The Miele speed ovens will serve quite well as a microwave so long as you can live without the popcorn/defrost/dedicated functions available with one button push. The unit does have a minute plus button that will, with one push, start the microwave, so you can do a coffee reheat, melt butter, etc. But for more complex microwaving, you need to go into the menu structure to select power, duration, etc. But it is an excellent microwave. Instead of turning the food on a turntable, it turns the antenna! The big charm of the things is that they can convection bake, broil, or microwave, or all of the above, concurrently. There are modes you can dial up that will heat up the oven cavity using the heating elements and then inject some microwaves periodically, greatly speeding up the baking, but with results like the dish was baked in a standard oven. Our speed oven has taken over as the go-to oven in our house for most stuff. It won't do pizza very well (you need bottom heat for that) but for most dinners where you are serving one baked dish with sides, it rocks. Here's the deal, though. If you decide on a speed oven you will have to plan for a 220-240V circuit to power it.

Pictures would help. I am a visual person and would take some painters tape and literally take the measurements of the furniture you're looking at and tape it to the floor. See if there is enough walk space, etc. I would look at the Lazy Boy apartment/city line to see how they look size wise. I'm not saying buy there but check out the scale of the pieces. The worst furniture I can think of for a smaller space is what I'd call the 'soumo wrestler' look'. That is that overstuffed brown poufy stuff. I'd also suggest a light color paint throughout your space and the same floor coverings throughout your space. It works well for my 1400 sq. feet. My husband might gasp but I'd paint your brick and wood the same tone. Less is more. Think of the analogy to the 'little black dress'. it looks awesome because there aren't a lot of ruffles, sequins ad distractions.

I love the style of that pillow! We just moved in 3 weeks ago so I'm not going to rush to buy things. I had in mind an all white pillow with some kind of texture... But since the pillows I already gave are solid colors probably something with a little pattern is a good idea. I was planning to add a white pillow to the ones I already gave... Do you think something with a touch of green would be good to tie it all together?

If buying a new rug, suggest a color that works with the wall on left and with different cushions, your room will also feel more coordinated. If your preference is keeping navy and rust accents, suggest painting the wall a complementary color and be sure your rug choice ties everything together.