apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This H&H is another turning point issue in which the dirty issue of price, quality, high style and big-box stores BEGINS to be addressed:

Cheap: It's Chic, but Is It Good?

This is THE topic right now as people try to get their head around what quality is anymore and just why you should pay big money for anything. It is one of the issues that came up in our interview with Marta Calle (posted later today) and one we've written about in AT On A Low Carb Furniture Diet.

TOP STORIES

• What Goes With Gray?: We love Dr. Weil, but we're not sure Joyce Wadler does. Either way, this is an excellent visit to Dr. Weil's house in Arizona, a fixer-upper which he bought 11 years ago with the help of a psychic, who said the house "would find" him.
  
• Clearing the View: Anne Raver heads out to New Jersey and finds this fascinating story - Janet Mavec and Wayne Nordberg's house and 100 acres was odd and dumpy and then she came upon "Mirrors of Paradise: The Gardens of Fernando Caruncho." After a trip to Spain and hiring Mr. Caruncho, the place is transformed. Wouldn't we all like to do that?
  
• Q. I'd like to put up shelves to display books and hide paperwork. What are the most attractive options?: Elfa, BoConcept and Vitsoe are the answer. What about Atlas East's AS4 Shelving?
• Hug the Sheets and a Light Goes On: Read this carefully. Interactive bedding and furnishings are coming into the mass market. This article centers on a new bedding line with printed, washable "wires" that allow you to turn lights on and off through squeezing your duvet.
  
• Personal Shopper - Tweedy Is Back!: Ms. Rohrlich gets great photos this time (glad the printers are working again!) and this is a great little highlight of some of the new tweedy fabrics coming back into fashion.

  
  
  CURRENTS

  
  • The International Designer Showhouse of the American Hospital of Paris Foundation opened last weekend
  • Donzella 20th Century Gallery shows pieces by 30's-70's designer, Paul Laszlo.
    
  • Trade find: Magnolias Linens on the UES for colorful linens at affordable (or rental) prices.
    
  • "Andr Waterkeyn, a Belgian engineer, died this month at 88 as the renovation of the Atomium" nears completion. No idea what the Atomium is? Read on...
    
  • Pentagram's Feedback - "a guide to interesting places around the world with contributions from colleagues and friends." - is now being sold to the public
    
  • Furniture Masters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is having a warehouse sale this weekend (they do a lot of upholstering, furniture and cabinetry for the trade)