apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Having been "welcomed" I guess I should post here (I live outside of NYC and usually post there).

Question: Can I change the base of an Eames rocker chair? It's not an original base and I need more chairs than rockers.

Does anyone know of a place in the city to get reasonably priced plants? I'd rather not go all the way out to the burbs just to get some plants for my balcony, but I don't want to spend a fortune either.

Jooly - Home Depot on Halsted has plants pretty reasonably priced.

Did AT do a bathroom month? I thought so but I can't remember. About to start rehabbing our small bathroom so would love to see some ideas. Thanks.

I think March was bathroom month but I don't know if the photos are all in one space.

I've been tasked with finding someone to clean out the dryer vents in my nine-unit condo building (the actual vents to the building's exterior; not the individual dryers). I'm not sure who to call about this - any suggestions?

mdeathstar, you may want to just trade in your rocker for a chair. Changing the base sounds expensive and/or time-consuming.

Jooly--Hello. One of my garden stores is a small family run business in Humboldt Park called Adams & Sons on California Ave. I buy most of my annuals there and have purchased perennials there, too.

It seems the woman is the one with the most tips and often her husband will defer to her green thumb, so I usually ask her questions when I'm searching for plants with specific growing conditions.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/adams-and-son-gardens-chicago

The prices there are really good, too. My mother is an avid gardener and has been known to buy things from A&S to bring back to Wisconsin because their prices beat many of the stores in her town. This place beats the major box stores by a landslide in variety and price. By mid May the selection is great and it continues to be well stocked throughout the summer.

Does anyone need any of the extra trim pieces from an IKEA kitchen? I'm talking about the Crown piece and the piece for underneath the upper cabinets. I have about 10 new in box of each that I would like to give away to someone who could use them.

I'm in bucktown and around this week

Chris
cacarollo@yahoo.com

Thanks for the info on Adams & Sons and HD. Plants, here I come!

jooly, I just ran past Adams & Sons yesterday and I definitely plan on going back to check it out - it looks promising!! A note, the frost date in Chicago this year is May 15th, so you may want to wait a couple more weekends before getting your plants unless you are cool with taking the time to cover them or move them indoors on some of these cold evenings. There should be a wider selection of flowers by then as well.

I agree...wait to plant unless you can be sure to bring in pots. I usually start my outdoor work in May (around mother's day) but this year, I may start a bit later. Happy gardening, everyone!

bumblebee - where did you see that the frost date for this year is may 15? this put it at april 22nd.

Hi any such name - I saw that in the Almanac too, but a guy at Sprout Home told me May 15, so I went with that (particularly given the weather we've had these last couple days)

P.S. Yay Old Farmer's Almanac - it reminds me of my Dad!

I've been planning for May 15 as the Chicago frost free date. I think years ago it used to be April 15, but due to inclimate weather over the years, its been pushed forward. Good rule of thumb: after Mothers Day you are in the clear. I started seeds indoors about a month ago, and thats been an interesting project.

Jooly - I second the comments per Adams and Sons, they are so knowledgable and reasonably priced. If you are looking for vegetables, fruit, berry transplants, try the Green City Market which opens in Lincoln Park in mid-may. Also Kilbourn Park hosts an organic plant sale every year in May. Get there early to find all kinds of goodies!

Does anyone have experience with Ticks? I found one on my dog last night- I got it out and it was still flat so it hadn't fed - but now I am concerned about the house. I live in a rather wooded lot so I think this might be the wave of the future- any tips????

Hi Kathryn,

I don't know if it's too late or not but my friend just started his own business cleaning out dryer vents.

Now where the hell did I put his card?

I'll get back with that...

Here's my dilemma:

I need track lighting for my concrete ceiling.

I was looking at this http://www.lightwavesconcept.com/product.php?productid=18344&cat=591&page=1

Problem--if the power canopy is to attach to a 4" junction box then the ceiling standoffs will then be 4" shy of the ceiling.

How can I install this without digging into the concrete to mount a junction box flush with the ceiling?

My other option is a low voltage system that could be powered from any location but 2 x the cost.

I need an on-line source for towels in unusual colors. We redid our bathroom and I'm looking for something in bright orange or grape purple or peacock blue to add a splash of color.

Bath photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdeathstar/2454980711/in/photostream/

mdeathstar - I've done this exact thing. it's not expensive or difficult at all. Check out this ebay seller, he/she has lots of supplies for changing up eames chairs so if you write them they'll probably have what you're looking for.

or you could check out modernica.net, but that's much more expensive.