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Anyone know where to find a listing of handicap accessible apartments especially in Brooklyn and Queens?

I'm looking for a nice chair that opens up into a comfortable twin bed for guests. Does anyone know of something that isn't just a cheap piece of foam that flips open?

Hello everybody!I would really like to find out your opinion about that:should I convert my loft bed in a platform with a sliding bed in my studio?Is it better to sleep near the floor than almost in the ceiling?Thanks in advance

Hey--you guys should check out this great website:

http://www.nyunews.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&uStory_id=33d9b47f-aa4d-4bfe-afd7-00e03b6729b6

If you go to it you can see panoramas of the insides of boutiques from all over New York. I always love what edgy boutiques in the city do designing the interiors and they are great for inspiration.

Like this one: Can anyone ID the wallpaper?

http://www.wunderbloc.com/boutique/index.php?locationId=1054#

trumystique, i had to search that once. i entered "wheelchair" into the search box on craigslist and got a decent amount of responses. and i remember this website, though it wasn't so amazing: http://www.accessibleapartments.org

good luck to you :)

i am seriously miffed. last year i plunked down the money for a min (or alu) bed from DWR in queen.

recently, i have replaced my mattress from the horrible ikea mattress i've had for years for a cushy european pillowtop from sealy.

my problem is this - now my mattress (this is sans boxspring, mind you) completely DWARFS the sleek lines of my bedframe. i don't know what to do. should i return the mattress (and suffer the discomfort of a lousy low profile mattress) or just chalk it up for a good night's sleep? i don't have the $$$ nor the desire to invest in a sonno mattress from DWR either.

I posted this a few days ago, but heard nothing back. Maybe you guys can help?

Does anyone know how to care for these types of succulents? We live in NYC, have a "rosette" in cactus soil and the leaves are starting to look yellow and shriveled. I bought it at a shop without a pot. The guy told me to keep just keep the plant on a wooden tray (very pretty, in the shape of a leaf) and soak the plant overnight once every two weeks.

When it started shrivelling, I thought I should place it in dirt, ut the plant doesn't realy have roots, so it's just sitting on the dirt.

Any ideas?

the big d -- there was a Good Question before Christmas on this issue -- search for the post.... there were lots of replies

Did the person requesting a name for the antique booth make a decision based upon the names suggested?

the big d, return the mattress!! buy a less expensive one which will fit and allow you to show off your lovely bed. the post monika1 is referring to had this great article included:

http://www.slate.com/id/93956/

you're probably getting ripped off with your current mattress anyway. sorry i don't have the link to the original post but i do encourage you to read the slate article i've linked.

good luck!

carla, i think you should have stuck with the plant guy's advice. there's a chance the dirt has retained too much water and so the cactus is starting to rot. it may not be reversible. but i say get it off the dirt now and keep it on the plate like the guy said. cacti seldom need water at all. are you overwatering? the yellowing could also be from the quality of the water. nyc water (i live here too) isn't the best option for houseplants. when leaves start to yellow or brown, it's a tell-tale sign of overwatering or unhealthy water. try soaking it in filtered water next time. look up your plant's genus online for better care tips.

I recently caved to Pottery Barn's incessant marketing and bought the Songbird Duvet cover in yellow ("marigold"). See here for the general idea: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10028/index.cfm

However, it's a little too much pattern right now. I'm looking for an accent color besides white and I'm torn between a citrus green/glass bottle green color or a bright blue. Either one I think would brign a little more gravity. Any thoughts?

Alexandra - when I first moved to New York, I slept on a loft bed, then the next place I lived, I slept on a low to the ground futon. I finally got a real standard bed, and I felt like Goldilocks - ahhh just right. I never fully appreciated not sleeping so close to the ceiling or floor until that moment.

Carla - Martha Stewart did a segment on succulents a week or so ago, here you can check out the instructions:

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=b6aaf3babe5d7110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=succulents&rsc=header_7

Hi. I have two Ligne Rose chairs with removable covers. Can you recommend a good place to get them cleaned? Thanks. jns7

JulesDC--

I hope you do not think, every time you look at your lovely bedding, "I caved to Pottery Barn's incessant marketing."

Jules,
Glass bottle green!

Thanks, kdkaboom. I checked out the website you mentioned. And on Craiglist it seems today the only folk who mention wheelchair access are only those that are luxury apartments. But I'll keep searching CL that way. I cant believe that didnt occur to me. I was doing it the hard way by seeing if it was in the advert or by looking at pics.

Beautiful fair trade baby quilt on sale--I wish I didn't have that "I sew so I can't buy quilts" track playing in my head...

http://store.gxonlinestore.org/babyquiltbunny.html

*heather leaf* -

oh, i saved a ton of money for my mattress - usmattress dot com - it was like 70% off and none of the local retailers could beat that price. i'm just having buyer's angst, i guess. i'll take a critical look at it this weekend and then decide whether to return it or not.

the ones at ikea are more expensive than my mattress. it's a matter of form over function if you really want to look at it.

The big D - have never regretted my purchase of a sonno mattress from DWR. (and we know it looks great with the MIN bed!)

i'm looking for the perfect location for my wedding - here's what i ideally want - please anyone help me that can even come close. i would like it to be on the tree-dappled lawn of a mid-century mansion located by a cliff overlooking either the ocean or the hudson river, and if the hudson river, pref with views of nyc rather than the forests on the other side. i KNOW this is stretching the possibilities of reality rather a lot, but if you know of ANYTHING even sort of like this, please email me at vhsdr@yahoo.com

thanks!

Hey, vhsdr.

Try Wave Hill in the Bronx! I think they lease space for weddings. it's BEAUTIFUL there! It's an old estate with gorgeous lawns, trees, and you're right beside the Hudson! Glorious!

http://www.wavehill.org/home/

ooh, found the link for ya, vhsdr:

http://www.wavehill.org/weddings/weddings.html

vhsdr,

wavehill is BEAUTIFUL, BUT: i went there to help set up a friend's wedding. the director wasn't the nicest person, and since it's a big public garden it was a little weird. like, it's public until two hours before your wedding, and you can't stay past midnight. something weird, i can't remember.

this friend found TONS of estates along the hudson - nothing mid century or even remotely modern, but a lot of mansions with tree dapplings and whatnot :)

a google search of "hudson valley wedding" brought up plenty, including...

http://www.theknot.com/vs_HUDSON_VALLEY_CAR.shtml


anyway, i'd also check out the hamptons, because there's an uber modern event site but i can't remember the name.

I was thinking about the design and decorating "words of the year" that have managed to migrate to the general vocabulary in areas outside of design

A few years ago, the word was "McMansion," a word that has stuck around because everyone knows what it means.

A couple of years ago, the word was "iconic," which although slightly more obscure than "McMansion," is now common in general vocabulary.

For 2007 and 2008, the favored design word seems to be "pop," as related to color. It's popping up everywhere.

Any others that I have missed?

Another PB question--has anyone had experience with their rugs? I'm in the market for a 5X8 rug, most likely in a traditional pattern, and they have some on sale (I'm trying not to spend more than $350). I read here once about someone saying their felted shag shed...how about the flatter tufted ones? Anyone?

big d --

the mattress you bought is incompatible with the frame -- personally, I'd return it, because it would really bother me.

this is the post, and there are other options besides sonno (although, that is probably the best one)

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-should-i-get-a-straighter-edged-mattress-033165

Does anyone know of an inexpensive eco-friendly flooring option for my finished basement (in the NY metro area)? It has to be moisture/ mold resistant. The staff at Home Depot thinks that linoleum = vinyl. I definitely don't want to add VOCs to my home. I appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Rachel,

I know there are some great renewable cork options as well as bamboo. My parents just did their kitchen in Ikea's laminate flooring (an incredible wood-look-alike). I am not sure how eco-friendly it is but I do know that it clicks together and lays on other flooring so there are no glues involved.

Morning all,

We just closed on a co-op in Queens (our first) that will require lots of renovation on our part. We've been told by the listing agent (and I've also read online on various message boards), that we should get the super a "nice gift" to get things off to a good start. We met the super briefly to chat about the building just once prior to this and we were dismayed how unhelpful he seemed and how he lied about a few features of the building. We couldn't believe how he was considering this was the first time we ever met, and also how the management company and the board sing praises about this guy.

Anyway, I realize that tipping is what it is in NYC, and I'm willing to give him such just so we can move ahead smoothly with the amount of moving and renovation work we have to do. I don't expect his help in any way with the actual work, I just want to be able to get on with our work with the least amount of problems.

So, I'm just asking if it's okay that this "nice gift" is just some cash rather than me sitting her trying to figure what kind of present this guy could want.

beelzabean, you definitely want a super that'll do you favors/look the other way/make things easier. and no super wants a new vacuum or pretty vase. throw him $50-100 with "thanks for all your help"

Thanks kdkaboom! I thought so too.

Rachel--

Linoleum does NOT equal vinyl. Linoleum is actually made from linseed oil compunds. Check also Marmoleum or rubber.

From what I understand, bamboo does not do well with wide swings in temperature/humidity levels.

I'd also look into a renewable engineered wood.

Yes, I agree with kdkaboom. I believe "nice gift" is code for cold, hard cash. At least it is when my parents ask me what I'd like for my birthday...

JulesDC , what about dove grey, like the Thursday giveaway set?

Christine (the one in DC),

I've recently looked at all of the pottery barn rugs in person. They're pretty good for the price -- though I'd go over to Ikea and compare. They also have great wool rugs in that price range, or less.

PB's rugs are neutral, very non-offensive -- even the red ones. And the color ways are easy to work into readily available textiles. Nothing too out of the oridinary that would be hard to harmonize with.

Thanks Patrick. I know, I tried to explain that to the Home Depot salesperson, but he insisted that linoleum = vinyl. Marmoleum is too expensive ($8 /square foot installed). I've been looking for recycled rubber. I can't seem to find a cheap source, other than Cosco, which has a very soft rubber.
If anyone has any ideas, please let me know! My basement is about 1000 square feet.

Hi all,

I've done some hard work on re-envisioning the textiles and casegoods in my space based on the really great feedback I got the other day. This is the room in progress: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2292827604_e5dd70f4d1.jpg?v=0

To summarize, this kimono the inspiration for the color palette:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2298593731_ece42cc06f.jpg?v=0
Muted grey/green, chinese red/coral, and golden yellow.

This is the textile I'm thinking of using to recover the wingback armchair. It's a R&B damask and matches the grey/green of my couch. To give it a little modern drama, I'm thinking if doing the welting in a gold tone.
Fabric: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2299744177_edfcb6bf27_m.jpg
Grey colorway on a chair:http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=516687&coll=92329722&cat=91552822

This is a console table I think would be great to replace a 19th C queen ann buffet.
Console: http://www.ethanallen.com/jsp/univers_prod.jsp?imageName=398317
Buffet in room during first steps of makeover: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2292827422_1093cabc3b.jpg?v=0

Opinions?

And ideas on how to work the coral/red into the room in a softer way? It's been suggested that I make the kimono into pillows. That might be the answer. Hate to cut the thing up though.

beelzabean,

I wonder if you might ask a neighbor or two what their approach was. Cash might be ticket. Sort of an envelope and a handshake and a "thank you for all your help while we've been moving in" (minus sarcasm). But you certainly don't want to have to bribe the bugger to do his job.

Thanks Kimg924. I visited PB briefly one day on my way somewhere else. I was curious, though, how they'd perform. I may consider one, though...I think they'd work well in my living room.

Does anyone know where I can find a list of nyc renovation guidelines? We are exploring the possibility of renovating our kitchen, dining area & maid's room. The previous owner's removed a small bathroom, which we would like to put back, but have been told that a new bathroom would need a window and would need to be entirely handicap accessible. I'd appreciate any info. Thanks!

niconyc - you might want to look at this
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/ll_86of2005.pdf

I was under the impression that if you own your own home the certain guidelines concerning handicap accessiblity would be a moot point but I could be wrong.

nico - sorry, that link was to "green" renovation. This may be helpful although it's 270 pages that I'm not willing to go thru to see if it answers your question but I'm betting it does:
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/local_law_99_05.pdf

I'm getting these links from the DOB site. You may want to do a more extensive search there.

Thanks, Anne. One of the architects we've met with seems adamant about the handicap accessibility - perhaps bc we're in a co-op. He also says it is illegal to build an interior (windowless) powder room.

I've seen so many windowless powder rooms in the city. I had no idea it was against the law.