can you find out what stuff is renting for in your area, with those amenities? I wouldn't pay THAT much extra for hookups, bcs it's not useful unless I actually buy (or rent) the machines themselves. So the hookups don't save me anything unless I fork out some more money. I wouldn't want to pay more for washer&dryer than I'd pay at a launderette. In other words, if I did 4 loads a week (which is about what I did when I was single), at $3 per load for washer and $3 for dryer, that's $96 a month. So I'd pay about $100 extra a month, but I'd prefer to pay more like $75 extra, because I'd want to actually SAVE money. It's true I'd save bigtime on convenience. Maybe I'd pay the full $100 a month if it INCLUDED the cost of hot water, electricity, and water itself. Fridge, well, pro-rate a reasonable amount. You could buy a used fridge for what, $200? (most times, in a rental, you get a used fridge) And a new one without any bells and whistles is $600 at Sears. So I wouldn't pay more each month than it would cost me to pay for it myself. $200 divided by 12: $16.60 per month. (A *new* fridge would be $50 a month for a year, but that's too high) Frankly, I think every apartment ought to have a fridge--renters shouldn't be expected to supply their own major appliances. I'd expect to pay LESS than the going rate for an apt. w/o a fridge--enough less that I could buy it easily in a year. I wouldn't pay MORE than the going rate for anything but a place with washer & dryer. But I think it's cheap beyond words for a landlord not to provide a fridge. I know when you buy a home, in some localities you have to negotiate the appliances separately, but frankly I think THAT is cheesy.

we've had a few contractors out and they all nixed my original upstairs plans because they said that wall could not be removed. so now we are getting estimates for butting the wall out a bit to the left (in the middle room) and removing the closet in order to create a 9x10 bedroom, and then having a hallway to the back bedroom. i'm very happy with the new plans, but i'm anxiously awaiting to see how much it will cost. we have some roofing issues we have to deal with in order to expand the middle room the mere 3x5 feet - but it will make all the difference and allow us to have a usable bedroom. i can't wait!

Makeithome- Love your inspriation pictures! I have one question. Is there a bathroom and an office, between the kitchen and breakfast room? Do you think you'll eat there more often, or in the dining room? Also, have you thought of putting a french door in the living room, to separate it from the sun room. Depending on how you use the sunroom, this would allow some sound control and give you a great place to put an extra chair or Christmas tree, when necessary. It's nice to have some comfy dining chairs that you can use in the living room, for extra seating, during the holidays. And, it's easier to use a room, when it can be closed off (even if only temporarily). Sitting in front of a french door, is easier than sitting in front of an opening. I think I would turn the sunroom/breakfast room into a combination tea room and library, but that's just me, since I love tea. (LOL) It would be a great place for a few plants (maybe some herbs) and a hutch with fancy teacups and teapots. The front part of the sunroom would make a nice library, with a few comfortable, upholstered chairs for reading, etc. Bookshelves are always a good idea. I like the idea of closing off the living room window and adding a bookcase, with more bookcases on the other side of the wall. Once you decide how you're going to use your rooms, I think it will be much easier to choose paint colors. Think about how you want to use your spaces and everything else should fall into place :)

put the sofas across from each other, the longer one where the love seat is now and the love seat on the tv side. When possible replace the love seat with two chairs, perhaps that swivel. invest in some blinds so the tv glare can be relieved when needed. Move to gray shades of furnishings, blues creams. Buy a long tv console, light wood tones or reclaimed rustic look can work here too. Ottman for sofa side, with end tables, two end tables for chair side. Put a sofa table behind the sofa book case would be good on that wall. Might make a good little play area spot back there in the future.