apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Am I the only person left on the planet who doesn't like granite counter tops? A number of my friends have them, so I've seen different styles and really haven't liked any of them. They look spotty, cold, bulky, and really formal.

It is as if it would be appropriate for the lobby of a bank, but not for a kitchen or bathroom.

Over the holidays, one of my friends proudly showed me her newly installed counter top that she paid a fortune for. I talked about how it really showed off her cabinets and looked so sophisticated, but all I was really thinking was about how the gray, black, and white pattern looked similar to my grandmother's tombstone.

What am I missing here?

I am planning to get a 36" tall stainless steel restaurant prep table for an island in my new kitchen.

Anyone know what height bar stools would be most comfortable?

Also, does anyone have experience with the ikea SUNE stools? Or the ikea SEBASTAIN stools?

Aldyth,
I too hate granite. I'm impressed by it at people's apartments, but mainly b/c I know what it costs, not because I like it. They're also a pain to keep clean from what I've seen.

I feel like there's less of a community here on AT since the new web design was launched. Each item on the site just goes by too quickly to get a good discussion going on anything.

I'm inclined to agree. I'm not a great participator, but it seemed like there were more open threads and more "help me reorganize my room/choose the right curtains/advise me how to hide this heating duct" interactive bits. Those 2 cents posts always seemed to be the ones that got people going.

That said, I'm hoping the January jumpstart theme will get people talking. I, for one, have been happily sanding and experimenting with ingenious ways to remove furniture wax for the last couple of weeks and am looking forward to sharing (assuming I do actually manage to remove that damned wax!).

Speaking of which, anyone have any bright ideas? Other than going out an buying a proper tub of furniture wax remover, that said. I know that's probably the best idea, but I need such a tiny amount (I've sanded most of the surface and it's just a few little bits tucked in the bottom of carved sections that are left) that it seems like a bit of a waste of money/resources. So far, I've tried hairdryer cottonbud, white spirit, and nail varnish remover toothbrush. So far, the nail varnish combo is working best, but it's still not perfect...

"that is", rather than "that said".

Oh, and there are meant to be plus signs between hairdryer and cottonbud and remover and toothbrush.
(Yep, work's pretty stultifying today.)

I have to tend to agree with the granite countertop bashing here. I suppose it was a bit novel and unique the first 97 times, but now it seems like it's just way too done. That being said, there are some granite varieties that are quite rare and beautiful- basically anything that has lots of light or cornflower blue in it (NOT blue pearl). But for 99% of those countertops with the black, white and tan specks in it- meh.

Give me concrete any day!

moni-ka, as a rule of thumb, buy "counter height" stools vs. "bar stools." There is about a 6" difference in height, I believe, and at 36" you definitely qualify for "counter height."

moni-ka: Stand up, hang your arms by your sides, then bend your arms at the elbows and put your forearms out flat in front of you (parallel to the floor). A little lower than that is the right height for working when standing (as at a counter) -- think of how it would feel to chop onions, for instance -- your arms would be angled down a few inches from that horizontal plane.

Hi! I am in need of some design advice. We just purchased a new couch, the Metro in View fabric, from Room and Board. The color is Walnut, which is a rich chocolate brown. Our living room is quite large, with 2 windows but little light. Any thoughts on a color to paint the room? It's currently a greyish lavender that's kind of drab. We need to buy a new rug and other items for the room, so I am pretty open...

Any thoughts? Thanks!

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=90514141&cat=91552821

i agree about the lack of community. the posts go by so quickly, and there are very few comments anymore. the year end round up seems unorganized - i can't keep up.

Glad to hear the people who are not brainwashed by granite surfaces. Don't limit yourself to something just because realtors shove it down your throats and because it's "expensive."

30" stools are probably the most comfortable for counter height?

I think It's hard to gauge any lack of community compared to the previous site because the new site is so--new. People have had problems loading the site, logging in, navigating the site, etc. The end of the year stuff isn't really going to get any comments because most people have seen it before and there's not much more to say. I have noticed that people are leaving comments in the original comment sections of the posts that have been re-featured.

Whoops, I accidentally posted this question in an old open thread, which makes me feel even more slow.

Is there a way to access the archives by subject with the new layout? When I go to the archive I just get lists of posts by the week. I'm looking for a not-ridiculously-expensive plumber, and AT used to have lists of services....

My birthday is on Sunday and I want to decorate my nearly empty living room into a cozy moroccan style den/tea-salon for a party with close friends. Floor pillows, low tables, rugs, fabrics, candles, very warm - you get the idea.

Any ideas of shops I can go to in NYC where I can gather some of this stuff, cheaply?

lillibw, you can try the place in Chelsea Market. I don't know the name but it's next to or part of the kitchen supply place (closer to 10th Ave).

Happy Birthday

I look at AT every day or so, nothing like before it was tampered with. I fly thru it now with little attention. I know Maxwell wanted to make a better site but honestly, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I miss the old AT and the sense of community that is now missing.