apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I just found out yesterday that Velocity artist Matte Stephens has finally started selling signed prints of his work! I think his work is incredible, and wanted to share. Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5063179

The prices are very reasonable also!!

Anyone ever bought anything from these people? Need a few pieces to finish out our living room, but dont have the money for the real ones right now. Thanks in advance!

http://stores.advancedinteriordesigns.com/StoreFront.bok

I bought 2 Eames Eiffel Wire Base Chairs in white from Advanced Interior Designs over two months ago.

Althought they have charged me for them I still have not recieved my chairs. I've contacted them numerous times and they say the chairs are out of stock but have no time-frame for when they will be available. They have promised to ship them for free, but at this point I have no clue as to when that will be. They also keep pushing the cream color on me, but yuck, those look awful.

I'm going to cancel my order. I'm very unhappy with their service and with their communication. It takes forever for them to email me back, and they never answer my questions. I can never get a hold of them on the phone, and they don't return my voicemails. I love the price but this has just been a nightmare!!!

I don't know what to do now. My dining table is so sad without its chairs.

Hi all, need some help on this one. I really dig this couch, Blackjack Sectional, from CB2; well, at least I think it looks cool.

Does anyone have this, or has anyone sat on it?
I'm hoping it would be comfortable, but my sister thinks the back cushions don't look to comfy.

I don't want to order it just to find out its uncomfortable and have to figure out how to return it or craigslist it. A quick trip to Chicago is quite out of the question as well.

If ya'll have any other couch suggestions i'm all ears! Thanks!

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=112&f=3141

hey mikey- Thanks for your question. We have called in our troops in Chicago to investigate for you- look out on monday on ATLA for a post for an official AT review....

Thanks Sad Chairs, good to know in advance. I would like to order something, but I am afraid to do so. If anyone else has had any experience, would love to hear about it!

hi folks,

does anyone know where i can purchase bright apple green curtains and bright citrus yellow curtains (ala kelly wearstler green and yellow)?

i have looked everywhere and can't find a solid print in all of los angeles - that or i'm not looking in the right places. i'd even take fabric store recs where you have seen the colors.

please please and thanks :)

Yes, I purchased my Noguchi knock-off table from them about 4 months ago. It arrived packaged extremely well (cardboard boxes, plenty of molded styrofoam, metal strapped to wood pallets). I was pleasantly surprised that a table weighing in excess of a 100# with 3/4" thick glass arrived in perfect condition. I was super happy with them.

Jane - Hart's Fabric has a good selection of solids, if you want to make your own curtains.

http://www.hartsfabric.com/cotton-solids.html

Does anyone have a line on a good upholsterer in the greater Los Angeles area? I have a Danish Z chair that needs new foam and webbing.

Cheers, john

Anyone have any feedback on Lawson-Fenning furniture? I live in Chicago and came across their website recently. I like the look of their pieces but I'm reluctant to spend that kind of money without seeing in person, testing for comfort and quality, etc.

Thanks,

Matt

Jane--Have you tried the fabric stores in the Downtown Fashion District?

thank you for the website, emily. i see the yellow :)

zj - i have not yet gone to the fashion district to shop. i've heard mixed stories and am a big scare-d-cat so havent gone alone.

when is it safest for a girl all alone?

I was very happy with my purchase with advancedinteriordesigns.com. I must say, I did not experience the service issues the above poster mentioned. Their customer service people are great, they were even open over the weekend to answer all my questions. I was reffered to them by a friend of mine who always buys furniture from them for his photoshoots.

I agree with Lucie, their packaging is great. I ordered the corbusier sofa and 2 chairs and they were extremely well packed. The order arrived in great condition and on the date requested. I have searched several local stores and none came close in quality for the price. They are in SF and they use overnight freight to LA.

Jane - don't be afraid to go to the fabric district! I've been so many times, I think probably everyday of the week. It closes I think around 5. Take change for the meters or park in a lot - a lot of the meters are broken... sometimes a homeless guy will jimmy the meter for you and ask you to pay him. I don't know - I've had a few nice bums down there watch my car and I gave him my extra water and my "back-up banana" I keep for extra snack when I am working. Whatever, he made me laugh. One guy sang me a song and I gave him whatever snack I had. Just feel it out. I think Michael Levine's (9th and Maple) has some lot with validation.

You walk around and look at tons of stores or not - a lot of the places have the same stuff. Sometimes if you have cash you can get a discount. I always ask if they can give me a deal. Who really knows if they are, but they say they are... There was a place on the east side of the street, east of the street Micheal Levine's is on that was 2 stories and purely home decor fabrics and in the wider width's. Sorry I don't remember the name. Micheal Levine's has 2 stores - across the street from each other. They are just convenient if you are in a hurry cause you can find them easily.

You can get a hot dog from a street vendor (I just wouldn't get mayo!), you can look at the stores around there and get shoes or whatever for inexpensive, you can go to chinatown after and get pho or something else to eat. You can go to the flower district - but they close early - definitely go before noon. You will have a lot of fun.

PS - Jane - I forgot to ad that I am a girl too. Sometimes I get wierd about going places myself, except when I do, it's sometimes way better cause I can take the time I want and have the freedom to do whatever. You just have to make up your mind and do it. You will be glad you did. There are tons of people and families and stuff down there. Some of the vendors are really nice and helpful. I've never had a problem. just wear your bag across your shoulder if you are worried and act like you are on a mission. You'll be fine.

Lgrl

Maybe I had the freak experience with Advanced Interior Designs. Everyone else is so positive: and that is why I originally wanted to buy from them (plus their pricing and quality is really great.)

I ordered my chairs in December - and I was just refunded my money this week.

I don't want to sound awful and bitchy, but I just wanted the 2 chairs & I paid in full for them with money I had saved up for this particularly "big" purchase. (for me, it was my first real big designy purchase.)
But I never got them and then I never recieved an answer as to when I would get them. It was just really frustrating.

I'm sorry to be debbie downer. I will probably try to buy something else from them again, because I'm a glutton for punishment. I'll just make sure its in stock this time.

Does anyone have a good source for well priced Knoll Executive armless chairs with wood legs?

thanks, Lgrl. ill have to check it out, thanks for giving me a starting place.

I've been trying to track down the faux-version of the Louis Ghost Armchair. I've seen knock-offs all around the city from Pinkberry to a Bloomingdales display to Boule on La Cienega. Does anyone know where I can purchase a few fauxs?

mz. Just happened to be trolling around Craigs List last night and found this listing. This guy seems to have a good selection of Louis Ghost armchairs and sidechairs. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fur/281232794.html

Does anyone know if this style of chair has a name, or approximately what year it is from?

http://geocities.com/brantleas/orange_chair.jpg

I am looking for a second one (doesn't have to be in good shape, we'll reupholster it), and it would be helpful to have some keywords to go on.

thanks!

I need a large (apx. 11'x 14'), modern area rug and don't know where to go in Los Angeles area or online.

Any suggestions for where to begin this daunting task or finding the perfect rug?

PS: I'm on a budget...

I'm a fan of the Flokati:

www.flokatirug.net

I don't think they come that big, but pretty close, good colors, and they're usually less than $500...

I'm looking for someone to paint on my 6ft x 3ft canvas. I have an idea of what i want, but I have no artistic skills. Anyone?

Gary: I just clicked through to your blog. Love the picture of your bedroom!

I could use some style advice...we rent, and have a really flimsy plastic toilet seat & cover. rather than leave it as is, i feel it adds a bit more class to put a nice basic white toilet seat cover over it, the one seen here from tarjay... http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_29/602-6311982-6344655?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000J2MCVO

i only have the seat cover, and use different coordinating bath mats. my boyfriend thinks it's stupid, and i don't see them in many apts, but i like it better with than without. is it lame???

danielle

Please, please, please - don't use the toilet seat cover or rug. A bath mat is nice, it's cozy, it's good. A toilet seat cover/mat is not a good style choice. I am not sure about anyone else, but I also 'feel' they are unhygienic although I am sure that isn't actually true - if you wash them, that's just the feeling they give me)!

Get a reasonable and inexpensive less flimsy toilet seat/lid. I rent and had replaced mine very inexpensively - it was a home depot or osh or target item. I think under $15? I think you will be happy if you make this choice....

That's my advice....
Cheers,

lgrl

thanks for the advice...i'll have to check home depot and with the landlords. just for the record i don't have that silly mat that hugs the toilet! just a cute bath mat from west elm.

Enrique - Thanks for the compliment. To be honest, I've had only one moment of inspiration like that, so I used all my mojo for my bedroom. I wish i could of spread it out all over the house! I actually wanted to submit it for the apartment therapy bedroom painting contest (i think that's what it was called), but missed out by a couple of days.

New toilet seats are the cheapest thing. I just bought one at the Home Depot for $4.99, it looks fabulous.

They are super easy to install too.

Danielle,

I agree w/ MOE and lgrl, just change out the seat. You shouldn't even have to ask your landlord, because you're making an improvement on the place. Or you can just keep the old one and switch them out when you move out. One note: make sure to measure your toilet seat before you buy a new one. They come in different sizes. I had to end up taking two trips to home depot when we did this because the first one I got was the wrong size.

Does anybody know the best place in LA for houseplants??

I don't have plants, but there are a few nurseries on Sawtelle, just south of Santa Monica in West L.A.

I was curious about learning how to upholster. Are there any classes that anyone knows about in LA?

gary what are you looking for? i may be able to help you with that painted canvas project.

also, rolling green in culver city is a great place for plants...