apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I need to replace a non-standard lamp shade. Any good recommendations on where to go in Chicago or where to order?

I like - A Lamp Shoppe on Elston. They are very good at making suggestions for size shades for each individual lamp base. I tend to choose shades too small, the shopkeeper (very nice but brutally honest woman), always steers me larger. She has a great eye and years of experience.

I have a lamp that I would like to strip down to the wood. It has ages of tobacco smoke and the paint looks pretty shabby. I have stripped one down (using a green, non-toxic stripping agent) to the wood and found that I really like the natural color best. But heck if I am going to do the second one! It's a lot of work! Time to call a professional. Any suggestions on who to call?

I'm about to start a pantry redesign project - my pantry is a reach-in style, but it's deep (roughly 36" square), and I often find myself forgetting about what is hidden in back. Also, the developer outfitted it with those hideous wire shelves (with no support in the center), and they bow under even a small amount of weight - forget about more than 3 soup cans at a time!

Any ideas on the best way to reshelve, and make the best use of the space? Anybody out there with suggestions, or experience?

Parallelfirst, I can relate! I had a very similar situation to yours. We ended up install a hanging closet system (for open shelving up top) with base cabinets from Home Depot and laminate countertop. It was surprisingly easy, low cost with huge rewards! I think the whole project cost $500, and took half a day to install. The countertop took a little longer because had it cut to size.

Since we're on the topic of lamps, does anyone know a place that will cheaply rewire a lamp? I have a gorgeous 1930s deco art pottery lamp, but it desperately needs new innards.

If your pantry's wire shelves are set on brackets, you can just buy melamine covered shelving boards from Home Depot, Lowe's or a similar place. They aren't as heavy as laminate, and can be cut easily. Laminate also is heavier and thicker than shelving boards and will need to be supported well.

I first put in wire shelving in my pantry because I liked that my pantry light wasn't cut short and I could see each shelf pretty well, but when the shelves are full, it didn't matter. You also probably have the wire shelving meant for closets, which doesn't hold heavy stuff too well, and has wide spaced wire. They make a closer spaced wire shelf intended for pantries that holds more now.

Another suggestion: consider cutting your shelves into a U shape, so that each side is roughly 12-24" deep, leaving the open side where the door is. You won't lose as much stuff and you can leave some shelves that are lower the 36" square and you'll be able to see the entire shelf. Sort of like a mini walk-in pantry. What you lose with the cut out is less than what you used to not be able to see.

Hi.

It's me again with my sofa dilemma! My problem was a featured Good Question a while back... and now I think I've settled on this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/singleclickchick2/1108562822/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/singleclickchick2/1108563168/in/set-72157600452968019/

I'll get it in brown, as long as we can determine it will fit through the door!
It's the Margaret sofa from Macy's.
The fabric is cotton. I like it, it has good texture.
But it's not as durable as say... microfiber.

The saleslady says I can have it made in the brown microfiber for an extra $50. But I worry that microfiber is a little too
predictable / overdone right now.

And Macy's offers a protection plan including cleanings for 7 years for $89. If they can't clean it they replace it. I don't normally buy protection plans but this seems like a no-brainer!

Any thoughts, experience with this brand... or Macy's furniture? Their 'Worry-no-more' warranty?

At $699 plus $75 for delivery plus $80 for the maintenance plan... this is now a $900 sofa. is it worth it? This is my limit, I can't spend any more money on a sofa.

The construction looks good, corner block with screws. The cushions are foam (a tad squishy) and the pillows are fiberfill -so I can always add more.

Thanks!
CC

I think you've picked a very nice sofa, clickchick. The lines look good and it looks like it'll last a long time. I would avoid the microfiber, as I think your instinct on it is right - it's just seriously overdone right now. (I would get it only if you have cats, because cats don't seem to enjoy scratching microfiber or velvet as much as just plain fabric, at least mine don't anyway.)

As far as cost goes, it seems reasonable for a new sofa. Have you looked on Craigslist as well? There are many Crate & Barrel and Room and Board sofas out there in your price range, that may have started life as a more expensive couch. (I recently got a chocolate brown $3000 DWR couch for $650.) But if you want to buy new it looks like you've done your homework and bought a good couch.

The deal with the protection plan is that Macy's is banking on your not bothering to schedule cleanings. If you're the sort of person to be on top of this sort of thing, I'd spring for it, but if you're like me, you'll think "Oh I should call Macy's" every time you spill coffee but not actually do it. That's where dark brown comes in handy!

I have an oversized chair that I bought from Macy's which was a floor model. I have had it for a year now and I haven't had any problems. My cats have adopted the chair as "the best sleeping spot" and it still looks the same as when I got it. We had no problems with the delivery. It is a nice looking sofa and Macy's normally carries good qualty furniture. Good luck!

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the suggestions.

toomuchstuff,
Where did you get a DWR sofa for $650? Are you saying that Crate & Barrel or Room and Board now offer a DWR design or did you buy a used DWR sofa?

Sorry toomuchstuff... I clearly can't read. I understand what you are saying.

Thanks TooMuchStuff.

I've looked all over - and my biggest obstacles have been logistics (I have a wall immediately inside my front door - so fitting into my apt is tricky) and price.
So basically I found the style in a size that will work, and upped the price!

Oh. I'm the type of person to use the protection plan. I'm a stickler! I'll be calling in the service when needed. But I will be sure to read the contract carefully to be sure in includes what the brochure SAYS it includes!

The saleslady gave me a good tip... she recommends putting a copy of the contract in one of those plastic binder sheaths - and putting it under the couch cushions. That way when you vaccum the couch or flip the cushions, it's right there to remind you!

You're lucky to have found such a great sofa!!
I have had terrible luck looking on Craigslist Denver. I think it's because homes are bigger here... so no one sells a decent sofa ... they are relagated to the basement until they look like crud - THEN they put them on Craigslist!!
Anything relatively new has been too big to fit in my apt. Believe me, I've scoured it!

I got a lightly used DWR sofa on Craigslist for $650. (It was even listed in a Scavenger post here 2 or 3 weeks ago.) The previous owner (who was very nice) only had it for less than 2 years, and she was moving back to NY, so she sold all her furniture on the cheap. I don't think they sell this particular model any more, but it's a fabulous couch nonetheless.

...Gawd bless Craigslist, is all I have to say. It's a real PITA to comb the listings for what you want (I have been looking day after day for 2 living room chairs to match my spectacular new couch, with no luck), but you can find some great deals out there if you're willing to put a LOT of time into looking.

Anybody see two accent chairs with the perfect combination of modern form, comfy squoosh-i-tude, and general cuteness? That I don't need to recover? And that cost less than $350 total? Hahahaha! I'd better get lucky on CL again. Unless you have something in that sale for me, Patrick!

I had one lamp rewired here. It was inexpensive and they were very nice. I had to leave the lamp there and pick it up a few days later.

Marshall Electric Supply Inc
7400 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 764-8330

I bought two lampshades and had some rewiring done here,
it wasn't cheap but they are also very nice. They helped me choose the lampshades and a finial. They did it while I waited.

A Lamp & Fixture Shoppe
3181 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 866-0220

Regarding the pantry, consider side-by-side larders. I like the Ikea ones, or look into these units:

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=43655&cat=3,43722,43723&ap=1

clickchick...have you tried Room and Board for a sofa?

R&B might not be in your budget but, they have floor sales or as is sales. IMO R&B gives you more bang for your buck.

Toomuchstuff, I totally hear you! I got an awesome craigslist sofa a few weeks ago, and have been looking for two matching chairs with your exact requirements....so if you happen to find two sets of two comfy modern chairs, let me know :)

Does anyone know of anyplace in the Chicago area (near downtown) or near west suburbs (Oak Park, Forest Park) where I could take some beginning sewing classes? I'm starting to decorate my new house and would like to learn some DIY skills to save money and be a little creative. I have a machine but am an idiot on it (this coming from the daughter of a home ec teacher/talented seamstress -- clearly I didn't inherit Mom's skills and she lives too far away to teach me now).

I'm going to be in Chicago for few days next month, while my wife is there for work. We'll have our 16 month old daughter with us. Anything I should be sure to see while there (with baby)? Any good vintage stores to recommend? Places for breakfast? I've been to Chicago only once before. Already planning to go to Lincoln Park, and we'll be using public transit or walking. We're staying near Tribune Tower.

KatieL

if you have some specific questions I'd be happy to help.

Hmmm, do high schools still have home ec? Call your local high school and see if the home ec teacher has a recommendation. Otherwise check in with a local fabric store. If you chat up a sweet little old lady she may be willing to teach you.

CC

An 16 month old (and her parents) would love the Lincoln Park Zoo, the beach or Millennium Park.

Vogue Fabrics on Roosevelt for beginning sewing-

623-627 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60607
312-829-2505

http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/catalog/Class-Beginning-Sewing-8-weeks-p-2208.html

Shawn,
If the weather is good, I, too recommend the zoo, but if not, the butterfly room at the Notebaert Nature museum is llovely— would either delight or freak out your little girl depending on her personality or mood. I believe Thursday is their free admission day. My 2 and 5 year-olds especially enjoy the butterflies and the tree house play area.

Toast is parent and kid-friendly for breakfast. (at least the Bucktown location is!)
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/17357/Chicago/Lincoln-Park/Toast.html
Enjoy!

Thanks, redcloverstar. I think she'll love the butterflies.

Quiltology has Sewing 101 classes. It's in Lincoln Park, so I'm not sure if that counts as close to downtown:
http://quiltology.com/

I second the Nature Museum recommendation. Great place to go with kids.

probably too late in the game to introduce a new thread, but...has anyone tried to stain maple cabinets? we have very nice solid maple with lacquer coating, but would like to go darker. is it just a question of light sanding or does maple not take well to this?
thanks!
jens

The lacquer would have to be removed -- either stripped or sanded completely off -- before stain could be used.

shawn-

breakfast place to die for: Wishbone.
delicious.

Katie L.
JoAnnes Fabrics on 2639 Elston Avenue/773.227.7874 has sewing classes- call for a schedule/times

also - most any Fabric Store will have classes, especially the Big Chains like JoAnnes...

&-
in case you decide to "outsource it"...the folks at Textile Discount Warehouse can reccd. neighborhood peeps to do your project..2121 W. 21st Street in Pilsen=773.847.0572

happy Cross Stiching!!

Hi, just a question about painting, I recently moved into a small gold coast apartment building and it has great architecture and details, but one problem... there are arches from the foyer into the living room and then into the dining room, i plan on painting each room a different color, but what about the arches? the are not moulded out and are just cut into the wall, do i leave them white? do i paint them the living room color? do i paint them a contrasting color? PLEASE HELP! i need suggestions!