apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm reposting b/c there's a new thread...
Hey all. I'm working on the new Curbed SF (click on my name) and wanted to let you all know about the launch. Wende if you can, take a picture of the metal barriers you mentioned and send it to me, maybe we can post something about it (or you can tell me about it later, I'll probably be at Fluid). And if anyone hears of any ridiculous, interesting, funny, or exciting new real estate development, restaruants, or neighborhood happenings in SF or the Bay Area, send us tips!

oops, make that "restaurants."

Hi all- first post! I just moved into a large two-bedroom with 12-foot ceilings (yay!), but I am finding that my current lighting, all trucked over from my former tiny, low-ceilinged 1-bedroom, is inadequate to give the rooms the warm feeling I am looking for. Traditionally, I like to light rooms with a combination of floor and table lamps, but in my current space the light from these sources doesn't seem like enough illumination. What should I do to make the rooms feel brighter? Do I need MORE lamps for a high-ceilinged place? Do I need to elevate the lamps I have higher in the room (they seem a little dwarfed sitting on the floor)? Or should I put the ceiling lights on dimmers and get over my prejudice about overhead lights?

Thanks for your suggestions!

I'll be having a virtual drink with you guys tonight in Los Angeles, my schedule doesn't permit me to come once again :(

Richele

Will do, Ali.

Jennifer, have you tried uplights? I think you need some light reflecting off the ceiling itself to give the room a cozy glow.

Jessica here-- not Jennifer!-- close, though, Wende ;). Is an uplight any light that directs most of the focus up? Like a traditional halogen would be an uplight? Because I actually love those, college-y though they are, for the brightness... our only one broke in the move, though.

Sorry Jessica -- I'd read your posting earlier and then didn't reread it when I went to reply!

Yes, those are uplights, and that used to be what most halogen lamps were, though I don't know that all uplights were halogen. (IKEA seems to have gone berserk for halogen in every sort of lamp lately.)

I've seen more formal, grown-up uplights -- but where? TORCHIERE! That's what you call them when they're not college-dorm-y. IKEA has tons of the dormish kind: http://tinyurl.com/mypae

You can get a quick-and-dirty sense of the huge range of torchiere styles now available from somewhere like Lamps Plus ( http://tinyurl.com/ptgr7 ), though some of their styles have a certain "Gag me with a JCPenney catalog" quality.

Jessica, You could also hang several similar (smallish) pendant lights together (at different lengths) in one corner of your room and create a furniture grouping or something underneath. This would be overhead lighting, but perhaps something you'd find easier to live with.

Thanks, Wende... although I must admit that I really like the Ikea torchiere on the first page you linked. For 44.99 I'm not sure about the quality... but just about right for a budget! We're going to spend most of our furniture budget on a new couch, so it's Craig's List and Ikea for the rest of the stuff...

I swear someone mentioned a bar in WeHo that had 32 beers on tap. Does anyone remember this and what it's called?

mscot. Are you referring to Father's Office on Montana Ave in Santa Monica? It's a very small pub with 30+ beers on tap and they serve burgers. Unfortunately, it's always crowded, the service is slow, and the servers can be on the rude side. I've been twice but have only actually found seating and stayed for beers and a burger once. I experienced all of the above and won't be going back anytime soon. http://www.fathersoffice.com/html/fathersOffice.html

I've heard of Father's Office before. But I swear I just saw something about a bar/restaurant in WeHo that the owner changed the decor and name and brought in 32 beers on tap.
I'm asking b/c I have a friend who treats his beers like wine. :)

Maybe the Snake Pit on Melrose? I think they have 15 or so microbrews on tap there. (That could have changed; haven't been there in a few years.) Despite its location on the busy retail part of Melrose Ave, it has a great neighborhood dive feel... Is this the one you're thinking about? (There's also a recently re-done bar on Melrose near the Pacific Design Center called Monroe's, but they are more an upscale cocktail lounge than a brew pub. So, it probably isn't place.)

I was talking with some friends last night while at Bite in Venice. They knew of what I was talking about as well but no one can think of the name. Oh well. It will come to us eventually.

It definitely isn't Monroe's. I used to dj there on Wednesdays.

I know this is off topic, but I just wanted to say that the patio in the flickr photos on the right is amazing. I want to do a Moroccon theme in my place but it is too small to really get the lush look I want without feeling cluttered and overwhelmed. I love that patio and am totally jealous.

mscot - Are you thinking of - "The Other Room", on Abbot Kinney?

Hey mscot. If you ever figure out the name of the pub, please post in on the next open thread. I love tasting new microbrews.

Avocado, thanks for the nice comments! That's my patio. I've actually changed out some of the plants and decluttered a bit by removing the moravian star thingies and a few of the random tchotchkes lying around in the space. So the patio actually looks better now and the space has more "breathing room". Actually, only the large vase, the 3 candle lanterns, and a single pillow in the center are Moroccan. The rest is a mix of Indian (daybed, screen, many of the pillows, cotton window panels), Thai (wall art, the 2 opium tables), Persian (the rug), cheap Chinese imports (candle sconces, pottery), and IKEA (2 pillows). The space is great since 2/3 of it is covered by my upstairs neighbor's apartment, leaving only the plants and one candle lantern exposed to rainfall. The best part about the patio is that it expands my entertaining space. (When I had an Oscar party this year, the patio is where I had bottles of champagne chilling with flutes on top of an old brass tea tray.) But regarding your space, I think you could easily capture an exotic vibe without going over-the-top and just selecting a few key items--whether they be tapestries, pillows, a pouf, a tea table, or lantern. And you wouldn't even need to go the authentic ethnic route since you can find a lot of these design cues in contemporary pieces at places like West Elm or Urban Outfitters at more reasonable prices.

NOW, can someone else post on the Flickr site? I'm bored of seeing those images all the time.

We just found (and was approved for) our next apartment (to rent). Moving in two weeks. It's a great layout with hardwood floors in the all but the two bedrooms.
I can't wait to decorate the place!

I should have known that the patio belonged to the stylishly-scarfed man pictured with Jonathan Adler.

I will definately take your advice regarding accent pieces. Right now I am in the process of purging my apartment and replacing some key pieces to have more storage and a more functional space. Then, I will begin getting the accent pieces which is where I will try to bring in a bit more flavor and luxury. I am definately inspired by your mix of pieces.