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Are there any top-down bottom-up blackout cellular shades that are actually durable? Even given daily operation in a window that gets direct sun? For years on end? The ones we have keep breaking. [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:17 AM - 8 answers

I would like to hire an interior designer in San Francisco who'll come to my house. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:52 PM - 2 answers

Looking for personal recommendations for a rental real estate agent in the East Bay! [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 11:58 AM - 3 answers

TLDR is I am imagining a stand that can easily rise up high, but also go down low. It would have wheels, so that you could sort of "bring it out" from out from under somewhere, adjust it to a nice viewing height, then easily "collapse" it and roll it back to where you store it [more inside]
posted by wooh at 11:20 PM - 10 answers

Our patio furniture cushion covers need replacement, interior foam is still fine. The original manufacturer was Crate and Barrel, but they don't seem to sell the same cushions now. [more inside]
posted by lemonade at 12:26 PM - 3 answers

We've been looking into replacing our aged central AC and our gas-powered hydronic heat with an air-source heat pump. We already have ducts for the AC, but they are in the ceiling and cooled air flows down from them into the house. The HVAC guy pointed out that if the heat pump pumped heat through those ducts, it would be inefficient because heat rises, so he suggested either building floor ducts (which is expensive) or going with a ductless system. It makes sense, but I just want to check: How inefficient is it? Is there really no way to use these ducts we already have? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 9:04 AM - 11 answers

For the last 6 months there have been some mysterious black spots and specks that seem like some kind of ink in one of our bathtubs. I cannot for the life of me figure out what it is or where it’s coming from. Pics and video inside [more inside]
posted by arm426 at 3:59 PM - 16 answers

We just got new mini splits installed in two upstairs rooms. The one in our bedroom is doing this thing when it's cold out and I'm not sure if it's normal operation or something we should call the installer about. If the latter, any info you might give about what could be happening would help prepare me for that conversation. [more inside]
posted by misskaz at 4:42 AM - 7 answers

We recently picked up a mirror from a thrift store that has installed D rings but no picture wire. Do we need to buy something specific or will the stuff I found in our toolbox work? [more inside]
posted by thecaddy at 4:25 AM - 7 answers

Do you have a clover lawn? If so, what can you tell me? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 5:01 PM - 11 answers

Pop quiz, hotshot. You own a house. There's not really a yard to speak of. No one else has a veto. You can do anything you like with it. You don't care if the house is later listed on sites where people gawk at real estate listings and wonder what on earth the owner was thinking. In fact you want to make it weird, like that one video about the tiny house with fold-away furniture. What do you do? [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 10:38 AM - 64 answers

We had one tea mug left that was perfect, but it broke a while ago, and I am fed up with all the other mugs we have that aren't perfect. Unfortunately, the maker's mark disappeared from the bottom of the mug, and I can't find a similar one in dozens of image searches. [more inside]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:27 AM - 5 answers

What type of cleaning products should I use to clean limestone-looking concrete floor that may not have a varnish seal over the top? I don't want to cause permanent stains. [more inside]
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 5:33 AM - 1 answers

I wanted to ask the hivemind’s advice about obtaining art prints to hang in your home. We really like this painting and wanted a high quality print. We reached out to the artist's estate by email and phone a few times and it ultimately just fizzled out because they weren't too responsive. any other ideas or suggestions?
posted by Lucubrator at 8:44 PM - 5 answers

Here is a photo of sandstone being chiseled. How would a go about smoothing it out to eliminate the grooves?
posted by falsedmitri at 6:04 PM - 3 answers

I need to buy bath and face towels online, to replace my old Wamsutta towels that are sadly no longer available. I don't want bath sheets and don't need washcloths, although if I find a set I like that includes washcloths, that would be ok as long as it's no more than two washcloths. I'd like recommendations. They must be 100% cotton, medium weight, soft, well made, and no more than $100 for two bath towels and two face towels, or a six-piece set (bath, face, wash). Can you help?
posted by Dolley at 4:42 PM - 5 answers

I seem to be better than usual lately at losing things in my black backpack. I want a couple backpacks and or bags that have light lining. I am finding these very difficult to google for. Can you guys share any leads ? Not trying to spend a lot , would prefer black or dark color exterior. Don’t need it to be fancy not trying to hike the Appalachian trail with it or anything. Thank youuu in advance!
posted by elgee at 4:59 PM - 24 answers

I saw this TV frame in a layout of the Mid-Century modern rooms at the Howard Johnson Anaheim. I really like it, but can't seen to find anything like it for sale. Maybe I could make one? [more inside]
posted by Marky at 7:22 PM - 17 answers

I have the map of a house lot that includes a curved corner. Based on the numbers & angles indicated on this excerpt of the plat map (linked here), how long are the orange lines in feet? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 5:48 PM - 6 answers

What are the pros/cons of living on a floating house? [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars at 11:42 AM - 12 answers