i know this is sort of off interior aesthetic topic, but i have a feeling that many of you basically know everything.

i am going to italy in september (taking classes in tuscany and then traveling with friends to venice, cinque terre, and rome), and would love any and all suggestions about hotels, atypical tourist destinations, really cool housewares stores, etc.

grazie!

I was just about ready to swear off Budget Living mag. Too kitchy, not enough real bargains, only worth it for the 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon in each issue.

Then I got the Aug/Sept issue. Big improvement. Anyone else see it? The photo spread on Patrick Moran's place was great and the coupon and introduction for Laurie Gate's kitchen ware was great too (click the link here to get the extra 15% off her ceramic cookware). Fun and if the stuff is good, it really is a deal.

They also feature an aloe plant. Suddenly, it's aloe everywhere: Room and Board store, West Elm and more. Kind of cool, but funny how they all have the same decor at the same time.

Haven't seen the new Budget Living yet but you have (can I say "our very own"?) Angela Matusik to thank for the improvement:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/main/archives/003093.html

Was at West Elm in Chelsea last night to check on sale items. Aloe is now last season. The new color for Fall is Pine. And they now carry furniture in an optional "Blonde" color. Hey they even have some "Zebrawood" items in the catalog.

West Elm has some very interesting new fall stuff. A bit of a change in direction for them, I think, and I like it. They have a series of metal table legs that you can match up with trays in different colors.

I think Aloe was a summer color, but they are deocrating the store with Aloe plants at the launch of this new line?

Ali—Lucky you going to Italy! I don't know if this is something you'd be interested in but University of Florence has a zoological museum that includes "La Specola," a collection of wax anatomical models. I had a class on historical freaks and monsters and we looked at some slides of the models--they are fantastic! (but only if seeing models of people with their innards exposed doesn't nauseate you)

Definitely see if you can find a hardware store. The European ones seem to carry stuff we don't see in the U.S.

Ali--No Florence? Try to find the "secret bakery" if you do go there. And Luca is worth a sidetrip (one of the few places I went that didn't have a McDonalds...*shakes a fist at McDonalds*).

jimkk (or anyone else who's been to a West Elm retail outlet)... How does the Zebrawood tray coffee table look in person? Does the quality look decent enough? I saw it online (and then the catalog) and my jaw dropped at the good price. I'm really considering buying two of these. And any feedback would be appreciated. (I like all of their Fall merchandise a lot. Third world modern--bring it.)

I am so jealous so many got their Fall West Elm catalogs already.

I too would love to know what the quality of the zebrawood tables is like. I love the look of their stuff in the catalogs and online but since I don't live close to their stores I can't vouch for the quality. I bought a chunky coffee table which I use as a low media holder which is terrible quality (sounds completely hollow and came with scratches-it scratches really easily too) but I've also bought a wall hung long shelf/cabinet with doors that is perfectly good quality. In the descriptions they appeared to be made of the same thing, but in reality it's clear that they are not. Perhaps the chunky pieces have the issues?

Reef

I'm getting the login to LA Sites popup again today. Not very therapeutic. : (

Me too, Doug. And no, it's not very.

- Curtis

Cinque Terre! Stay in Riomaggiore and spend time exploring the other towns. We found a great room right by the water for $50/night and spent ten days, eating pesto and reading. Heavenly!

If I can cope with the heat this afternoon after work, I volunteer to make a pilgrimage to West Elm to do a zebrawood quality reality check.

I don't think Angela was the editor for the new issue. It said it was Alex somebody, maybe an interim? Anyway, I did like the spread on Patrick Moran's place, but I agree that they don't do enough actual budget stuff. Or it's not that useful. Why oh why would I want to spend hours lighting 500 matches one by one to burn exactly the same amount just to make a matchstick frame? Budget is one thing, but ...

The "Small Space, Big Style" series premieres on HGTV tomorrow night (Thurs, 8/4) at 8 pm:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hssbs/episode/0,2496,HGTV_22676_39265,00.html

thanks for your italy suggestions (hardware store! of course! that's why i had to ask you guys)... now most of the planning is done, and i can just try to learn italian until we leave.

molte grazie!

i could've sworn i saw a post here recently about a good interior designer. one to one design? one on one design? something like that? anyone remember... or, for that matter, anyone have a designer that they love?

thanks.

Someone help please!

I just moved into a great new 1br+loft apartment in West LA, and I have a problem with wires behind my TV. The problem is, this is the only place I can put the TV, and it's the first thing people see when they walk in the room. Is there anything I can do to cover these wires (keep in mind I need some ventilation for the home theater components)? I was thinking some sort of wire mesh divider or something?? Anyone have any ideas? Are there any low dividers out there that might be cost efficient and helpful? Trying to squeeze all those wires in those plastic tubes you get from ikea won't work unfortunately (too many and they're going all directions). See the pix here. Thanks!

http://www.adamschwenk.com/pix/wirecables.jpg

http://www.adamschwenk.com/pix/wirecables2.jpg

Is that the view from your entrance into the apartment? I assume so, since you said that the cables are the first thing people see when they come in. Looks like they are also confronted by your bicycle. Why not get a folding screen to put in that area? You can tie up your wires with the standard twisties, and with a screen placed so it is behind the tv, they won't be noticeable upon entering. Maybe somehow (with a big enough screen), you can position it to hide the bike, too -- or have two screens).

I would be tempted to paint the underside of that staircase black, for starters, just to make the back of the TV and the bicycle disappear, and THEN see what, if anything, needs to happen next.

I think Curtis is actually the all-grown up Harold of "Harold and the Purple Crayon" fame.

That is of course meant as high complement. :)

I just moved into a great new place, about 4 years old and it's pretty perfect except it is scorching hot! Yes, its summer but his place's thermostat reads between 86-90 during the morning when it is only 69 outside. I can barely sleep. I spoke with the owner and she says its the sunlight, which is fooey, because Ive lived in buildings with floor to ceiling windows and never expereinced this. I do have an inwindow AC but that doesn't help. help, please?

I've never been able to get a good seal around my window unit, so I actually broke down this year and covered the window with that insulating plastic. Now I keep nice and cool, and have increased my trailer trash quotient enough that if Britney leaves K-Fed, I know I am next in line.

Perhaps you don't have sufficient BTUs?

Maybe you should consider getting a ceiling fan? I know that's the first thing the home decor shows rip out, but it worked for us. Our living room was miserably hot until we got a ceiling fan (nobody would use the room during the day). We also got curtains with UV lining and that helped too. But of course, who noticed the improved temperature immediately? Our cats, who hog the sofa every chance they get.

Made it to West Elm tonight, to check out the zebra wood items (tables with trays, block lamps) and I like 'em! They are a little yellow, but if I were in the market for a sleek-chic coffee table, I would have walked out with the big square one tonight.

joe--
What kind of design job do you need assistance with?

Patrick--Thank you so much for checking out the zebrawood items! I think I may end up buying two of the coffe tables and one of the floor lamps based on your recommendation. (I was in Portland this morning for a few hours and tried to make it to the West Elm store there between appointments but ran out of time...)

Make that "coffee" not "coffe"

I googled Harold and the Purple Crayon, and saw what looked kind of like Popeye's Swee'pea with a purple crayon surrounded by animals drawn with purple outlines, as if he just drew them and they came to life. I've never read it, but now I guess I'd better go to the Barnes & Noble and have a look!

I kind of get the idea that it sort of means that I think that a little paint (or crayon) and some vision can change things a lot, and I do! Thanks, Patrick.

That said ... sometimes you have to drag out your Purple Drill, your Purple Saw, your Purple Gluegun, or get the dry cleaner's tailor to work his Purple Sewing Machine, unless you're not afraid you'll sew through your own finger.

Just an update, someone else found the secret bakery in Florence! http://www.igougo.com/planning/journalEntryActivity.asp?JournalID=10555&EntryID=18367