apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Looking for chunky, white, floating shelves. I want something more substantial (& in different lengths) than IKEA Lack. Any ideas?

Check out the Container Store MattG - they've had chunky floating shelves in the past.

west elm has a similar shelf to the lack shelf. it comes in some different lengths and in white... i can't speak for how substantial they are though.

Lowe's (and probably Home Depot) also have basic floating shelves

I'm looking for some inexpensive blackout cellular shades. I looked all over the internet last night, and the cheapest I could find was about $120 (for 33 x 68 shade). I was expecting about $50-70. I had no idea shades were so expensive. Anyone have any ideas?

My sister (and roommate) has the floating shelf from west elm and it has held up pretty well, better than a couple other IKEA shelves we have, and it looks better.

random question, but how do you start an open thread?

jyw
The previous owner had these kind of shades installed throughout my condo. He left behind the receipt and paid in the low $3,000's for 11 regular honeycomb shades and 4 blackout honeycomb shades, so I would imagine $120 isn't such a bad deal (of course his price probably included installation too.) I've been wanting to replace them with wood blinds, but haven't been able to justify just tossing them in a closet somewhere when they're in such great shape. I'd be willing to strike up a deal though...

Well, this is random, but why not? It's an open thread :-) I have a futon that I am considering getting rid of. As far as futons go, it's a nice one...but I'm moving soon and just don't know that I even like it well enough to drag it around on the move. Will I regret not having a place for guests to sleep if I sell it? Are options like air mattresses really all that viable/comfortable?

Kitty -- I slept on a cheapo air mattress for an entire summer during grad school. Very comfortable (and adjustable to pretty much any firmness)--WAAY more comfortable than your average futon.

I would get rid of the futon and get an Aero bed. They take up far less room and are more comfortable!

Great, thanks outonalimb and first5times! I secretly hate futons and was hoping someone would tell me it was ok ;-)

I've submitted this question to every section of AT but it hasn't been asked so I guess it's not a Good Question. But I still need some input -

How does everyone feel about buying major upholstered furniture (sofas, chairs) without trying them out first? There are so many wonderful pieces online but I am very leery of making such a large purchase without sitting in them. Case in point - my mother needs a wing chair but she's not in any physical condition to go around trying them. How do you make this kind of decision?

anne, I haven't bought much online but I did buy a couple of chairs and they were not as comfortable as I had hoped. It made me realize that one of the most important features of living room furniture is that it be comfortable and cozy. That is the kind of thing best evaluated in person. Can you try things in person for your mom? Otherwise, I would look for websites with lots of reviews OR look for info/reviews on AT and elsewhere. Good luck!

anne: If its not possible to try it out then I would tend to the pay-for-what-you-get assumption. There's no savings in furniture. Craftsmanship costs money. So I say find a design you like then go with a reputable manufacturer.

Good luck!

MattG - I have some shelves from the Container Store and they are very sturdy. I don't know what they have in the way of colors and sizes right now, but they will definitely hold up well for you!

I just moved to chicago in december. Since I've been here, I have used my microwave twice. right now, it's actually not even plugged in nor anywhere near my counter. How many other people live without a microwave? It seems like a large appliance that's mostly a luxury so I was wondering if I was the only person that finds it obnoxious...

Voodoodle - a few years ago my microwave broke so I tossed it. I liked the counter space it left behind so I decided not to get another one. I ate better because I wasn't buying frozen foods but fresh instead. And since I use my oven for storage it made me really think about the foods I was eating and how they were prepared. (did I really want to empty out the oven just to make a baked potato?). I use my cast iron grill skillet almost every evening and just recently purchased a microwave off Craigslist. I still rarely use it.

Voodoodle - My boyfriend didn't have a microwave growing up (he's 25, so microwaves were perfectly common) and he's lived without one for about 8 months in his new apt. He doesn't miss it at all. I, however, would certainly miss it.