apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Close-Up: Best Use of Air Rights Ever!

strateria1.JPG

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.

 
 
strateria3.JPG

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

strateria2.JPG

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.


Tags

Closeup

Related Links

Share

Comments (16)

Where do I get one!!!!!

posted by Mid-C Frank on April 11th 2007 at 9:16am
view Mid-C Frank's profile

yes, tell us, where do we get one here in the states???

posted by dakman on April 11th 2007 at 9:19am
view dakman's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 9:20am
view Jenny in DC's profile

I demand to know where this may be purchased. Reveal your source!

posted by Michael on April 11th 2007 at 9:32am
view Michael's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 9:37am
view Anusha73's profile

Oh come on, there has to be a US source. Ikea, hello?

posted by mjoe on April 11th 2007 at 9:39am
view mjoe's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 9:42am
view alexarc's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 9:44am
view AndyJohnson's profile

The AT shop should start importing these . . .

posted by guido on April 11th 2007 at 10:42am
view guido's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 11:48am
view Zekko's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 11:59am
view Zekko's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 12:01pm
view nwest's profile

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 April 11th 2007 at 4:53pm
view miss.lyndsey's profile

The laundry lift definitely looks like the original. I am so going for it.

posted by Allegra M on April 12th 2007 at 1:04am
view Allegra M's profile

What about this?

http://www.the1898house.com/

posted by Kit on April 12th 2007 at 7:16am
view Kit's profile

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 April 13th 2007 at 7:38am
view sissaphus's profile

Feeds

RSS icon New York

+ City Feeds