apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There is a lot of space above my kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, but they are far too high to practically use them for storage (even with a stepstool). I want to put some fake plants up there (ivy or something?) to fill up the space. Anyone know where I can find that stuff cheaply around the city? Or have other ideas for filling it up?

MCNicole, I have a similar situation with my kitchen cabinets and I display all of my glass vases up there along with a large silver bowl and wine bucket. It adds a nice touch and I get to display my collection. It is a good alternative to the fake plants. If you have any large collections like that, it is a good save place for them to be.

My mom has a large kitchen with room above her cupboards for storing her collection of antique teapots, but after 10 years of climbing up there to dust all of the time, she got tired of it and decided she wanted something interesting, yet "self-cleaning" up there. Since silk plants seem to attract dust, too, she decided to do metal wall signs which are pretty much flat to the wall (only stick out like 1/2 inch), so they collect little dust, yet they create interest up there.

She has a set of coffee word signs like these:
http://www.brightandbold.com/metal-wall-word-art--coffee-theme.html

However, there are other words to choose from, or you could also create the same effect with those new removable vinyl wall decals in a fun print as well - maybe DottiLicious or another graphic geometric style in similar colors to your decor. Much easier than dusting or repainting!

Good luck!

I came across some vintage Kartell Componibili components in a reddish-orange color. I got four components for less than $10, and they're in good condition, but not pristine.

Would it be sacrilege to paint them (a darker red or white)? Are there paints recommended for plastics?

I use Krylon Fusion for Plastics with good results. Just practice your spray paint technique so you don't spray too heavy and get drips. As far as sacrilege, any kind of refinishing usually effects long-term value, but if that's not a concern -- paint away and enjoy!

Elle Decor was horrid this month. I get the concept of "Artists we Love", but I feel like the editors just flipped through their rolodex, chose their favorite designers and artists and pulled an add for each of them. This month's Elle Decor is page upon page upon page of adds. it wasn't until page 220 until I found design without a pitch, and by that time I was so disappointed I had already written off the magazine as a whole. I wish I could believe that this is just a bad month, but Elle Decor has been terrible for me for the last SEVERAL months. I'm done buying Elle Decor. $5.99/month for page upon relentless page of advertising for furniture I can't afford... I wish I could get my money back!

Are there any Flickr experts out there?

I can't seem to view any of my photos in a large format.

I uploaded a bunch of photos that were shot in a medium format, 5.6 mp. I assume that is why the photos do not appear very large on my flickr page.

I then started shooting large photos, 10 mp, and these too appear small on my flickr page.

I can't figure it out. Flickr help gave me the wrong advice. Just kind of frustrated.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

blimey! the photos are 2.5-3 mp not 10 mp.