliment. And very cool that you picked up some ideas.
-Amanda, thanks. It was definitely original... and said "me."
I was referring to your single white female-inspired hub on roommates :D
I know... I got it. ;-) I was amazed at all the comments I found here this morning. Wow!
there are at least three people who want to move in to your place!
btw, by efficient I meant efficient :D
I know. That was funny. Did you see the "Divorcee's Commune" suggestion?
Problem is, after being injured there and left unable to work and pay rent, I finally had to move. I'm now looking ahead to the possibilities of the new place.
I did, i was even invited by the founder! LOL
Well, nothing like a new place to herald (sorry, can't think of a more contemporary word! LOL) a new start. :D
Ha-ha... I might be moving in with you guys... no wait! I suspect you're all a very odd bunch -
I loved the word "herald." Good choice! And not worry, my coffee paraphernalia is ALWAYS with me. I have converted many instant coffee (YECCH!!) drinkers in this very way.
C.W. STAPLED flooring on the wall? Opens up a whole new line of ideas. I had a friend who thought the stapler was the best tool in the universe. He used it the way a teenage girl uses a bedazzler. He even used it to hem his pants, which worked really well so he said and was way cheaper then to take them to his friendly neighbor hood tailor--me.
I agree with you that anything looks great if framed.
Super hub as usual, i'm impressed with your creative approach.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
I can't speak for Toady and MM, but you'll have NO problems with me just as long as you share your gourmet coffee and music! And having company might actually do me good because...i'm so tired of being here, suppressed by all my childish fears LOL
Thanks Zsuzsy! I agree, the flooring as wall cover opens a flood of possibilities. It's easier to find, has seemingly endless styles and textures choices, and is cheaper (depending on the wall size) than wallpaper and DEFINITELY easier to put up.
Also a big plus; Apartment building managers won't allow tenants to put up wallpaper because it's basicly permanent, but there would be no problem with stapling up flooring!
Wallpaper is now dead to me...
-Cris, I'm sorry for your fears - I understand more than you may know. Where is "here"?
Ha-ha. How do I reach anything on 7 ft shelves? Didn't I mention I'm 9 ft tall???? ;)
SERIOUSLY now, for stability the back edge of the one shelf sits on the door jamb (with a support bracket at each end). Normal-height door, but still almost out of reach for 5' 9" me. So for safety I usually stand on a chair to add or remove items. Sure don't want a copper double-boiler with ceramic insert denting my noggin!
I guess "here" is home? I'm not pretty sure, ask Amy Lee, she sang it! :D
-Jama, you SERIOUSLY do not want that!
-Cris, oh.
Fr My Immortal :D
But then again, I could have said it myself and, of course, i know you more than understand. But let's not get into that, this is the wrong hub for that! LOL :D
I really like that song. The chorus is incredible... so supportive! Women are good at that kind of stuff.
No, I like that song. You like Bring Me to Life better! :D
;-) This is true. But I may change my preference... just to bug you.
Hey! I'm bored! I can't work! I'll take any form of cheap entertainment I can get!
rearrange the furniture! :D
Hi CW, understand completely your reaction to my hub. Meanwhile, here's a present, Robert Wyatt live on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVyDd-jmqHs&fea
LOL! Good one. I can't, I'm at my mother's place. She'd kill me.
-Thanks CJ, and thanks for the present! I'll check it out.
Then rearrange your mother's neighbors'! I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind! :D
CJ, Robert Wyatt - what a good band! Did you see that drum-shell riff? Very tasteful.
-Cris, ha-ha! I think I'll stick with harassing fellow hub members. Much more fun...
"The History of Chocolate" is on History Channel! I LOVE this channel...
We don't have History Channel here! :C anyhow, i know the history of chocolate by heart - it started with Hershey's! :D
Wrong, my good man. It was many, many years prior to that - it goes back to the Egyptians!. And it was once an elitist drink and wasn't sweetened. Nasty! It was also a main food source on voyages.
Bummer that you don't get History Channel. You could probably access some of its programs via HULU.com
Darn and I'm so sure Hershey's were the first to discover cocoa! LOL
Probably I could, but I'm busy hubbing - and I hate, repeat HATE the lags due to buffering! I have no patience like a sloth does! Sloths are funny that way, they are so patient even with themselves! :D
"The good things in life... take a long time." ---Chicago
Now stop wining and go eat some chocolate!
From what song is that? I love all the songs in Disc 1 of The Chicago Story.
Do you like Belle & Sebastian?
Constant, I'd love to see pictures. I'm a function over form girl myself... unless its just plain ugly! I did a hub about comfortable decorating and we definitely agree on a few points.
Nope. That'sa line from a song called "Searching For An Answer" by a 70's band called Chicago.
-Patricia, thanks for reading. Glad you liked it. And thanks for reminding me that some women are Function Over Form decorators. Is there any other way to function in a kitchen? ;-) I was aware of this and should have included it in the hub. I think I will, anyway. It's only fair, eh?
As for pictures, I'm very sorry but I was recently forced to move from the apartment (a converted garage apt which I called my "subterranean Loft") described in the hub due to injuries, unable to work or pay rent, legal issues, etc. etc. But you can bet that my new place will be even better!
KT, The edible plants poster is very cool. I bookmarked it. I don't if I'll be able to use it - depending on available wallspace in kitchen, but I hope so!
PS: Does KT stand for Kinky Turtle?
I know who Chicago are! The Chicago Story is their 2-disc best of record.
OH! Didn't know that. I got the title wrong, too. Doh! It's called "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long," and is probably on any Best Of disc. It was a pretty big hit. I don't know which album it was originally on.
-Patricia, when I finally get my new place (it could be a while) and have it up to standard, I'll replace the images in this hub with photos of it.
I like that too though I dig their more mushy stuff - Look Away, Hard To Say I'm Sorry and If You Leave Me Now and my ode to hubbing Hard Habit to Break! :D
Wow! I like all those songs. You like the old-school stuff, eh?
Wrong guess on what KT stands for. It's actually my real initials. :) Glad you like the link.
Where's Goldentoad today? Probably down at the beach. Hi CW. Glad you are in favor of us moving in. Commune for divorcees sounds like a great idea! Coffee and oldies music -- sounds grand to me.
I have to ask this, tho. Who decorated your mom's house, your sister -- or you --- or does she have her own style?
-KT, damn! KT pdx was ringing a bell so I punched it into Yahoo search and came up with a pictorial of a guy who goes by KT, or Kinky Turtle. Oh well.
-MM, my mother, but she let me help when hanging pictures in her living room. But her kitchen is a typical Form Over Function set-up... with overly-busy walls. Sigh... We take what we can get, eh?
Definitely wrong one! I'm a female. Just out of curiosity, what band were you with? I played set in school, but had to sell my kit for college money. I still have my snare and some percussion toys, though.
I've been in many, many, MANY bands. No one famous, nationally, that you would have heard of.
You're in Portland? Wow, close. OK, I've never been based in Portland, but I've played there numerous times with road/circuit bands: "Nasty," "Circus," "Starflight," "Oklahoma Crude."
Great hub Constant. I like that you take interest in your home and surroundings. That is cool. My oldest son is also very creative and likes to keep his place with his own style. it is always done nice, might not be my style but you can tell it is his when you walk in the door. This makes a house a home. It does not matter the size. Thanks for sharing.
At first when I saw this title I thought it was written by someone else and a ploy to get women to visit his house :). I think you and many, many men are artistic and creative when decorating their homes, so I wonder why some people believe the myth only women can be so. I had several female college roommates that were very sloppy and did not really do much to improve their surroundings. By the way I like the brick wall paper because that is something different I never would have thought it. Nice hub.
Thanks C.S. I've always been that way. My mother told me she read that I do that in Linda Goodman's Sun Signs when I was a kid - I'm a Taurus. Sometimes astrology gets it right!
Thanks Sweetie. I didn't realize that, but yeah, the title could be a really bad pick-up line. Funny. RE: your sloppy roommates, I've noticed that a person's environment (male or female) - and even the outside of that environment - reflects pretty accurately on the person themselves...
I loved this hub. I love that you just do what you like and it comes out well. And I like that we have a lot of design ideas in common: lots of light, big framed posters, open spaces instead of closed closets. I'm not so big on swords, though, but, hey, that's just me.
Also, I thought this was a well-written HUB. Well done! And Lots of fun~
Thank you very much, Bruce, and good to hear from you. I suspect the majority of guys feel the same way.
PS: When I was touring Canada with an 80's road-band called "Starflight," we went through Victoria. I loved how nice and "real" the people were there... and actually all parts of Canada I visited. And I still go "eh?" I can't help it!
Bruce, I was impressed how read between the lines and mentioned that I like "open spaces" in your comment. It's very true, but I think I failed to include that when writing this hub. I was thinking I should add this somewhere... but, maybe I don't need to.
Nice warm place = home. =)) sounds great. we'll all be right over.
Darnit, CW. Now every time I walk by my living room and see my "staggered" pictures I think of this hub. Actually, there are only 4 of them and they are all on the same subject and same color scheme and do look good staggered.
Did I know you were a Taurus? Me too! No wonder I like you!!! MM
M, thanks for stopping by.
MM, the only thing I can say is, un-stagger them! I knew I was a Taurus when my mother read the forecast to me. Some of it holds true. Some does not. I do not let it dominate to me my personality, ...you know?
I like your titlte thought because it gets people to read it. Too me that is a great bargaining chip when it comes to our writing.
Hi Sweetie. I agree. I think the title is important. If a hub's title doesn't interest me in some way, chances are, I probably won't read the story.
Some really good ideas here. I like and also need the rope lights in a few dark areas. And I knew I wanted to change out the cabinet doors, but leaving them off...never thought of that! Inspiring hub to renew the kitchen--thanks.
-Newsworthy (great hub-name!), thanks for reading, and you're very welcome.
Yikes I spelled title pretty funny there! lol
Yep... I noticed that. And I wanted to make fun of it... but, you know: "Pot, meet Kettle."
Nice job Martha Stewart! Very informative!
-Funne, you're slipping. I was expecting you four days ago.
Wow Constant Walker. Very informative indeed. Some very important and great tips. I especially enjoyed how to hang your pictures (you're very right and I hope my friends and neighbors read your tips on this because I have to say it's excruciating sometimes, to see.) People should never be afraid of large pictures either. And fab lighting tips too. Thanks.
You're very welcome, Frieda, and thank you for the nice comments.
I don't know where I got all of this from, possibly from pictures and images I've seen of castles, mansions or museums and just applied them to my apartments ... I think.
Pam Roberson says:
11 months ago
Wow, you share some really great tips here. I never ever thought about taking the doors off of my kitchen cabinets, but it makes perfect sense to do that around the stove. Very nice! :D And I never thought about hanging pictures at eye level. That's not to say I do the staggering thing! Don't worry, I don't! ;) lol! I generally just put them where I feel they look good and don't consider much else.
Very nice hub CW. :)