Stop the Couch-Sectional Madness!

Ever walk into a living or family room and you can’t move because of the furniture?  More often than not, it’s because someone bought a sectional that overwhelms the space.

 I can hear the comments, “But they’re comfortable and we can seat a large group.”

If you have a large room or a McMansion, go for it.  (But measure the doorways first).

Unless you have a large space they take over.  It’s like the decorating elephant in the room that no one wants to address.

What really gets me going is that the design options are limited.  Most of the time the sectional can only be placed one way.    There isn’t any flexibility.

Try these:  a couch and a loveseat; two chairs and a couch; two love seats and a chair.

 Now, send me your photos of your best comfortable living room arrangement! 

When bad builders happen to good houses

Here are some trends that need to disappear…. what are yours?

Vertical blinds on double hung windows – they were designed for patio doors and that’s where they should stay.  For double hung windows, use a roller shade, pleated blinds, drapes – there are so many more options.

6 foot iron fences around front yards… I’m voting ugly.  It’s really bad when there’s only one “stockade yard” on what was a wide open block.   (This one may lead to my disinheritance as I’m the daughter of an ironworker).

Boxes on top of bungalows.  This is when bad builders happen to good houses.  You take a classic Chicago bungalow and someone decided to renovate and they get talked into putting a box on top that completely destroys the look and feel of the house.  Here’s an example of the need to hire a licensed architect – it’s worth the money.

Contractor White Paint… left up 10 years later.  Ok, folks, you can make a commitment to color… let’s take some small steps together and I’ll show you that color will enhance your life – I promise!

Teal & Mauve – together.  Maybe it’s the 10 years I spent in the shopping center industry, but I can’t stand these two colors – they make my skin crawl.  I always think of wreaths covered in dust.