Anyone have recommendations for interior decorators for condos? Basically want someone who would come in and do a consultation on color choices for walls, rugs, and a few other small things. Hourly or flat fee, not commission based. Anyone ever had experience or heard of people working with design students rather than established decorators?

Does anyone recommend a shop for dining textiles (tablecloths, placemats, etc) that are made in Chicago?

I have an afghan that my grandmother made me and which both I and my cats love. Unfortunately for me, it gets covered in cat fur and every so often will definitely need a washing. But when I wash it, it can get a little tight and scratchy?

Any suggestions on how to properly wash one? Is it as simple as using some woolite?

katie - what kind of yarn is the afghan made out of? the ones my mom makes me are always just acrylic yarn and they seem scratchy coming out of the washer, but a dryer sheet in the dryer seems to cure that problem...

I think it is acrylic. Maybe a blend of acrylic and wool, but probably mostly acrylic because it hasn't shurnk.

Oh and I'll give the dryer sheet a try. Thanks Jen!

Jeremy!

Have you considered just asking here? Over at BHG, people post pictures of their homes, and ask for suggestions. I added lots of suggestions. So did other people. You'll get lots of ideas, all kinds of suggestions, pictures or links, all for free.

You may choose to take some of the ideas, all of the ideas, none of the ideas. But no matter, it's all good. It's good because you can then say to yourself, "Gosh, I really hate that color that Andree suggested, and I don't want it"...that's GOOD. You KNOW then what you do NOT want or like and it narrows down your choices. Other things may be suggested, patterns you love or hate, styles, product lines, price ranges.

Also, Jeremy, do you have the Apartment Therapy book? You might consider getting it, as things like The Style Tray would be useful for you. It's way less than an consultation, I guarantee that. Like $15.00 or so.

The only way you'll be fully satisfied with your choices or those of a designer, decorator, or one of us is if you know what you like and can communicate those likes effectively.

Worst case scenario, you say "Do whatever you want to my condo" and the designer fills it full of pink canopy beds complete with the corner ruffled curtains, fluffy stuffed poodles, and big posters of Mary Kate and Ashley when they were younger.

After you come to (as you would have fainted upon seeing this), you say "Ahhhh, what did you do to my place?" And I'd say "You said I could do whatever I wanted..."

You want your place to reflect YOU, not me, not a designer. Let us help you towards choices, find things, but YOU have to start...with the style tray!

Anybody know where to begin looking for salvage? I'm remodeling a bathroom and don't want to buy Home Depot or Ikea. But the budget is LIMITED, so I can't do anything high end like Architectural Artifacts. So far I'm just scanning Craig's List.

Jeremy, I just met this woman named Chrissy who is an artist (a painter) whose day job is working for Moishe Movers. She mentioned in passing that she started doing interior design for a moving client, after she'd complimented the client on her use of colors. She'd probably be very affordable--a rough equivalent to a design student.

And for anyone looking for amazing movers, Moishes Movers are bizarrely good--diligent, attentive, and responsive. The company number, through which you could reach Chrissy: 1.866.932.9366

Hi! I just bought a vintage Saarinen chair at the antique market, and now that it's home, I see that it's pretty beat up.

Any suggestions on what I can do to clean up scratches? Is it possible to repair small cracks in the fiberglass?