Raw City Home Lounge

A.  carnivorous insect similar to a Slug, which attaches itself to the genitals of small male dogs on hiking trails.

endangered slubacious greenadipod

B.    A faux finish on Veneers to reproduce the graining patterns of exotic woods such as Zebra Wood or Paduk.

C.     A small lump or nub in a yarn, which gives a rough texture to fabric.

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definitions courtesy of merrium webster

COFFEE TABLE  STYLE CLASH

Dear Maite & Daniel:

What are the rules regarding the sizes and shapes of coffee tables?

Daniel: Rule number one: don’t get one that’s too big.  You need 19” between the sofa and coffee table, and the table shouldn’t be longer than the seat cushions or else the sofa looks like a miniature.

Real men sit on yellow

Maite: Rule number two:  don’t listen to Daniel.  The design world has too many rules.  I like to create big surfaces in a living room to make the space warmer and balance out a large sofa.  Add two occasional chairs and the room has balance and flow.

Daniel: Rule number three:  Maite is on pills.  Nothing is worse than a room that feels packed to the walls with furniture.  How much stuff are you gonna put on that table anyway?

Maite: Rule number four:   just like a man, telling us that smaller is better.  I didn’t  say to put a dead elephant if front of your sofa, just that you may find a fantastic coffee table that stretches arm to arm,  or a long ottoman that everyone can put their feet on.

Oversized reclaimed coffee table atMortise & Tenon

Daniel: Rule number five.  There are no hard and fast rules.  The correct design  approach is combining good basics with the unexpected that works for you and your  taste.  Your question is so ginormous, we’ll  address style in part II.

Dear Maite & Daniel:

We are having our first child in six months (Yay!) and are concerned with all the toxins that are used in the furniture manufacturing process.  How can we keep our Los Angeles home eco friendly, and have a great looking eco interior?

Signed Worried  Parents to be

Daniel: If it ain’t made of grass, it ain’t  green made in my book. Seriously, the first thing you’re gonna want to do is move, far away, out of LA and probably the country, we recommend Venus.  There are more poisons in the air and water here than in most of what you can buy in a furniture store.

Maite: Aside from that, the easiest thing you can do is to shop for things made here in California that has some of the strictest environmental laws in the country.  Working with a custom builder who can tell you exactly what is in his finishes is safest.  Non-toxic lacquers and glues, bee’s wax finishes, and low VOC sealers are all readily available in most applications.

Daniel: But honestly, if you’re really concerned, get the kid a HAZMAT suit,

toxic family

and set up house in the Himalayas. Talk about green made!!!

photos courtesy of flickr

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