apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

with the summer coming up, i am thinking more and more about my home energy costs...are any of you in the area familiar with the "Green energy" resources that are available to LA residents?

Somehow I don't think Edison buys any of those credits...

I spent time shopping in Santa Monica yesterday and saw BoConcept is going to open a store on Santa Monica Blvd near 4th St. (where Tower Records was). Weego Home on Main St. had some lovely items.

I need to replaster my pool, and I'm wondering if anyone has a company they recommend, and any idea how much I should expect to spend? Thanks!

check this out (i'm sorry if they've been posted here before):
www.fallenfruit.org

the part i love most is how they'd show up in a small group outside people's yards at night with flashlights, understandably alarming, but then win the residents over, or get acquainted and new memebers

does anyone know of a reliable and inexpensive mover who can help me move an upright piano from pacific palisades to marina del rey? thx.

I am looking to purchase some items from CB2 but am reluctant seeing I can't touch or sit on them. I want to get the Shelter Sofa it says it's a kiln-dried hardwood frame but I am not used to buying big ticket items like this online. Has anyone purchased from them before? And if so, how was your experience? Thanks

hey ayne- you might try jumping over to our Chicago site, and asking on an open thread there- We actually had someone ask a similar question in the past- click here for the link. I have ordered two stools from them in the past and was quite pleased with the whole experience. So, from my experience, CB2 has been pretty good... but it is always a risk to order such a big ticket and large scale item sight unseen. Anyone else want to chime in?

Hey Jonathan- thank you for recommending the Chicago site- I am crossing my fingers someone can help me out!

The biggest barrier I have to achieving "apartment therapy" is a spouse who is at the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to all things house-related - i.e. perfectly happy sitting under bright overhead lights, masses of visible cords don't faze him, has trouble dis-attaching from any of his possesions even when old & worn, and does NOT like change. (Other than that he is a great guy!) It drives me wild - as I crave a calm serene environment. Anyone else dealt with this? Suggestions welcome.

Does anyone know where I can find neo classic furniture on line? We just painted our kitchen and I need a new table and chairs. Something in a dark wood?

nankie: yes!! i thought i was the only one alone on this. After the AT contest, I assumed everyone had this partner who was into this stuff too. We just got into a huge spat about this.

I'd love to hear some suggestions as well.

nankie (and sanriofreak), two words:
Couples therapy. I don't know any other way. These are power and control and communication issues, which are ideal for a results-oriented couples session or two. Having said that, my boyfriend and I haven't learned to resolve this issue, and it's one of the reasons we don't live together. He actually has a lovely home, but he doesn't think anything should be done in it to accommodate me, including fixing broken under-counter lights, hiding cords, storing books and papers off the floor, having a couch, and so on. It's our biggest issue. (But don't feel sorry for me! We've been going strong for over ten years and are still in love....) Anyway, some things won't or can't be changed, but it's worth putting some effort in to see.

Oh, and also: don't underestimate what you can do on your own without calling for a joint decision. Many things I could have done at my boyfriend's, but made the mistake of trying to involve him in it. (He doesn't mind if I fix a light or get it fixed, as long as he doesn't have to be there when it's getting done, or think about it at all!)

The previous owners of my house put in Thomasville kitchen cabinets (I believe from Home Depot.) They are stained a dark maple or cherry color and I'd love to paint them. Has anyone done this before? Thanks!

Since it's outdoor month I have a burning question.
I bought a teak patio set off ebay. The cushions are stained and have been partially eaten by our backyard squirrels. They are an odd size. I need two chair and two love seats and the vendor is no longer on ebay.
I've tried to find a cushion to replace it somewhere with no luck. Anyone know a person who does slipcovers that might sew them? Though I worry after all that the squirrels will go at them again.

Have a lot of relatives coming in a month and want to have it redone or new ones. Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

stacey

Stacey,

You should check out Patio Culture on Abbot Kinney, in Venice. They specialize in custom outdoor cushions.

http://www.patioculture.com/

Nankie-
My husband and I had this same struggle for a couple of years... until I learned how to "work around him".

For instance: It's okay for cords to show unless someone else puts them away - then it's okay for them to be hidden. It's okay for books to be piled high on every flat surgace unless someone else puts them away - then it's okay for them to be on the bookshelves. See a trend here? We made a deal that if I put something away he has to help maintain it. He's not allowed to create more work for me :) Luckily, I'm mildly obsessive about keeping things in order and love, love, LOVE organizing.

In addition to his general hate for housework, he's a packrat and comes from a long line of packrats. He's also incredibly generous and cannot stand to see someone or something go without. So, I exploit his giving nature and come up with all sorts of worthwhile charities - you know, children's shelter full of boys who would love his t-shirts and action figures, men at the homeless shelter who reallly need those Cosby sweaters he's had for 15 years, books go either to the library or battered women's shelter and old blankets go to animal shelters. The things he insists on keeping (but never using) go in storage tubs in the attic - 6 months later I remind him that they're there (and still unused) and he decides whether or not to let them go.

I really have to remember to be patient and put absolutely no (obvious) pressure on him. His memories are all tied up in these posession and we have to disassociate them one at a time. He has finally realized that his father's memory is in the pocketwatch and wedding ring passed down to him and not in some random sweater he got for Christmas 15 years ago.

Go slowly, do a little at a time and hopefully he'll come around. Good luck.

Haha Cosby sweaters!

I love your work around...the charities solution is brilliant (and giving)!. You sound like a really thoughtful and wonderful partner. But save him a Cos sweater...I hear they're coming back.

Anyone know a cheap place to find a chiminea?

Thank you, Sea and Swan, you've both given me some good ideas to ponder. And sanriofreak: don't give up, and good luck!

Gregory -

He still has a couple Cosby sweaters - they're in the attic awaiting their trial. I was excited about the return of "skinny" jeans but Cosby sweaters? Not so much.

And, thanks for the compliment.

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Nankie, Sanriofreak et al - me too! Kind of the other way round tho cos its me who tends to like lots of things, books, pictures, flowers, cats etc and Mr Boyfriend likes things to be "efficient". Even if they are hideous!Its not even an aesthetic thing with him, he just doesn't seem to see things as long as they're "effective". Sigh! I think Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera had the right solution (not that I'm saying their relationship was anything like ideal in any other way!), they had two separate houses connected by a little bridge...!

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