apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow, this thread is quiet; well I have a question for you all.

Track lighting, recessed lighting, both of these I'm told are on their way out. Is there a reason, or do they just seem dated? Is there a new sensibility?

Thanks!

Maybe one reason could be that compact fluorescent bulbs are a fire hazard to use in both of these (as well as with dimmer switches).

I'd never heard that; they are? I suppose there are always those LED lightbulbs, but I've not found any that shed all that much light...

Maybe one reason could be that compact fluorescent bulbs are a fire hazard

Really??? Uh, good to know. I will be sure to take my florescent bulbs out of my recessed fixtures when I get home.

Does anyone know of a good fabric store in DC? I'm looking for somewhere accessible by metro and not too much of a hike (so G St Fabrics is a little out of my way, for example), and that carries both lightweight fabric and housewares fabric.

Marimekko in Silver Spring is a Finnish clothing and fabric store; they have a lot of different patterns in stock at the store, and can get more to order.

Bold and modern, generally.

I like Marimekko, but find them kind of pricey; on the other hand sometimes something you really like is worth it-they do have lovely stuff

What about someplace nearby where I can have a foam cushion replaced for a chair? The cover has a zipper, so I'd like to bring it in and have the new foam cut to size. After about 45 years, the old foam isn't offering much support.

The Marimekko people in Silver Sprung are nice and the fabric isn't too expensive by the yard, but if you try to get them to custom-make something for you, be prepared to wait, and to repeatedly follow up when they drop the ball. At least that was my experience.

CJL- G Street Fabrics on Rockville Pike often has upholstery foam. You would have to cut yourself, but in my experience that isn't too difficult if you have an electric knife. I've also ordered cut to fit foam on eBay when I replaced the cushions in my mom's couch.

Personally I think that G Street Fabrics in Rockville is perfectly metro accessible, I used to take a sewing class there and would haul my sewing supplies on the Metro (fortunately, not my machine, as they have machines in the classroom).

That said, I think G Street is going seriously downhill and I'm so sad to see it, DC is in the process of losing a great asset.

Calico Corners has an Old Town Alexandria location, but they're pretty much all home-dec in heavier weights.

I haven't been to Mill End Shops on Connecticut Ave in DC, but they should be on your list for sure.

And finally -- go to NYC! The Fashion District is full of fabric stores and is just three to six blocks from Penn Station, which is where all the new bus services drop people. It may be the least walking to and from a Metro stop you'd do to shop for fabric, and the selection is vast. Quite a lot of time on a bus, though.