apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Does anyone know a good carpenter on the West Side? After doing the Cure this past Spring, I find I now have TOO MUCH storage (!) and would like to cut my big platform storage bed down to lounge-ey high-sofa size. I also need to have custom drawers fitted into the end, since my dresser will no longer fit underwards.

Check out this site: http://todosomething.com/

It's got great photos of some of his projects. Not sure what his price range is like, but it's a place to start. Good luck!

Duh... B...b...b...bird bird bird, bird is the word!

does anyone know where i can download episodes of HGTV's small space, big style? i just moved into a one-bedroom and i need some inspiration.

i've tried the illegal download/torrent route but am coming up empty-handed. i guess most hackers aren't into interior design.

I have a few hand-me-down chairs that I'd like to get slipcovered. Can anyone recommend an upholsterer or someone who makes custom slipcovers?
Thanks!

eric: we're scouring online looking for back episodes of SSBS from HGTV ourselves, since we've only just recently got cable access to the channel and we like to see our captain, Maxwell, dropping knowledge and opinions about interior design.

It's a darn shame that HGTV themselves don't host past episodes. We'll get back to you if we find anything (there is one short clip on YouTube right now, but I expect it to disappear quick due to legal).

Has anyone ever actually seen this chandelier in action?

http://www.unicahome.com/catalog/item.asp?id=9219

I think it's such a cool, weird concept, and I love its messiness and its feeling of diy and... somehow... impracticality.

As long as it ISN'T actually impractical (not for that money!). I worry it might be fragile and not durable enough to actually function in the long run. I know there are plenty of paper lighting fixtures that stand up to years of heat and dusting, but... I'm hoping someone with more experience in these matters can chime in with their opinion. Thanks!

We actually have the zettle'z fixture hanging in our dining room. It's fantastic and worth every penny we paid for it. We have a large living/dining space and it really makes a statement. What is really nice is that it comes with extra rice paper sheets. We have our kids draw on them and include them with the other drawings and notes. It will become a nice history of images as the kids grow older. How many fixtures can you do that with!

Thanks, tcnr! I'm so pleased to hear you've road tested it. Have you had it a long time? Also, one more question-- my space is not that big. I have a condo with an open floor plan -- living room moves into dining room with a kitchen off to the side. I don't mind making a big statement with one fantastic fixture (my furniture is danish modern with some asian, I like bright color and graphic art prints, and I have a huge salvaged stained-glass window on the wall behind the dining room table) I know there's a smaller zettle'z -- do you think even that would overwhelm the room?

Love that your kids draw on the extra sheets. I would plan on having friends write me love notes... which would be kind of funny: "hey, write me a love note. On this piece of paper. Right now."

Apparently there's a new version of this too, with images taken from classic Japanese erotica.

Our living/dining room space is large with 12' ceilings and the larger one fills it well. I would recommend the smaller one if you have lower ceilings. It needs to have space around it, like any nice piece of art. It's not an overwhelming kind of fixture, it's very light and ephemeral.

I would check out formplusfuntion, where we purchased ours. It was a good $200 less than any other store.

http://www.formplusfunction.com/3439.htm

Hi,

I really like the sculptural quality of the tall light fixtures used by David in the glass room for the last episode of Design Star. Does anyone know where to get them, or something similar?

-A

Hello AT-
I've just accepted a job in Burbank (living in Atlanta now, gulp!) It's happening fast, so I may need to rent something without having seen it (double gulp!). Is there anyone familiar with the NoHo Lofts? These look like my style, and very close to Burbank. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

Hi Jen,
I moved into the NoHo lofts about a month ago, and aside from a couple hiccups, I have great things to say about my experience. My particular unit is 750 sq. feet, and on the third floor.

I originally moved into a smaller unit (550 sq. feet) that had a defect with one of the walls. The result was a lack of sound protection; the neighbor and I could hear every word said each other's unit. It took 3 weeks for management to address the issue (in addition to the month the loft sat empty after puting down my deposit). Skeptical that they would be able to fix the issue, they were nice enough to let me relocate to a corner unit.

I love my current unit, and in retrospect, the whole thing was worth it. Although slow to take action, at least management was really nice throughout my ordeal. Aside from having to move twice, I couldn't be happier.

Let me know if you have any questions about the building, etc. You can check out a few pics of my unit here:

http://flickr.com/photos/masrade/sets/72157594257098660/

-DV

Suzy,

Regarding the upholstery / slipcover, try calling Gyspy's Palace in Los Feliz (on Vermont Blvd). I re-upholstered the base of my couch myself, but don't own a sewing machine, so I had them do covers for the cushions. I bought the fabric downtown.
-aiisa

Congrats Vanessa -- I see you were the Daily Candy LA today!

re: upholstery

try brabila designs at venice and la brea 5018 venice way.

also, maderadeco 5614 venice blv.

Hi DV-
I actually remember looking at your photos when I first was researching moving-and thinking they looked great! Unfortunately I heard back from noho lofts and they don't accept pets. And I have a dog, which, as any dog owner knows, is non-negotiable.
So . . I"m on to the next investigation of lofty-type housing.

I'm looking at a place just south of Griffith Park. And commuting to Burbank,. Possible? Or a nightmare?

Jennie - I live next to Griffith Park and commute to Burbank...one of the best (and shortest) commutes ever. Good luck with your move!

Nadia: I'm so envious of your commute! I live in Silver Lake, but have to commute all the way the armpit of the SFV near the Van Nuys airport, Anheiser Busch and a darn sod farm. Burbank sounds dreamy....

does anyone know of a good monograming place?

also a good window treatment person. someone who can take my designs and make them. simple designs.

thanks!

Gregory: At least we can go home to our respective 'hoods where there's good food to eat! I've exhausted everything around Burbank.

Megan,

What is the complexity of your design? I may have a source for you.

Megan,
Regarding your monogram/window treatment problem, regretfully my source didn't pan out. May I suggest checking at Diamond Foam & Fabric on La Brea (nearest X-cross street is 6th Street). Since their an indie shop, I'm sure they must have a person to recommend. Since I have a sewing machine, I make my pillow covers, slipcovers, etc. But it is rough when one either doesn't have the time or wherewithal to do so.

In case anyone else is in my boat (too many blank walls), over on Design Sponge Guest blog, Maria from Port2Port has been posting on where to find inexpensive art. I've been loving it:

http://dsguestblog.blogspot.com/

megan: the sewing arts center do monograming.
www.sewingartscenter.com

they do amazing classes as well if anyone is interested...
lucie

Okay... Someone needs to mention that ATLA Editor Gregory, his girlfriend Emily, and their fab "Silverlake Sanctuary" finalist entry from this year's Smallest Coolest contest ( http://tinyurl.com/goyoe )
are featured in the new issue of Readymade. The new issue that just hit the stands. Yup, someone should mention that.

lucie thank you for that valuable info.

i still need someone who can crank out simple window treatments, duvet covers and cushion covers. i give great,detailed directive (and i'm always appreciative of great craftsmanship!)

so if any of you know of someone please hollaback.

thanks!

Hi Jen - I just wanted to say that I moved from Atlanta to Santa Monica in June! I love it so far. The only thing is the sticker shock. Atlanta is much more affordable. Once you get past that, and accept everything else that the city has to offer - its a great move! Good luck!

hey!
found this cool new website, really useful in finding an apartment, its called www.kexter.com
Reagrds
Karen

Megan -

My friend Kevin, arbiter of all things fabulous, uses a woman who we call Mrs. Ku. No point to look up the number unless you
speak Korean. Her business is called "Joy Curtain" and her address is 461 (I think) N. Western Ave.
Cross St. is Maplewood (N. of Beverly, S. of Melrose.)

Bring the fabric and draw a picture of what you want.

She has made him curtains, multiple pillows and a duvet and she does BEAUTIFUL work!

Bri:

BINGO!

thank you! thank you! i love AT. this is 2 for 2.

megan

I'd love some feedback about "Bavarian Cream" (Benjamin Moore) as a paint colour in a north-facing living room in a rainy climate. I want to maximize the light in the room, complement the wood/artwork in the room, and make the room feel warm...I'm planning to add citrus yellow, emerald, and tomato red accents.

Does anyone know where to get stylish house numbers that aren't too expensive? It's actually for individual condo units, so we need 2-3 inch numbers. I've bee to Liz's Antique Hardware (too expnsive), Anawalt and Home Depot (not pretty). Any ideas online?

Simone- try www.chiasso.com

Simone: http://www.accurateimageinc.com/

An affordable idea is to use these and apply to tiles of your choice: http://www.cafepress.com/environment.10085586

http://www.westonletters.com/index_23.php?catID=23&file=index.php

Eric & Gregory: There are episodes of Small Space, Big Style available for purchase on Amazon.com. It costs $2 an episode and they give you a $2 rebate on your first download (or they used to). I think you can buy the whole first season for about $20. I would rather download a torrent too, but yeah it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I'm currently abroad and missing HGTV like crazy!

Look into the Amazon.com offer if you're interested. I think you aren't allowed to burn the episodes onto a cd or dvd, though, and you can only watch them from the computer you purchased the episodes from.