lazygardens asked for: A washing machine and dryer that can send you an IM over the house network when it has finished. That's all - nothing fancier needed. I want a dryer that starts even when you forget to push the button. Oh, and even better, a washer that moves the clothes to the dryer for you. We're facing the tech question now because we'll be building soon. I'm pretty sure I want a programmable front door lock. Our Nest never learned a pattern from us, because 1) we both work at home so don't have predictable schedules and 2) the thermostat is too high on the hall to notice when I walk by. I thought it was broken, but, no, I'm just short. We've never had a "is the garage door closed?" capability but wouldn't object to it. I won't spend extra for our smoke detectors to talk to our thermostat. We have no interaction besides batteries with our CO2 detector or smoke detectors. I don't need them to be smart--just to work. I'm interested in being able to turn off all the lights at once but don't know that I care about mood settings. I insist on being able to turn on the outside light from my car--DH programmed that for me so my 3rd HomeLink button in the car turns on the outside lights--I love that. It's even better than the motion sensitive light, because that didn't click in until I was already in the driveway. (I've already got the tall dark and handsome part down)

Cute apartment. A few ideas: Floor plant on one side of fireplace to bring some color on that side Sofa is small so don’t do too many pillows. 1-2 and a cozy throw for the NYC cold winters! Small round storage ottoman (on wheels or sliders) nestled by fireplace can be storage and pulled out for storage too (maybe something with texture ) Where do you eat? The types of coffee tables with a top that hinges up/out to become a table is a good idea. Someone posted upthread but West Elm and other box stores sell them. Rug- great way to bring in color (even if it’s subtle). Just make sure you get a size big enough but one that gues by impede movement of your office chair. It looks like you work at home a lot. Gallery wall above sofa would be nice. Current art is too small and high. Kitchen- looks clean! Add color with wood cutting board, colored teal kettle or bowl of oranges/apples, salt/pepper shaker. You also consider a series of art/prints in the wall above the cabinets. Can’t wait to see what you do!

I like wallpaper and I have used it as an accent wall. But the placement of the wallpaper is wrong, and it doesn't look like the background matches the paint color which makes it look even more off. Especially that strip in front of the bed is just wrong. I guess what also bothers me is the house is very victorian, so if you are going to wallpaper, it should be done more completely so it better echoes the past. Yes it did lead to very dark rooms, but if that's what you're going for, then do it. Otherwise, especially if you're selling, don't go there. And don't get me started on those awful blue cabs in the kitchen. Ugh.

Yes well I admit the flowers are mostly opening near the ground at the moment, and so this pic would have been below the snowline. The upper branches are burnt, as are all camellias in my garden to some degree. (other than the small 'Yume' that was totally covered in snow!)