I had drama with my kitchen up-grade. Actual granite slab didn't exactly match the sample, sooooo....had to re-seclect the backsplash, twice! Once because of color, and the second time because the edges on the tiles weren't true, and the grout line could not be made straight. Had to go ahead and have the cabinets painted because the old pickled finish looked totally terrible with the new countertops/backsplash. That was in the plan, I had just hoped it would be a gradual expense rather than an all-at-once expen$e! While I would love to have brand new custom cabinets, that was just not possible for me. The old ones are wood...just ugly wood. Now they look great! Then I decided the dishwasher (original to the house...appx 17 yrs.) looked ugly and stuck out too much. Knew the microwave didn't look so great, but was going to live with it...and then it croaked. I had only minor sink and cook-top drama...just expect some glitches here and there. Guy didn't hook new disposal up correctly, and there was a leak...or could we say lake, under the sink. So, I'm in the middle of this kitchen mess, and people at the office said, "let's have the Christmas party at your house." Now there had been a delay in completion, because the painter's son had to have emergency surgery, and he couldn't show up for several days. I understand the need to be with your child. Told my contractor about the party drama, and they worked magic! Got the cabinet doors and drawer fronts back in place, cleaned up the dust, and came back to touch-up and finish-up, days later. I'm trying to get brave enough for some bathroom cosmetics...more on that, later. Oh, by the way...I love my kitchen! I know you will, too. Better post some befores and afters!

Not yet ncrealestateguy, although my agent said they probably want to come back tomorrow to view the condo in daylight. My agent said they LOVED everything about the condo and especially all the built-in's, and they liked that the condo was so well "organized" and fresh looking. They said the other ones they looked at in the building looked "older". (This was a professional couple in their early 40's) She is still waiting to hear from their agent as to their thoughts.

This makes me want to go stay in a little walk-out apartment on a historic street. I'd absolutely back a sofa or settee against one of the walls that meet in the right corner. Nothing acting as a barrier/division in the middle of the room. nothing large and fixed to walk around to get from one function to another. As for the rest of the living area: For a combination study table, dining table, and side table for a reading chair: A small rectangular table extending out from the other wall in the area the sofa would be in. Glass sounds good visually but could be solid and expandable. If extending out from the end wall near the kitchen, the table could also provide an occasional extra surface for the cook. That table could have a comfortable swivel chair on the sofa side for conservation that would swivel to face the table for study and dining. Then a compact but comfy chair that can tuck under the table for the kitchen side. A third, either always out elsewhere or folded in a closet or under the bed, could be moved to the end of the table for a guest. Toward the bedroom, bathroom, utility doors side, define that side of the living area with an easy chair positioned to both allow passage to the areas beyond and to make it clear that they are beyond, not in. Kitchen: My #1 need is work space. In that case I'd steal inches from the left of the sink, possibly steal from the sink, even take the 3" from the other side of the cooktop if needed/possible, to expand that workspace between sink and stove. Btw, I know I'd theoretically be willing to go for the 3" because we bought a little place with a mini kitchen that had the 30" stove directly against the closet on its left, work counter to its right. I'm left-handed but stove placement turned out to be no problem at all. To make it feel spacious and uncluttered, a generally monochromatic background, including walls, cabinets, large furniture, and some of the smaller pieces, even possibly the floor. That would set off accents chosen for being both functional and because you like to look at them, also to provide balance and focus and draw the eye away from what you don't want noticed. No large, dramatic contrasts that would break the room up, including look-at-me! rugs (unless one was a major feature in an otherwise quiet room). Let the eyes flow serenely around. Looking forward to seeing what you guys decide to do.

I wouls start by putting drain cleaner down the drain often the smell is just youck caugt in the pipes and often this could be it in a old buliding and also the vent pipes could be plugged with leaves or even snow. I would also make sure the P trap has wated in it all the time this creates abarrier to keep sewr smells where they belong. I would start with the drain cleaner and you might want to check to see if your neighbors are having the same issue.