apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I guess this is kind of question...

You know what I'm curious about? Toilet design. Pretty much all toilets I see are the same old design. Mind you, I know it's very functional, but I'm wondering if there are toilets out there that would actually make you say "wow, that is a beautiful toilet!"

engil: funny, because I share your interest in seeing better toilet designs instead of the utilitarian-ugly designs we're used to. We'll be sure to take your interest in consideration with future roundup posts of toilet designs (despite some readers saying our interest is more of an "obsession").

Different toilet: Toto Aquia II :) Preeeeetty!

BTW - since I'm here - anyone know the cheapest source for Benjamin Moore paints in LA? I'm painting an entire house, inside and out - and need to save a few bucks...

I would not recommend using Benjamin Moore paints at all if you're in California. They have changed their base to "X" bases (Aura) versus the old "B" base and none of the colors will match except for the new Aura fandeck. I'm in Los Angeles and am really sad about it. I had a friend bring over some quarts from Arizona a couple of weeks ago and am (slowly) finishing painting the exterior of my house which main color is a Benjamin Moore. I'll either drive over to Arizona or Nevada to get enough to finish up. I am NOT a fan of low VOC hysteria -- especially since there are so many much bigger and offensive polluters, who all have large lobbists while paint companies have not, apparently, gotten on the lobby bandwagon.

I don't want to start a flame war, but in regards to "especially since there are so many much bigger and offensive polluters,", I think the point of all of this is for each of us to take the small steps that are easy to do. The small steps all add up, and they will make a big difference!

I'm wondering if most AT-ers put their kitchen garbage bins in a cabinet, such as under the sink, or somewhere else in the kitchen? I have never kept it under the sink, but I think I'm going to try. Any insight on this decision?

I love this site. Some comments:
1. Toilet design. I dislike how the base looks. i took a shower curtain that was the same color as my walls, and wrapped it around the base. End of problem. Easier to clean, too.
2. I use a wicker laundry basket with a lid for my trash and keep it between two cabinets.
3. I'd love to see a special on railroad flat apartments. I live in one and am slowly fixing it up but I'm desperate for some new ideas.

any ideas on the best way to get grout off tile, after grout is applied?! grouting is hard,hard work, but the tile oh so pretty!

Small steps might add up, but if you have to repaint in a few years, you might as well have used the other stuff to start. I used Fine Paints of Europe oil paint for interiors, 12 years ago, and the walls still look great.

when is the next smallest coolest contest?

hey romeoandjewels - i got my ben moore aura paint from a cute paint shop in silverlake/atwater called Jills Paints. I'm not sure if they are the cheapest or not but they are really great, helpful people. Last time I was there they said they always run a discount on the Aura as a promotion to encourage people to try it.... BTW we just did the whole interior of our house in the eggshell finish and it looks awesome - even better no fumes for my 2 yr old!

We bought an ADA toilet for my boyfriend's bathroom, and only after we got it home did I notice it had an Art Deco-like base. It's very pretty. Not often you can say that about a humble toilet.