Q: I'm struggling to figure out how to set up seating in this living room configuration. I'm ripping out the carpets and putting in hardwoods, recessed lighting, molding and paint. But I can't figure out the seating with this fireplace and sliding door. I want my flat screen in this room as well, but I don't want the TV to be the focal point. 

Q: I've been using Brita filters and pitchers for a while, but my dog recently was diagnosed with a liver condition and the vet recommended that I find an alternative that yields a more purified water. Brita pitchers are super convenient and great, but they don't remove a lot of the impurities (like fluoride).

Q: I have a sliding glass door on a second floor which leads to nowhere. If you opened it and stepped out, you would fall 15 feet to the ground. When friends come over with little ones, I'd like to be able to keep the sliding door open (it has a screen) to let in some fresh air: More

Q: I'm tackling an ambitious furniture-making project (ambitious because I have never made furniture, and only have a power drill and a basic tool set). It is a bookshelf with a drop-leaf table which will function as a craft table. The really tricky part is that I want the table to be able to support my sewing machine, which weighs 25 lbs.

Q: I found this fantastic mid-century modern nightstand that looks like it came straight out of the Jetsons' skyrise, but it's made of wood! I've read lots of strong opinions about refinishing or painting over mid-century pieces, so I wanted to get some feedback. One idea I had was to sand off the finish and paint it with a colorful herringbone design, a la Ciburbanity's "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" dresser. Thoughts?

Q: One of the previous owners added (ugly!) stone veneer on the facade of my 102-year-old house. Removing the stone is probably not an option - it's very expensive, will likely damage the soft brick, and will require changes to the porch roof and window trim. I am considering painting over the stone and replacing dormer siding to match. Yea or nay? Has anyone done this and can share pictures? I am concerned it will look messy because of the stone texture, but don't know what else to do:

Q: We are moving into a new apartment, which we absolutely adore. It's got all kinds of charm, like crown moldings and oodles of natural light. Best of all, it has a gorgeous working fireplace in the corner of the living room. We are planning to make it the focal point of the room, facing our couch directly towards the fireplace and placing the rug right in front of it. It's also the first thing you see when walking into the living room from the entryway, so we want it to make a statement:

Q: I'm going to be renting a one-bedroom apartment for the first time after living with roommates, so I now have the fun, arduous task of buying furniture. I'm excited about the apartment (pictured - it will be unfurnished), but concerned that the wood paneling will make it den-like. I can't paint over it, and anyway, I kind of like the wood and want to work with it:

Q: Do you possibly have a lead on the drawer pulls on the blue and white dresser in this nursery? I love them! I'm trying to get something similar for my nursery but have been striking out on finding the pulls. Thanks so much!!! More

Q: I am wondering where this photo is from (I think I saw it on Apartment Therapy). I am wondering in what specific paint color is this house painted and if it is done in gloss or satin, etc.