I got my mom this atomic clock/weather station. Gives indoor/outdoor highs/lows for the last 12 hrs, predicts weather for next 12/24 hrs. They say it takes 14 days to set itself to predict weather, but mine started showing snow on screen on 3rd day, next morning we had snow. (Got one for myself, my LaCrosse bit the dust after 3 yrs). This is an Acu-Rite brand, super easy set up. I like it for her because the screen is big, easy to read. One "con" is no LCD contrast adjustment, has to be hung at a higher spot on wall so other background images don't "shadow" on the screen. (Tho it will also stand, like a picture frame.) Another great stocking stuffer are those $15 remote light switches. (Can't find a pic of one & need to head out now, but they are everywhere now, Walgreen's, Ace, big box stores). There are two kinds. You plug a lamp into the switch, then either operate the lamp from a push button remote or wall 'flip' switch you can install in a handy spot (double faced backing or small screws). My mom took a few tumbles, so I hooked one up to her bedside lamp and set remote on her bedside table. All she has to do is press remote now, rather than reach over for lamp's switch. Those have been so handy I've given her several, she loves them!

Since feedback seemed to be mixed, I decided to let my DD make the final decision. She kept asking me which desk I preferred, but I wouldn't tell her. She opted for the larger desk with more drawer space painted white paired with the Victorian chair. Loves the idea of the fabric bulletin board over the desk so I'll order extra fabric for that as well. Also loves the idea of a glass top where she can slide her artwork, pics and certificates underneath. Regarding the suggestions for a different room layout, believe it or not I've tried most all of them. Each one has pros and cons in a room this small. Bottom line, tho, is if I center the daybed under the window that leaves approx. 18" per side. Putting either the desk or dresser where the bookcase is now results in a blocked corner behind the bed since both are greater than 18" deep whereas bookcase is only 10" deep. So while the result I know is cramped on the desk/dresser wall, it really is quite functional--dresser adjacent to closet and desk adjacent to bookcase. lyban: "Funner" was quite popular among my middle DD's 8-th grade class last year; unfortunately their English teacher informed them it is NOT a word. Didn't stop them from using it tho... Computerkluz: Would love to see some pics of your desks. pamlipsest: Thanks for the info on the 30/70 ratio. That makes a lot of sense to me. ruthy1: What a great idea to mask off the inlay! mzdee: I love RAF too and have had great success as well when I refinished my DR chairs. bungalow_house: Aren't small rooms a pain to decorate? My middle DD's is even smaller (9x10) and has a bigger closet. Not too much I can do with that room either--but she's a teenager and really into floor decor (where everything seems to be all the time). So while younger DD's room is a tad crowded with furniture, at least she'll have space for everything plus a big open space in the middle. And yes, she (and I) can access each nightstand. One thing that did not make the cut is her stand up easle/white board--she was trying to figure out how set could squeeze it in between the bookcase and nighstand believe it or not. I told her I buy a white board to mount on the wall to the right of the bookcase and she can use the nighstand drawer for her pens and eraser, etc. les: A fake fur seat sounds so fun and comfy! I'm sure DD would love it. I'll have to look into some different fabrics. Can you recommend a good website for fabrics? I think DD wants to use the aqua dot fabric somewhere as well, but I can use it for her bulletin board. I was worried the cotton fabric wouldn't be sturdy enough so this sounds like a better option. The different colored drawers sound really fun and pretty also, but I plan to stick with just white and add color with fabrics and wall paint which are easier to change when she grows tired of it.

Nothing appears wrong with the PERMANENT wiring. There's tons of problems with the cordage plugged into it. The splices (especially the one where the grounded cord is spliced tot he ungrounded one). I fear greatly the one that comes out of the bottom of the cube tap and you can see the is being unzipped which lends me to believe there is more hanky panky just out of the picture. The code detests extension cords and cube taps, but only endeavors to make the permanent wiring such not to require them but doesn't forbid them, except to bar them from substituting for permanent wiring (running through walls, etc...). What's that wart that everything is plugged into, a timer? Some x.10 thingy? This post was edited by ronnatalie on Sat, Nov 22, 14 at 8:05

It depends on what you're looking for. Fluorescent over cabinet fixtures will provide the greatest amount of indirect light while rope lights will provide the least. If you want to be able to dim the lights, choose a xenon light strip: it's the only product that will be completely dimmable. However, xenon light strips are also probably the most difficult to install. Rope lights are typically considered the least expensive option but they are also comparable in price to microfluorescent light fixtures and xenon light strips. With rope lights, you can choose between incandescent and LED light. LED is more energy-efficient and the light appears to be a bit more white than the yellow of incandescent. There are so many options - I can see why you're looking for direction! It's hard to sum up everything in a comment but feel free to comment back with any specifics you're looking for so I might help provide more guidance. In the meantime, check out the "FAQ" tab on the link I'm adding, it might be very helpful. Here is a link that might be useful: Over Cabinet Lighting