apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A little neighborly smoking issue article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/nyregion/08suit.html?ex=1208318400&en=e55a4877af7faf1a&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Mrs. Huff? Really? That wasn't made up?

Have you noticed that with the "new" format the comment tally isn't registered on the front page? There could be several comments but it still reads "0". I bet a lot of comments go unread because of that. Maxwell?

Dear AT,

I have just had a glass tob table made of carved driftwood, donnected by three iron bars.

I need four chairs for this table, and it seems the only way to go is black forged iron with wood accents - simple, slim, minimal, and of course comfortable - however it seems my options are either a detailed bistro chair or something better suited to a log cabin than my modern manhattan 1br.

Please, AT, help me find the perfect dining chairs!

For reference, I have been looking for items in line with Paul Mccobb's planner group - although mid-century modern, the slim, minimal design would compliment well.

Cheers,
Dan

love the knappa pendant lamp from IKEA

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60071344

...especially love the price tag, but I am looking for something I can hardwire....any other ideas for cool airy pendants? The basic places (home depot, lowes etc) are so clunky and heavy looking I can't find anything.

I am by no means an expert but I was under the impression that any lamp could be hardwired with the purchase of a hardwire kit (or by hiring an electrician). I just saw this at PB teen but I imagine they are for sale elsewhere and cheaper.

http://www.pbteen.com/products/p1766/index.cfm?pkey=clgthan

there was a fire in my building today, two floors below my apartment, in 4G. holy shit was it scary! thank god it was daytime (i've had wicked nightmares about waking up to a burning house), called in early, and not that big...but six fire trucks, ladder and hose to the roof, cherry picker, guys busting in the windows, glass hitting the street, smoke pouring out. very scary. my poor cats got smokey because my windows were open, and now it stinks horribly, but everything (and everyone) is okay. tomorrow i go to allstate to get homeowners insurance. frick!

OMG kd - glad you and yours are okay. I've heard that Service Master does an amazing job at getting smoke out of walls etc.

kd - what a horrible event! getting your own insurance is a good idea. I started getting tenants insurance a couple of years ago, and cross-my-fingers I haven't had to make a claim yet, but I'm glad to know it's there.

hey guys, i totally went and got homeowners insurance yesterday afternoon. there's an allstate right down the street. it took five minutes. it's $375 a year. so easy. oy.

poor guy that lives under the fire apt., he moved from another apartment within the building where he had renter's insurance, but didn't yet have it transferred. i hear his place is trashed from water damage. :(

Yikes kd! Glad to hear everything is alright. And agreed about how easy it is to get that insurance...so many other things about buying/owning a place are such a pain but that part is ridiculously easy.

citizenkoz, do you have a pic on flickr or something? i've been doing a lot of chair shopping lately, but am having trouble picturing your table.

kdkaboom, that's awful! but it's so good that everyone is ok.

Hi all,
I just bought my first home two weeks ago and stumbled across this awesome site. Thanks for all the tips and inspiration! I have lots of enthusiasm but no talent in the decorating field so I need all the help I can get.

Happy decorating!

(Glad everyone is okay, kd. Insurance is definitely a good idea.)

Maybe someone can help me with this...

I'm dying to get my hands on one of PBteens hi-light floor lamps in silver. It seems they only have white and navy left. I've searched ebay and craigslist, but nothing. Does anyone know of a way to strip paint off of something like this... or is going that far just not worth the trouble?

Oh... a link might help.

http://www.pbteen.com/products/p1544/index.cfm?pkey=csallgt

http://www.sofa-blog.blogspot.com/

If you want to enjoy a cute photo visit the above blog.

Can anyone send me the link of the home with the owner of the round, I believe, birchwood coffee table that was handmade by a designer friend?!

It is the one with the black belt like brace around the wood. Thanks so much...

I had high hats installed 2 months ago and the bulbs have blown out. The bulbs advertise 1year guarantee. Before I call the electrician. I would like to know if anyone has experienced this.

I need help finding a set of four Paul Mccobb planner group chairs - I am looking for something slim, light, that uses wrought iron and unfinished wood - think rustic modern/urban organic/MINIMAL.

kdkaboom -

That sounds horrifying! I'm glad your cats are OK. I'd think they might be shaken up for a while, though, as might you be.

Since you didn't have insurance this might cost too much, but there's a company called Serv-Pro that my folks used when they had water damage from letting the bathtub run over once (they DID have insurance), and they used fans and stuff, but I think they also work on fire damage, as well. You might think about having them at least come in a have a look and see what they can do to help you salvage more stuff and/or make it smell less smoky. Their slogan is "like it never even happened" or something like that.

I haven't actually been to my folks' house since that was completely over, but they say they've managed to not have any mold or anything since then.

dan,
what about these:
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.1062178.2724571.page

citizenkoz, these are wood and leather and amazing: http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=172812
planner group occasional chair: http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=161886
set of six dining chairs: http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=74118

i could go on and on, of course i have no idea what your price range is.

Can brass be spray painted??
I have an old set of brass sconces that belonged to my aunt. Kinda fugly on their own, but I think with a nice matte black, they could be cool. The jewels dangling next to the black.
Anyway... is there anything special i need to know before buying the spray paint?

brass can totally be spray painted... just get primer & paint that are formulated for metal. there are lots of option at paint/home stores. i've had great results with matte black "grill paint"... it's made for bbq grills & gives an iron-like texture

i must be tired today , didn't even realize dan and citizenkoz are the same person

the modernica showroom in nyc is closed now, right?

i'm interested in this chair and wondering how it compares to the bertoia side chair...

http://www.modernica.net/index.php?target=categories&category_id=25

looking for something with a small footprint for my desk after being totally inspired by that gorgeous photo: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/chicago/4-1-08lightweightfurniture.jpg

i'm not going to be sitting at this for hours on end, but i don't want to be sitting in somethign super uncomfortable either.

Heads up, y'all. The Marimekko-H&M collaboration hit the store shelves at H&M yesterday, 4/10. All Summer pieces, men's and women's collections. The few men's pieces rock hard. Kind of a Swedish take on Lily Pulitzer/Trina Turk cruise wear using Marimekko prints. How hot is that?

AndreaU--

You can convert any plug-in lamp to hardwire.

Steve Glenn's mom is my friend and she sent an e-mail to say he's on 20/20 tonight. I admire his work a lot. Living Homes, has been featured here.