I love a real book. Though I am extremely clumsy and I sometimes tend to loose my spot, mainly cause I will fall asleep with the book in hand. Then it ends up on my face, then of course I ROLL. Oh me, sometimes I may spend at least 30 mins to an hour trying to find where I was reading and thinking wait I read that already. E-reader with the kindle app is WONDERFUL for people like me!! I so do not like the borders app. I haven't tried the barnes and noble yet for android but that will be my next app to install. 1000's of free books with the kindle app!!! They even have a kindle app for windows users.

Luckygal, branding has been around for a very long time. For example: Vernon and Irene Castle slapped their names on everything and anything you can imagine and stuff that you can't from candy to cigars, shoes, records etc. This was back in 1912. They were the pair that put ballroom dancing on the map and made it extremely popular. Irene set many fashions trends in her day including the incredibly ugly but very popular stove top hat and was one of the first to bob her hair setting off a new look for hair in the 1920's flapper. They owned nightclubs and dance studios. The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers dancing that we all recall fondly in their old movies was based on Vernon and Irene's innovations in dance. My kids (aged 30 and 26) are not swayed by such nonsense and neither are their friends. I think there has always been (and always will be) people who feel safer purchasing something endorsed by a "name" and others who look for quality, value and style. Sky Here is a link that might be useful: wiki Vernon and Irene Castle

I've been lurking on this forum for the last couple of days. This post and the picture have forced me out of lurkdom! I don't quilt but I LOVE fabric. So many great ideas already. I especially agree with the lighting. Yesterday at Home Depot I saw some halogen full spectrum lightbulbs meant to fit into regular sockets/lamps. Think track lighting with halogens (that bright white light) coupled with some light fixtures near your work space with the full spectrum/daylight bulbs. Track halogen kits are available at the hardware box sotres for under $50.00. Number 2 on my list is a CHAIR! I use a cheapo computer chair. I like the adjustable height and the casters. You can wheel from machine to machine or machine to iron!!!! Cheapo chairs can be had at the box office supply stores on sale for under $40.00. If you sew alot perhaps an even more expensive(more comfortable/supportive)chair would be worth the investment. Number 3 is storage. I collect/store large quantities of yardage for drapes, slipcovers and duvets, etc. I like shelves. My impression is that quilters tend to need lots of smaller pcs of fabric. I couldn't use paper boxes because I have to SEE the fabric. I think if the plastic bins can work for you these are a great solution. Ditto the ADJUSTABLE shelving to store them on. I really like the industrial shelving shown in the picture above. You can space the shelves close together and configure it to be tall and narrow or short and wide. If money were no object I'd probably consider buying one of those metal tool chests. I covet these!!! There are plenty of shallow FULL EXTENSION drawers for scissors, needles, bobbins, thread, etc, etc. Can you tell I want one of these?? If you can't spring for one of these (me either:()the plastic stacked drawers on casters can fit under a work surface. And speaking of work surface, have you thought about a hollow core door mounted on brackets instead of a table? The doors are light, cheap and come in a variety of widths. When you buy them you can get them without the hole for the knob. If you have a salvage building supply store, they are even cheaper!! They can be painted, stained or covered in fabric. I can see several doors mounted on brackets extending from the wall with the window. You could have all your machines set up and wheel from one to the other!! Too cool. Of course, paint, a few decorative items will make it truly yours. Good luck and sorry for the length:)

I don't know the source but in my world this retailer means the same as runway fashions mean to me. They are interesting to glance at, but no way in HECK would I ever actually WEAR any of them. I would say the same about the room pictured and the list. First off my home is not my wardrobe and I don't have the time or $$$$ to swap out its furnishings every few years, just 'cuz. Once it is in my home it stays until it falls apart. Maybe that is why thrown chairs are IN, so we get new ones!! In my house Oak will always reign supreme, brushed brass will always be preferred, carpeting is a MUST HAVE,I will never live in a DARK hole,ceilings scream to be white,ceiling fans are my favorite "green" element,and function always out weighs form when purchasing "fixed" finishes in a home.