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Close-Up: Best Use of Air Rights Ever!

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This stenditoio, or 'stretching instrument'--for the non-Italian speaking crowd--is one of the best clothes drying racks we've ever seen.

Found in the bathroom of a lovely Italian/Portland, Maine couple near Columbia University, this dryer is interactive, it's fun, it saves space, and it never has to be removed or packed away.

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Michela smuggled it back from Italy after visiting family and it has been serving her household well ever since.

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Each rod ascends and descends via a manually operated extension pole that attaches to little plastic rings. Once you have the clothes on the rack, you lift it into its highest position until the clothes have dried to keep them off your head while showering.


Comments (16)

Where do I get one!!!!!

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2007-04-11 14:16:26
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yes, tell us, where do we get one here in the states???

posted by dakman on 2007-04-11 14:19:52
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I lived in Budapest for a semester in college and my host mother had one of these in the kitchen. Very ingenious use of space in small but high-ceiling'd apartments.

posted by Jenny in DC on 2007-04-11 14:20:45
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I demand to know where this may be purchased. Reveal your source!

posted by Michael on 2007-04-11 14:32:16
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http://www.manufactum.com/group/187997/dmc_mb3_productlist_pi1.11449.page/1/dmc_mb3_productlist_pi1.11449.num/8/product/1401841/Product_Details.2866.0.html

able to purchase only in Europe unfortunately, but some European ties come handy in situations like this, despite that it costs a little fortune....

posted by Anusha73 on 2007-04-11 14:37:45
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Oh come on, there has to be a US source. Ikea, hello?

posted by mjoe on 2007-04-11 14:39:36
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Remember this post on the laundry airer from the clothesline shop?
Not quite as slick, but it comes close!
http://www.clotheslineshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=01004&Category_Code=IC6

posted by alexarc on 2007-04-11 14:42:26
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I didn't realise these weren't available in the US. You see these a lot in England. They're actually found a lot in old country cottages.

posted by AndyJohnson on 2007-04-11 14:44:16
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The AT shop should start importing these . . .

posted by guido on 2007-04-11 15:42:01
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A quick look around found this:
http://www.laundrylift.com/

I haven't looked deeply, but a white plastic one runs $40, a stainless runs $85. They also seem to sell retracting laundry lines and other products.
No, I'm not affiliated with them, just trying to find where I can buy one!

posted by Zekko on 2007-04-11 16:48:49
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Upon closer inspection, the link I posted is a Canadian company. They say they do international shipping, but that's good news for U.S. purchasers because a $40 (CAD) product actually costs ~$35 (US)!

posted by Zekko on 2007-04-11 16:59:48
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You know, that doesn't look THAT tough to build on your own... screw some hoops into your ceiling, get some rope, and some dowels and you're set to go.

posted by nwest on 2007-04-11 17:01:49
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I think I prefer the look of these a little better although there are fewer lines they disappear alot easier and add a nice touch to older turn-of-the-last-century buildings.

http://www.amazon.com/Drying-Line-Hotel-Retractable-Clothesline/dp/B0001E837M/ref=pd_bbs_sr_8/102-4951404-5644157?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1176342662&sr=8-8

(Although now that I read the amazon reviews it might be better to find one that's actually chrome instead of painted plastic - but you get the idea anyway)

posted by miss.lyndsey on 2007-04-11 21:53:26
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The laundry lift definitely looks like the original. I am so going for it.

posted by Allegra M on 2007-04-12 06:04:38
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What about this?

http://www.the1898house.com/

posted by Kit on 2007-04-12 12:16:44
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Does anyone have suggestions on where to find one just like the Canadian websites "Laundry Lift" in London or the UK? (that does look like original, very nice!) Thank you.

posted by sissaphus on 2007-04-13 12:38:40
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