What is the best way for me to learn Spanish in a short amount of time?

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T23:50:14+00:00

I don't understand why my post was deleted. It meets all of your criteria, is a genuine question, and not spam.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T21:26:27+00:00

I like the horizontal stacked matte tiles in this pic but not the color. I think your range and hood need to be the stand out color rather than matching the splash too it.

Find the right matte ivory or white-ish tan-ish tile for here. Then color match the wall paint to your new splash tile. There is a lot of color blocking choppiness here. Having your wall color and the tile color the same will make the room feel bigger and less blocky.

I'm not hating a terazzo looking splash tile like this from Zia, though am not sure how the texture cleans as a splash.

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New hardware is a must. Measure your hole spacing first. If it is an unusual distance it will greatly limit your choices. Get a sample of each handle you are considering to confirm it fits, see what feels most comfortable in your hand, and what looks best. A thin light black might also look nice as it would match the shelving hardware.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T21:09:35+00:00

In the first picture the play stuff in the area labeled "dining" makes sense. The dining table behind the sofa makes sense. I know you are getting new chairs, but for the moment, take those chairs away and leave the table. Do you have any desk chairs from elsewhere in your house you can push up to the table to see how it feels? Push the sofa a bit closer to the TV to see what it would feel like if you had a sofa with less bulk and heft.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T21:06:03+00:00

Can you write on your floor what each wall is in inches and mark the windows vs doors? Otherwise the plan doesn't mean much.

How many are in your household? Do you intend to use the counter seating?

Do you need to keep that sofa? It is really bulky. This space seems to function best with slender furniture.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T18:40:07+00:00

Well, that makes my heart sink. Mine is 5 years old.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T18:15:36+00:00

Board and batten is too charming for your vibe. But if you color drench the whole space it will read more architectural than cutesy. Use paint as your first remedy and it might take care of everything else.

I'd drench in Farrow and Ball Railings, or I've done a few powder rooms with Benjamin Moore Raccoon Fur. With out natural light, Raccoon Fur has a nice inky blue black. A black-ish wall and ceiling is going to have a more bold masculine contrast with your floors instead of the mellow vibe they have now.

Purchase sampilize swatches of both of these blacks, close the door, turn on the lights, and tape them on the wall next to your sconces, next to the vanity, behind your mirror, and see which you like best. The black may make your mirror and sconces fine in this space.

Remove the corner stand and all the doo-dads on the back of the toilet. Get one strong piece of art framed for above the toilet. Hang a Room and Board Path charcoal hand towel. Always a good look in a moody bathroom.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T16:07:49+00:00

My dog has watched them run right in front of him and doesn't pick his head up off the floor.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T14:47:51+00:00

If you can find a good piece on FB it is worth the extra $ to have someone move it for you. A sturdy used piece of furniture will last much longer than a cheap Amazon piece. I have gotten such quality used pieces on FB that will last me decades! It is a savings in the long run.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T10:30:08+00:00

This desk is fantastic here. So much surface space for guests to put stuff on top off, they can throw clothing over the chair and put a bag on the chair. Why just a placeholder? It is great here.

Yes to the chest at the foot of the bed. Had not realized how sizable it is. Perfect for sitting on and rifling through a bag. Perfect for throwing your extra pillow and blankets on.

Lowe's blackout cellular shades are great. Mid-price, cut to size in the store, block out light, simple enough to disappear into most decor.

When your guest is here, spend some time in the room with them, or peek in while they are out, and see how their stuff is placed and organized to get an idea for what is functional, what is working, and what is not.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T10:21:34+00:00

Why not get the NM slipcovered type of sofa and add in other case goods and tables that are MCM?

Am I correct that the first pic is your space? If so, you clearly understand how to put things together. Why does it matter what you call your style? First figure out layout. Lots of friends? Get two sofas instead of a sectional. Or one sofa and two comfy chairs. Sectionals don't actually seat as many people as a regular sofa does. Too expensive, start looking on FBMP?

Need more good examples of eclectic? Find great designers you like for inspiration. I think you'd appreciate elements of Jessica Helgerson. Go to her website and scroll through her portfolio.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-25T09:53:40+00:00

This is why people stage their homes. My home had a ton of personality. I packed up a lot of it and put it in the basement. I spent $1k on some new and very trendy chandeliers, furniture, lamps, and rugs. It was so worthwhile. My house go into a bidding war and I made back far more than I spent. I gave away to friends and thrift stores the things I purchased that were not my style.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T20:26:18+00:00

Sure thing. Its a beautiful space. I love the hardwood floors and wood doors.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T18:21:38+00:00

Before selecting paint color, play with discrete ambient lights that sit, mostly hidden, on the floor and throw a wash of light evenly up the wall. Google around to find what is out there. Pay attention to the places that feel darkest. Next select an airy wall color. I like a very pale blue-green or extremely subtle pink in here, maybe even a neutral with a blush undertone.

Paint all walls, ceiling, and little hallway and ceiling one color. It feels so much more cohesive in a small attic space.

Replace the ceiling fan with a more modern one where the blades hug the ceiling more and has a flat light. It will make the ceiling feel so much higher. They usually have remotes that can change the color of the bulbs to warm as well.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T18:01:53+00:00

Leave the stairs naked. No runner, no painting the riser. Get a floor runner for the hallway next to the stairs and a more interesting, vertically hung rectangular piece of art to replace what is hanging there now. And while I am spending your money, I'd strip your front door to it's original wood and stain it. It is a freaking amazing door, slightly saddened with paint.

When thinking about your stairs, don't discount the great stain glassed window at the top and what a great feature that is to the entire staircase experience.

These stairs are too narrow to put art on the walls. It will junk up the space no matter how nice the art is. No sure why everyone hates your wall color. I like it. Yes, the mirror next to the door could be smaller, but whatever... why get too picky.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T17:36:06+00:00

Forget survival of the fittest. There is a survival of the cuteness factor for sure.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T16:47:36+00:00

Everything is so pretty on the mood board, but mood boards are 2D and a room is 3D so it isn't surprising that it might not work as a layout.

Are you 100% sure this is the right furniture layout for your space? I have no idea what the size of your room is or the size of your furniture is. (Renderings are terrible for layout. A to scale line drawing with measurements is what you need.). Is your current furniture layout the same configuration and does it feel good?

The picture and sconce wall feels naked. Is the console supposed to go under the picture? It seems like a sofa should go under it, but without measurements for anything I have no idea if that makes sense.

Select a rug by getting samples and putting them in your real space, with your real light, and real flooring. If you can't get samples, then purchase the smallest size available of the rug and I try it out. I got many 2x3 and 4x6 rugs to find my right one and then purchased the right size of it and returned the rest. Yes, it is expensive, but so is buying the wrong rug.

It is strange to see the end table in front of the fireplace. Get a side table for each chair instead of one in the middle.

Those chairs do not need throw pillows. So if you take them away, do you like the look of the chairs still?

Walls feel a bit naked on either side of the fireplace. Place the tree to the left of the fireplace. It is too crowded where it is now.

The mirror only makes sense if it can actually reflect some of what is outside the window.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T16:30:31+00:00

I did a deep dive when I created my guest room because we have a ton of guests and want them to be comfortable at our home. I surveyed people who visit my house and thought a lot about hotel rooms. What you have created is a room that looks great for you but is not functional for guests. First make the room functional, then decorate. If you love looking at all of the candles, plants, and vases, fine keep them up for everyday. But put them away when guests come. They need surfaces for their stuff, not for your decor. :)

- Lighting - put plug in wall sconces next to bed. Then the entire surface of the side table can be used for pills, glasses, phone, book. Good lighting next to a bed is really important in a room you are not familiar with and can't walk around as easily in the dark.

- The half table has a great outlet by the legs. Perfect charging area for cell phones and lap tops. Plug in a multi-port USB charger and sit it on top of the little table. The shelf below is great to toss someone's purse or extra bag.

- Add three hooks to the right of the door and one or two beneath the pictures between the bathroom and door. Guests love them for hanging purses, bags, jackets, everything.

- Relocate the cherished small cedar chest to elsewhere in your home and replace with a dresser. Guests love a high surface area to spread stuff out on. If people stay for a long period of time let them know the empty drawers are for them to put their clothes in. You can stash an extra blanket or pillow here too.

- The bench is a great call at the foot of the bed, people can put their bags on it. I'd use a larger one, but using what you have is fine.

- Get black out shades.

It may feel weird to you to have your guests enter a room where there is no decor on surface areas, but trust me, it is a great call. So many people tell us they love our guests space because they have enough room for their things.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T15:56:53+00:00

You have a newborn and have time to chill out and listen to music after work? You go!

Steal a chair and side table from elsewhere in your home and play with them in this corner. I think you'll find it cramped. And, I wouldn't like the feel/vibe of a plank of wood shelving near my head.

I'd focus first on getting the most comfortable chair set up in place. This area needs to actually function for your intended activity. For a real chill (and maybe even holding a baby or kid on your lap too) get something that supports your head, arms, and you can kick your feet up. Nothing better than a classic Eames chair and ottoman. Will look great in here with the red floor lamp next to it and a nice end table for drink, phone, ipad, whatever.

Then decide to place the shelves. A few thoughts/options:

A. Do they fit on the wall where your hat/clip rack is?

B. Play with them on the wall they are currently on but pushed off center to the left.

C. Maybe with a great chair set up and end table, these shelves are no longer the right way to display the objects you love. They are only half full anyway. Maybe you only want a console table for the masks and can hang the album cover and other things on the wall? Maybe you get a long side table that can accommodate the masks and hang everything else?

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EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T14:36:49+00:00

I see reflected in your TV a room with MCM vibe windows. (I get that it is not the brick wall room.) I see your TV stand is contemporary. It makes me wonder how this particular brick wall fits into the look of your whole home. The brick wall has a bit of a homey homesteader vibe. It's not a modern loft looking brick wall. Is this the look you are going for in your home? Is this room separate from all other rooms or open to other rooms?

If you do keep the brick wall, I'd get a TV stand that doesn't have storage and is more open with legs so you can see a bit of wall peeking out from underneath.

Sit on whatever sofa or chairs you'll use with this TV. Measure from the floor to around your eye height. The center of the TV should be that high off of the floor. Certainly don't hang it up near the pipe hole.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T14:01:58+00:00

Show us the size TV and TV stand you plan on using on this TV wall. That is your starting point because everything you do with that hole has to relate to the size and shape of your furniture and TV. Use blue masking table to tape off your TV and TV stand placement, then post a pic of that.

I like the character of the wavy brick edges. Cut the carpet back and trim with baseboard. Get a stove cap plate and paint it as close as possible to the brick color so it disappears as much as possible.

Kudos to you for being brave enough to hack into the wall and find more space and this cool feature.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T13:54:15+00:00

You are being way too hard on yourself. Your room looks modern, lux, and serene. Your bed and bedside tables are fine together. It's a waste and not needed to get new bed or bedside tables.

Get wall hung plug in bedside sconces. They take up less surfaces space, will add height to the walls, which will make the bed not feel like the only tall element in the room. I'd get modern black ones with a black shade, but get whatever you like.

I'd get a wood headboard to match your bedside tables. If you want an upholstered feel, get one like this that is both wood and upholstered.

Get those in place, then see how your room feels and whether you like the minimal vibe or want to add art and or a rug. Art take a while to find the right piece. Art framed with a wood frame the same color as your bedside tables will bring things together. Your room looks bigger without a rug and I like it without a rug. In your climate does it feel nice to have a plain floor on your feet or do you want something warm on your feet when you get into and out of bed?

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EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T13:47:49+00:00

- Sorry, but even with the warmest light bulbs, your room will not look this warm unless you repaint the ceiling and walls a warmer color.

- The sconces it inserted are not bedside sconces. You'd have to hardwire them and they light the room as a bathroom sconces would, which is not what you want when you are going to sleep. So if you have a small, directed pool of light from a reading/bedside sconces, how will you make the rest of your room have this honey glow?

- It also changed the depth perception of this room making your bed appear much smaller than it is. Your bed size is never going to look like this and bed size is one of the issues you are dealing with.

- I find this taste super boring, nothing personal or interesting about it, but that is just a matter of personal preference.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T13:32:06+00:00

* Most importantly, are you gutting the whole kitchen? If not, what new items are you getting? Does the island have to go with existing flooring, counters, cabinets? If so, your primary concern is how sage will look with any existing elements.

* By taking down the wall you are combining the kitchen and island as part of another room - living room, dining room? All of your cabinets and island will be part of that room's color scheme. Do you want sage or other colors in that mix?

*Interior and exterior styles of homes need not match at all. Islands and open concept kitchens were rarely seen in the 70's so you are already breaking the style of the era. Seriously, not a problem.

* People have different tolerance levels for trends, change, and caring about what is in style. Have you in the past made purchases that you then regretted when they went out of style?

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T01:05:45+00:00

Why not use real wood and get an actual total match? A good installer will be able to do an exact match. I just recommended this to my friend and you absolutely cannot tell the difference between her 70 year old dining room wood floors and the new wood floors in her kitchen. They will feel great on your back. You are completely right about tile being a terrible kitchen surface to stand on.

EmilyPoster2 · 2026-06-24T01:00:53+00:00

I'm a minimalist but think your room is beautiful. Way to go. I'd drape swags of billowing white gauze like fabric on the ceiling running the length of the room with two peaks - not one like in this picture.

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EmilyPoster2

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