apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hangin' around... Nothin' to do but frown...

The rain, scheduled for late evening, arrived early. The light now a clear, wet gray outlines the newly leafed trees. Small tasks can be done. Move one ark near another. Scrub grout in shower with a toothbrush. Change bedding. Watch the wind shake the trees. Visit the Gotan Project website; a new album at last. Welcome the plumber. Place the celadon tea set on the dresser. Wonderful.

There was reputedly snow at higher elevations -- say, the upper floors of downtown office towers. All rain at ground level, though: I've been up to Chinatown in my quest for black-and-white dishes, having decided that the kitchen needs to be an oasis of non-colorfulness if the larger dollhouses are to live in the adjoining dining cubby.

Ebrown, HOW do you get grout clean? I've tried everything, including a Clorox bleach pen. I was raised with suburban masonite and don't know how to cope.

I'm trying to wean myself off of apartment therapy before I get busted at work...only a few peeks this AM and this PM. My thoughts:

1. The use of "EAMES ERA" everywhere you look on Craigslist or other places. It drives me nuts. On THE KITCHEN scavenger, there was a link to EAMES ERA dishes. Why can't the term 'mid-century ' be used instead? What would be served on Eames Era dishes? TV dinners like peas, potatos and salisbury steak?

2. Where is Grant of the WeHo Charmer contest entry? I really want some insight into his headboard. Please come back...

3. Media cabinets are expensive. I don't watch much tv therefore i need to buy an expensive cabinet to hide the tv I do not watch. Sad but true. And I can't find anything I like.

Wende, I make a paste of Tide and Clorox and apply it to the grout w/a spatula. Let it be for a while then attack it with an old toothbruss, then rinse it off. You may not be able to get it all in one application, but over time it should get rid of the scum and mildew. Between applications I squeegee the tile and spray Method shower spray after every use.

JenPDX, re: cabinets...I feel your pain.

I particularly wish furniture manufacturers would come up with a classy solution to hide bigger screen HDTVs...like a wider and lower armoire to put the television in and hide.

God, I should design furniture! ;-)

Grout in the Tub -

I've had really good luck with the Mr Clean magic eraser.

JenPDX your post made me laugh - you're too cute... you brought me back to my days on the job when people would constantly be coming up behind me -- and they could clearly see what I was peeking at online. I didn't know about AT or design blogs in general back then but I was really into reading all the nasty tripadvisor posts, the onion, and the craigslist 'best of' stuff. I hope you don't get bagged JenPDX - but even if you do, you'll go down for the right reasons...design obsession. :) maybe alec will hire you to do some writing... :)

Holly

rachel in denver - I second your post on the Mr Clean magic eraser. I can't figure out WHAT is in that thing.... but it's amazing.

If only I could use it on my booty!

Holly

With the context of the ongoing debate regarding minimal decor and clean surfaces and having stuff (books, art, junkmail) to show the personality and the reality of daily living...

I sold an unused household item via craigslist and the person came to my apt yesterday to pick it up.

Upon entering my apt, she commented, "I love your apt." (I am lucky to live in a restored bldg from 1920s) When she reached the living room (where there isn't a cardboard box in sight) she asked, "Oh are you moving out?"

Um...no. I just don't have a lot of stuff. Is it a bad sign when your permanent living space appears to be in transition to a stranger?

No, it's a sign that you've put things away.

If you're not into Stuff, you're not. It leaves more for those of us who want a less sparse look.

Jen, here's the comment I get the first time a date sees my home...

First comment: "Ooh!"
Second comment: "I'm never gonna let you see my place."

I can't help being organized and tidy.

I'm with you on the whole media cabinet thing. I hate having no way to hide my TV when not using it. I've needed a new TV stand for some time now.

I also need a new litter box. Well, *I* don't, but my cats do. I can't believe how hard it is to find something that doesn't look like crap. Pun intended :)

Holly you are HYSTERICAL. Step away from the magic erasure!!!

Rob, I've got the Booda Dome Step litter box - it's less ugly than other litter boxes, adn it also prevents my aging cat from making a mess when she forgets where her back end is....

CLick my name, we've got the putple and it's a nice shimmery colour.

What about CITIKITTY? The way to toilet train your cats? It was discussed adnauseum on the NY side of this site.

Very stylish litter box!

Alas, one of our cats has a knack for directing her bodily fluids right at low seams in covered boxes. She now has a top-entry box. It's plug-ugly, but cat urine on the floor was uglier.

WHY can't Target start carrying litter boxes in the same seasonal colors as their bath linens?

Wende, that's what Noire was doing as well - but the problem seems to have been curbed with this - the seams are pretty high, and the 'box' itself is spacious - the steps are funny too - I've seen Noire come down them all sedate and lady-like, look around, see someone watching her and she scats right outta site, ashamed to be caught having bodily functions.

She's such a priss. That's what I get for having a persian cat.

Outta SIGHT, outta SIGHT!!

sigh.

me speak englush relly gud.

Ahh, the purple litter box brings back memories.

When I first move to Portland, a friend offered to make a Petsmart run so there would be a litter box and water dish waiting when we arrived. We were surfing the petsmart website and I started cracking up at the purple litter boxes. All of the colors had some silly lingo that went with the description... beautiful beige, pristine white, etc.

When I saw the purple litter box, I shouted "OH! Pooperific Purple."

You can guess which litter box my friend picked up for me. (it wasn't a Booda Box though)

Citykitty isn't an option for my guys.

When they were kittens, they used to follow me around - constantly - including following me into the bathroom. One day, my cat Tucker saw me sitting on the toilet. To him, it probably just looked like a chair. When I stood up, he decided to take my spot.

From his vantage point on the floor, really, he had no way of knowing what was about to happen.

...nothin' but net - and a big splash followed by a really yucky bath!!!!!!!!!!!

He won't go near the toilet, and that's fine by me :)

Mine's obsessed with flushing.

Also, the two cats won't share a litter box. Coming up with two litter boxes, I can handle. Coming up with a second bathroom in a one-bedroom inner-city apartment -- uh, no.

I'd also like to see Target carry a slim-line litter box that fits between the toilet and the vanity in a small bathroom.

JenPDX-

Thank you so much. I'm flattered you like my headboard. All it is is a piece of plywood that I cut in half and have propped up against the wall behind my bed. That's it. It's not even finished or anything. In fact, I used one of the pieces as a base on which I poured the concrete top for my coffee table (which I found on the street).

Grant - you're alive and well-fed! Thanks for the info - I was kinda expecting that you would have a very simple answer. I'm inspired to try and make a slightly upscale version for a spring project.

Booda Dome Step litter box? Clue me in with a link, please. I have to see a little box with a nice like that.

Is it a Big Booda Dome?

Somehow this is reminding me of Fifth Element. No wait. That was big badda boom.

Holly

Holly, if you click on my name it should take you to the booda step....

:)

I am also in desparate need of a small, low slung media cabinet with doors to hide my TV. I don't know where this "media bench" trend came from, but I hate it.

I keep thinking that once I get my apartment in order I will get a kitty as a present to myself. I hadn't thought a lot about the litter box and other issues, so I just went on line to look for stuff. And, wow, there are a lot of hideous pet supplies out there.

For some reason, the only one of these entries I can't bring up is Lynne's Lovely Loft. It's like it's just stuck or something! It won't come up my computer!