apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That window is so cool I want to go home and smash a hole in my wall right now. Of course I will make sure there are not any pipes, wires, etc.

Nice! I made it on the list again!

That's not technically my kitchen, that's like a dining room/alcove. The kitchen is to the right, across from the landing strip.

We're not done here. It's gonna be kickass. Thanks for the support!

Advice for the person who caught a fifth mouse: get some steel wool and plug up the holes in the back of the sink and/or stove. Don't let the mice sit too long or you'll be doing another cure from the smell!

Ugg, this filing cabinet is going to kill my cure!
The exchange arrived today, and it too has problems. The finish is ok - still a little red, but not too bad - the boyfriend likes it - but it's pretty obvious that this is someone else’s return - the part bags were opened, and there is a large scratch on the top (not terribly obvious from a distance, but a definite flaw). But I just couldn't bring myself to return it. Because returning it means another 10 block trip with this monstrous package, not to mention the terrible struggle to put all the pieces back in the box. And returning it means that we're out $90 in shipping charges and still don't have a replacement filing cabinet. So I started to put it together this evening, and discovered that some of the pieces (the drawer slides) are wrong, and different parts are needed. Called customer service, but the parts department has gone home for the evening, I have to try back tomorrow. Of course, after all this I'm google-ing around and finding lots of other people have had trouble with Home Decorators too...I guess I should have checked that out before, but the boyfriend's mother had ordered from them before with no trouble, so I thought it'd be fine. The other lesson, of course, is that I should always get color samples when ordering online, but I didn't b/c I was in a hurry to use a discount that I was afraid was going to expire (of course, that discount was completely negated by the return shipping costs....).
Anyway, I am in a terrible mood after all this (dealing with this, plus last minute studying for today’s rocks and minerals identification exam = uggg), plus the living room is in complete disarray with boxes and Styrofoam and cabinet parts everywhere, and it will be that way for the rest of the week, because I'm sure it will take them a while to send the new parts....
On the upside, this week's exams are done (many more are happening in the next two weeks), and the recycling bins are working wonderfully. I've also been keeping up with the dishes and laundry. Go me!
I'm glad to work on the bathroom this week, it really needs it - hasn't had a proper cleaning since the cure started, it's totally gross, but also totally manageable.

Oh Rosie. Well, $90.00 is an expensive course, but sometimes that's the only way. The School of Hard Knocks, I think that's where they offer it!

My sincere condolences, though. A bad colour is one thing: having the wrong parts is totally another. Who needs the stress when you're writing exams! But I'd say return it and get what $$ you can. Otherwise you're paying a company to do shoddy business and that's never good. But I've been in your shoes (somewhat) so whatever you decide will be the best you can do, right now. It's OK. Good luck with your studying.

I had a HUGE mess in every room (and on the stairs) in clearing the dining room for painting and the whole family found it highly stressful. Almost no one could function by the time we got a few things back into that room yesterday and today. It makes the joy of a re-done room all the sweeter, though! It's so nice not to have to move sideways through the hallway (and usually get something caught, nonetheless). I'm so happy I could dance in my newly cleared out spaces!

Just three boxes left to unpack. Whew. Now I can actually see the living room floor (and boyohboy does it need a good scrub).

Don't let dead vermin sit at all. Before the smell comes the maggots as flies in the walls will locate it and plant their eggs in the carcass.

That's just how it works. If it gets to the decomposing smell, you will learn a grave lesson.

I got my 3Form samples for my cedar chest topper. I use the chest as a landing strip. What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the one on the upper left. I don't think the red would work.

These are the samples: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabouteve/1594310424/in/set-72157602460569972/

This is the chest: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1400/1362444877_de07168ac7_b.jpg

Keeping in mind that it is next to this and that the wall behiond it will be a pale moonrock grey...

Eve- I prefer the one with the pattern as well; the whole project looks quite cool to me!

What a beautiful chest.

But I've been wondering--what is 3Form? Thick plexi?

I actually prefer the plain white. I'm afraid the pattern would be too busy and distract from the lines of the chest. But I'm getting conservative in my old age.

Hi all! Progress over the weekend included hanging a mirror and seriously cleaning off my desk. It took about 2 hours but all my bills are filed and paid. I am going to try to post pictures on flickr soon.

I finally got my blue and orange pillow in the mail yesterday and its PERFECT. I am in love with it. Picture on flickr soon.

Besides that, I hope to get my curtain issue handled and possibly recover my office chair by the end of the cure. Thats it. I'd like to deal with lighting issues or painting but its just not in the budget. Also, boyfriend has not been particularly receptive to the painting idea and as its going to cost some $$ (paint every single tool you would need since we have never painted before) I'd like him to help me out. I will be "curing" my apartment long after this "cure" has ended, slowly but surely. Up next, the bedroom!

CQ: yeah, I'm having fun with this one! :) The pattern is made of encapsulated plastic "rope", like the one used to wrap packages.

Alana: distraction is key here, as the top of the chest is covered with rings from water damage. (Roof leaked on it while I was away, two days after moving in. Fun!) I don't want them to show through.

And according to the company's Web site, 3form is "the leading manufacturer of award-winning, eco-friendly materials and architectural hardware solutions for the Architecture Design industry. Our innovative 3form Varia system uses ecoresin to encapsulate color, organic materials, textures and custom images to translucent resin panels that can be transformed into walls, dividers, doors and other architectural solutions."

Things have been coming on so well with my epic Cure (11 months and counting...), I actually think I'm going to be finished on time. This struck me earlier this week and I have found my second wind.

There are a few things I won't be able to finish due to lack of money, like getting a rug (I want a vintage kilim and need to save up), a new front door, upholstering my last chair and buying more art. But, other than that, I should be done.

This has got me thinking about plans for the end of Week 8. I answered 'Sharing it online', but I'm also going to have a couple of friends around for dinner (cooked in my new kitchen, and eaten at my new dining table...). I'm going to eat the bar of Swiss chocolate that Jany sent me during the last cure for when I'd finished. I might even have a transatlantic visitor from this site, if all goes well, which would be a perfect end to a long project.

When it comes to sharing it online, do you think a 'before and after' slideshow would be best, or just an 'after'? I can't decide.

Zooza, def. a before and after...

Eve, i love the patterned sample, but I'm leaning towards the frosted for you purpose...I love 3form, the interior designers use it in the restaurants we do, it always looks cool...

Posted a few pictures!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suziegoombs/1606246067/in/pool-39185427@N00/

Also, in my living room my five windows lined up are a total of 210" across. Is it even possible to get a curtain rod that long?? Maybe a super extra long one and an extender? Two medium rods and an extender? I have never hung curtains before in my life and I'm little nervous :/

I found the Le Couvent des Minimes candle I'd been looking for, on eBay! :) So I bought 2, one for the bathroom and 1 for my room.

http://www.poweredbytofu.com/2007/10/17/le-couvent-des-minimes-candle/

There has been progress!

Here is the abreviated version for the time pressed:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46773919@N00/1609935597/

And here is the version for those waiting for paint to dry. (Or want to know the chaos really is real!)

The Road to the Expedit at:
http://prairiehometherapy.blogspot.com/

Amazing, isn't it?
The former really had more character, the latter just looks like evry other Expedit you've seen filled with stuff. But the room isn't done yet! And it feels so much calmer.

Zooza: before AND after, absolutely. Exciting you may have a fellow curer to visit. Hope that works out for both of you!

Amanda C: A span that long has to be supported by brackets anyway.....so it might just be better to hang three rods, or five, depending on how they are laid out. I'm going to check your flickr photos.

Poweredby tofu: Congrats!

poweredbytofu - those candles are adorable! I'm such a sucker for nice packaging and I really love that label.

Alana - I realized I don't have a great picture of the windows but if you melded these two together it might give you a better idea:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suziegoombs/1350835981/in/set-72157601926398386/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suziegoombs/1350838401/in/set-72157601926398386/

The windows go all the way across the wall of the living room, about 210" total. Its intense. The middle window alone is a picture window that is 55" square. I am putting shades on all 5 windows (only option I could afford) and two sets of curtain panels on either side of the double hung windows.

AmandaC: I see the problem! My goodness. Well, shades mounted inside of each window frame will be a definite improvement! As for the side drapes: just put a rod for the windows you put them over. You could even mount knobs onto a board and put that up: then either put the curtain tabs on the knobs or clip rings.

Something like what small city beth did in her place. Knobs or silver hooks would just look more finished than nails!

http://serenityathome.blogspot.com/2007/09/no-substance-at-all-really-its-just.html


I need some help too. If anyone has a minute, there are a few issues I'm dealing with with repect to an impulsive decision to give one of my dressers a "barnboard" effect.

I've outlined the dilemna here:
http://prairiehometherapy.blogspot.com/

Thanks.

OK. Does anyone know of a product that will help loosen stubbon pieces of veneer?

Some of my dresser drawers still have pieces attached: some are in chunks, some are in strips still across the front. I want a smooth finished front and applying new veneer is NOT an option. (Way too much hassle for previously smoke and fire damaged crap furniture. Don't ask me why we have it. It came with the husband and he's immovable.)

Thanks.

Amanda C -- I like Alana's idea of silver hooks or somesuch for the stationary panels you want on the two windows. I just wanted to point out that my nails in the wall drapery solution is just intended to be temporary! If I was doing something permanent, I'd choose something more attractive than nails, and I'd measure!!!

Hmm....The weekend post seems to be up, but it's a few entries down from the top of the book blog, weird.

Rosie, I don't see it.
I get really cranky when I don't see the updated posts for the Cure! Just sent an email to the site inquiring.

Pixie - I know, me too!
Here's the direct link to the post:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-book/the-fall-cure-week-6-the-weekend-033943

It looks like it got mis-dated as Oct. 12, but it's definitly the week 6 weekend post

Thanks Rosie - will check it out.
Eve in Hochelaga - I love resin - thanks for posting that site!
How will you anchor the resin to the top of that dresser so it doesn't shift around?

I've fallen way behind - illness and work - but I've started to catch up. This afternoon I assembled a sofa for the living and arranged the furniture. Pictures and a mirror are in position to be hung tomorrow. I'll upload photographs.

I'm also thinking about a rug. The seating area is at the end with the fireplace, and the central part of it is open. A rug the width of the hearth would help to define it and emphasize the fireplace, which is made of nice local stone but is not dramatic.