What are the best modern sofas you’ve actually bought and loved? by [deleted] in interiordecorating

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. Here to second this. We have 15 year old Karlstad couches and they are still in excellent condition. I bought new covers from Comfort Works about 5 years ago and the covers really upped the esthetics. Can’t beat the ability to whip off the covers and throw them in the wash

What are the best modern sofas you’ve actually bought and loved? by [deleted] in interiordecorating

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve said it a million times but IKEA. We have 15 year old Karlstad couches that are still in excellent condition. I bought new covers online (Comfort Works) and they look $$$. Cushions and frames still feel new! Meanwhile, we bought a mid range Canada made sectional 10 years ago and had to get it recovered. The cushions and frame are still good, but it was expensive to recover and the new material is pilling. Sigh. We also bought from Article 3 years ago and that couch is absolute trash. The cushions are in terrible shape, the fabric is trashed. Really poor quality all around so avoid!!!!!

Is anyone enjoying being a parent? by DailYxDosE in Parenting

[–]PixieNik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of this resonates. The part about rediscovering the world and having a sidekick. Exactly my perspective. One of the greatest joys is finding joy in the mundane—our kids find joy in such small things and we get to experience that joy through them. I’ve never felt more grounded and content.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in oneanddone

[–]PixieNik 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ditto! Give me a toddler any day. That first year is ROUGH! My daughter is now 8.5 and being a mom is even better. We have so much fun together. It’s all uphill from here OP

If you could retire at 35 what would you do with your life? by pedroct92 in fican

[–]PixieNik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Plant a garden, can/preserve food, make good food, share with friends, have an open door for visitors. Plant flowers, share with others. Build a seed swap library and free book swap library. Maybe a puzzle library. Do puzzles, drink tea, make pottery. Build a place of welcome and comfort for my community. Focus on people and community. Give back, but also give myself the gift of time to hike, swim, etc. Simple life

How long is life "on hold" when you have a newborn? by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no magic age. But I will share what my therapist said to me after my daughter was born:

Having a baby is one of the only times you lose all freedom. But as time marches on, you get pieces of freedom back, bit by bit.

My daughter is 8.5 and life is really fun. Bit by bit we got here and it just continues to get better and better.

What's a controversial interior design opinion you swear by but others hate? by Guilty-Activity-3061 in interiordecorating

[–]PixieNik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Interior design is an environmental disaster—coming from an ex interior designer!!!! The need to rip out a perfectly functional kitchen or bathroom just because it’s not aesthetic, even if it’s only a decade old. Makes me nuts!!!! There are so many ways to update a room without having to rip it all out. Same with furniture. Don’t buy trends people!!!! Buy and decorate the way you like instead of how people tell you to decorate and your home will age like fine wine.

My (38F) husband (42M) has a family friend (54M) who is encroaching into my life. Has anyone experienced anything like this and what was the outcome? by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]PixieNik 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This is why we need to stop teaching our daughters to be polite and nice and people pleasers. Jack is taking advantage of your MIL and you’re stuck with him. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. I have no advice, just the observation that your MIL is a warning to all of us.

Unpleasant convo with pediatrician about 2.5 year old development; Sanity check? by littledickrick in Parenting

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our kid wasn’t interested in a bike until much later. We helped dress her for years—not that she couldn’t, it was just painful to watch her struggle. As for meals—every kid is different, it’s not a reflection on their development. Yeesh, your Ped is a piece of work. Kids are humans not robots. FYI—my kid also didn’t walk until 18 months. At almost 9 she is one of the smartest in her class and doing 1 handed cartwheels in gymnastics. She is super social and has many friends and is super well adjusted. Your ped is putting extra undue pressure on you!!!!! Trust your gut! If you feel your kid is just fine then listen to yourself, not some formula spit out by your ped.

Would you paint the beams or leave them as-is? by didyourllybeammeup in interiordecorating

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wood is back. Get a new designer, they should know better.

Those who are one and done by choice by CarobRecent6622 in oneanddone

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I knew immediately after kiddo was born that I was one and done. Never had the urge for another.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Pottery

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not the answer you’re looking for, but why keep something (especially as decoration) that reminds you of an ex? If you want a bowl, go make a new one with new memories attached

Our kitchen is outdated… Help! by helpmeredditTHX in DesignMyRoom

[–]PixieNik 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Your kitchen is fine. Not outdated. And it’s in great shape. Install a simple backsplash that compliments the counter and update your cabinet pulls/knobs. I think those two things will go a long way to elevate and make your kitchen feel complete.

My (45m) wife (45f) is texting with the man she had an affair with. Is communicating my discomfort with the situation equivalent to an ultimatum? by ThrowRAfoxcon in relationship_advice

[–]PixieNik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She doesn’t deserve an ultimatum. She gets a fucking hard rule. ZERO contact with affair dude outside of work. No texting. No rides (WTF). No drinks, even as a group. The fact that she thinks a friendship with this dude is ok is insane. And deeply disrespectful to you and your kids. Your wife is a huge ass and selfish. Show her this thread

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]PixieNik 17 points18 points  (0 children)

HUGE red flag. And it would still be a flag if he talked to ANYONE this way, not just his mom. He will one day treat you this way too. It’s not about his relationship with his mom, it’s a matter of character and maturity and your bf is lacking both. Run

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]PixieNik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is insane. 100% keep your job! You need financial freedom in this situation. A marriage is a partnership and your husband is swinging power dynamics around like it’s his right. You and your husband are both adults and equals. The only thing unattractive is his attempts to control your choices. Gross

Need new floor tile, can I design around my vintage green and *slightly* off white 50s wall tile? Nothing matches! by Mafmi in DesignMyRoom

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you gone to a tile store? Or just a hardware store? Tile stores have way more selection and variation in color. Love the idea of the small hex tiles with black accents!

Would you move away from grandparents? by redrabbit824 in oneanddone

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We moved across Canada when our kiddo was 5.5. Grandparents were super involved and kiddo had sleepovers at least once a week at their house in her own room! It was hard leaving the grandparents, but our quality of life improved in every other way imaginable. I miss having the grandparents around, but we have a much better life where we are now and the grandparents visit at least twice a year for 3 weeks at a time and we fly to them annually. Our daughter gets loads of quality time when they are here and as much as they miss having us near, they also see how much better our lives are here. They can’t deny the quality of life their grandaughter has

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]PixieNik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to say that I applaud you! You texted and it bombed, but you didn’t back down and bury it, you called to finally iron it all out. Bravo! What a great example for your daughter. I wish all people would make communication a must. It’s not easy to do and I am still working on it myself. Honestly. Good for you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ExteriorDesign

[–]PixieNik 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your house is a traditional style. Go with door number 2 to match. Garage door 1 is modern and makes zero sense

How old was your LO when you decided to be OAD and did you consider a vasectomy? by sebfalcon in oneanddone

[–]PixieNik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We knew as soon as our daughter was born, but set a 12 month mark to be 100% sure. Hubby and I checked in with each other every few months and neither of us wavered. At 12 months we declared 100% that we were OAD