apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow, slow posting day. Does anyone have any good tips on how to paint the top edge of a wall when the ceiling is that acoustic pointy stuff? I've not found a good way to keep the edge clean.

Along the same lines, what is the going rate for painters in CHI?

Very, very carefully!

My husband and I just finished repainting and we too have the dreaded "popcorn" ceilings. Tape doesn't work, and those plastic edgers don't work. Pretty much nothing works except a steady hand and a sturdy brush!

I'd recommend splurging on a good-quality brush with stiff natural bristles. You'll be able to get closer to the popcorn and will have better control. I liked a small angled brush and my husband was using a larger flat brush. Whatever works for you.

Get a good ladder and hunker down for the process. A sort of pushing technique worked for us where we gently urged the paint closer and closer to the popcorn. As you know, it's not a flush edge, so there's some negotation. It probably won't ever be perfect, but you can for sure get "close enough."

Not sure on the going rates since we did it ourselves, and we had pretty good results but aren't for hire! :P

I think it depends on the amount of detail work you need to have done (i.e. trim work versus flat wall surface) as well as the number of coats you want, etc.

I had my place completely repainted after I bought it and it only cost about $1700. But, I did not get the trim around the doors and floors done and since I was not changing the color, I only had one coat without primer.

As the treasurer for my condo building, I can tell you that when we had our common areas repainted a couple of years ago (1 coat, with primer, and numerous patching requirements) the estimates were between $3300 and $4200.

So I guess the answer is that it depends on more than just how much space you have. Get a couple of estimates first.

Has anyone used (or seen) the trig file cabinet from CB2:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=302&f=1979

How sturdy is it? How does it compare to Steelcase or Bisley?

PLANTS
since this site is all about plants this month & i'm guessing most of us don't have loads of space, do any of you know a good website for indoor plant care advice?
i'm moving into a new place in sept so i don't want to bother w/ anything outdoors till next spring.

Does anyone get bottled water delivered to their home? I'm hoping to find actual spring water for delivery to Chicago, not Hinckley because it's my understanding that they are not really spring water, but filtered. Any ideas?

Design Dabbler -- I was at CB2 yesterday, and coincidentally noticed that file cabinet. Looked pretty sturdy to me, although certainly not in that indestructible-tank-could-take-a-Cadillac-head-to-head-and-win solidness of Steelcase. For the price, not bad.

Marisa: Thanks. As you say (in a "wish I'd thought of that description" way), nothing matches the toughness of steelcase. You can often get used steelcase cheap, and get it professionally spray painted a color of your choice. That might be a way I'd want to go. I've always wanted an indestructible, pink file cabinet.

Hi all,

I'm moving from my apartment into a condo, and would like to sell my couch, but I have no idea what to ask for it.

It's a Henredon, which I understand to be a very good brand, well made. It's a low-profile sectional in 3 angular pieces, that can be arranged to make a J or U shape. It's navy, but admittedly there's some fading due to sun, since I've lived in very sunny apartments.

How would I find out what something like this is worth?

Thanks!

DD - I've had this file cabinet for going on three years now, and it's worked out well. quite sturdy, good quality, and the wheels come in handy for cleaning behind/under and retrieving cat toys. i recommend!

Thanks, Christine S. Do you, or anybody else, know how the CB2 Trig cabinet compares with C&B's Flex (for sturdiness)?
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1101&f=10492

Regarding the couch price... First, Hendredon is a very good brand - I don't think you can even get their couches outside of the trade. On that note, they are fairly pricy brand new, and someone who wants a Hendredon style may be willing just to get the quality and reupolster is anyway. On Hendredon's website, they have a list of designers who know their product very well (www.henredon.com, "To the Trade", 'Diamond Designers"). You could probably call one of them and they may be able to help you out, based on its age, etc., or just have a recommendation for you.
Generally speaking though, I have found couches to be a little like used beds - people don't want to spend too much on them and I probably wouldn't try to ask more than half the original price (depending how old it is). Good luck!

OK. I spelled Henredon wrong twice.
Just to confirm, the address is www.henredon.com

I have a Henredon that I bought at Field's Clearance Furniture Floor on 9--yes, that long ago since they no longer have the selection since they started holding weekly warehouse sales...definately not the same. It looks as good today as it did the day I got it about 10 years ago. For much of the time, it was my only seating, so it is very very quality.

Here's my question...where can I take a chandelier that I bought on craigs to make sure that the wiring is still good and not a fire hazard?

Janel, if you happen to pass through, can you tell me what the colorful art is for the top of the thread? Kind of blackish flowers with yellow, green, turquoise, red in the background? Where is it from?

If it was all the brighter colors, it would be too bright. The black overlaid calms the brightness, but doesn't make it somber, because the flowers are playful. Or the flowers could be a little scary and pointy.

If you say your child did it, please send me your address and I shall send art materials for your child to continue to create stuff *I* like. Hah!

I added the info and a link to the artwork to the top of the post.

Sarah: First off I would visually assess the wiring-- is the insulation cracked of frayed? Are all the connection still taped? Are the sockets setting properly? If so, go out to the hardware store and buy a $10 voltage meter-- wire the piece up to and extension cord and plug it in-- then test al the sockets and connections for voltage loss or drops. If it looks like you have a problem that can’t be fixed with new electrical tape, you may want to go to a pro for a re-wire.

For that, you can go to any one of a fairly large number of electricians that specialize in the antique lighting trade. Hit the phone book or give one of the bigger re-sellers of antique lighting, such as Salvage One or Architectural Artifacts, a call for a list of referrals.

One word of warning- I used to do a lot of business with some of these electricians- Ed Snow, Russ and Ed Rowe, Cavalier to name a few and the axiom seemed to be that the better the price the slower the service.

Thanks, Dajmar...long ago I worked at Architectural Artifacts. I remember they did have a short list of referrals. I'll call Stuart. Thanks for the reminder and the suggestions.

Hi Marisa-

My boyfriend, Andrius, is a painter and he charges $20-$30 per hour, depending on what you're getting painted. If you want some examples of his work, check out our house tour by clicking on my name. He painted every wall in that place! If you want more info, tips, etc, let me know or shoot him an email at andriusjutzi@yahoo.com.

Jessica, thanks. I will keep that in mind!

Thank you Janel! It's soooo lovely. I like how the name of the site is "Modern Poverty" which got my hopes up of affordability, until I saw the prices. I guess I'll have to wait for the limited edition postage-stamp-sized version.

Huh, do ya think if I add it to the Gift Registry, some mysterious stranger will buy it for me? ;)

my shower curtain keeps falling down, any suggestions?