apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

These are great suggestions (thanks Patrick & Al). My friend thinks it's not right to have guests sitting on a his comforter/duvet, plus he wants to show off the clean lines of the frame. He's leaning toward the R&B daybed cover vs a sheet. Is there anything wrong with guests sitting on a sheet?

Post-superbowl round-up: how many people did you fit in how small an apartment and what was your strategy for managing the crowd?

four people
crowd control managed by not turning on the television!

and not advertising the menu

Can anyone send me to some info on how to make wall panels as hidden doors? Something like http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_small_space/article/0,1793,HGTV_3382_4272884_10,00.html (It doesn't show them opening on the image, unfortunately). I want to have a door look like it's part of the wall, but when you push in on it the door clicks open.

You would probably need to find someone that does custom cabinetry. Try entering custom cabinets new york in google and see what comes up. That guy really had his place tricked out!

I can't imagine that. All you should need are some European Hinges from Rockler.. I'm just not sure what type of door should be used and that sort of thing. I don't believe it should be incredibly hard to do.

Yep, I was thinking European hinges and push-push latches. If you simply want to blend in with a wall I would go for painted MDF but any furniture grade ply would do.

The only tricky part is that the door frames (that you won't see when the doors are closed) cannot be butted up against the flush door because you need space for the push push latches to work. I was going to do the same with MDF but just did the Euro hinges and a cut out in the MDF for a handle (like the West Elm stuff) but it would have been an easy step to do the push push latch.

Do you plan on installing into a wall between studs or building out from a wall into the existing floor area?

BTW, it was superbowl weekend? Darn it - that means I must have missed shark week on discovery.

jamie:

So you just used a large sheet of MDF rather than a door?

This specific one would replace an existing set of doors (http://flickr.com/photos/lordscarlet/12825173/in/set-235515/)

I'm not sure if it is feasible, but I want to at least research how it could be done. (I have other issues like continuing the molding that need addressed as well)

Does anyone have suggestions on linens for a daybed -- looking for modern & masculine not overflowing with cute pillow. My friend purchased the parsons daybed from Room & Board (see link) and needs ideas. Pictures would be helpful. Thanks!

Yep, I had to add a piece to the top because the ceiling was about 10' in that room. I chose MDF because it it rigid and smooth and I wanted to go for that hidden look. I used a lot of hinges to hold the weight of the MDF and avoid strain on each hinge.

Why would you want to continue the moldings if you want to have a hidden look? Do you mean continue the base board?

jamie pup:

Yeah, my ceilings are 10' as well. Did you take it all the way to the ceiling? I'm not sure about the implications of the return for the AC that is above the doors.

Sorry, yes, I meant the base board.

Lenny--
My favorite sources for bedding are Garnet Hill, Area and Dwell.. just ordered a Dwell set for a Summer redo of my apartment. I purchased them at South Beach Style when vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale, but lots of (cheaper, evne!) online sources. Google away!

You could also look for the "Ready to Bed" washable silk collection from Ann Gish. Lots of great colors, all in a tailored look.

And the Crate & Barrels with furniture departments also have bedding, none too terribly frilly.

Finally, check out DWR (their bedidng line is realtively new) and Room & Board itself.. they carry nice bedding.

I took it all the way to the ceiling because I was closing off a 3' wide alcove to make it into a closet. I wanted one clean look and the opening was already 10' tall.

In your case I would take off the molding, finish with corner bead and dry wall, cut out MDF to fit in the existing, remainig opening and nail the base board to the bottom MDF. You will need to cut bevels into the baseboard on the doors and the walls where they meet the door to allow the doors to open. That is, if you want the hidden look but, as much as I prefer the cleaner modern look sans molding, I would not be tempted to change the look of your place because the doors fit in so well with the entrance door etc.

Oy, a lot of typos in there.. sorry!

jamie pup:

Thanks for all the help. I think the door actually looks junky when you see it in the room. It takes up that entire wall. As I said before, this isn't definite, but I wanted to figure out what was involved just in case. It's also just something I've been curious about how to do in general.

diana who wrote on friday that i should email her (about possibly subletting), you never gave me your email! so please send me one at aliorange at hotmail dot com. thanks!!

ali

Another great source for bedding is Area by Anki Spets. She is Finnish, I think, and works with linen and linen/cotton blends. Super comfortable and linen is a wonderful natural fiber that breathes, and is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Think your favorite linen shirt. Several years ago, all her designs had this austere Scandinavian beauty to them. Lately, she has added bold colors and patterns. Worth checking out.

Being a native Pittsburgher, I did indeed watch the "big game." I only invited as many people as I could seat because I didn't want people crowding my view...actually, I had one more than I could seat on my living room furniture. So, 5 including me. I had dining room chairs too, but the fifth opted for floor.

Your welcome. Guests on sheets? Hmmmm. Sounds a little tacky. Another option would be to get some great fabric ( Mohair or velvet or chenille or damask from Joe's or Harry Zarin) and make (or have made) a bed cover. Welted with square sewn corners and no bottom, just to fit over the top of the mattress. Easily removed for sleeping but looks great for daily use.

I have a question. Are there any no major construction, renter friendly, DIY solutions to creaky wood floors? Mine drive me crazy, but short of doing some floorboard stabilization, I don't know what can be done. Would some carpeting deaden it somewhat, or no? Thanks in advance!

Christine, I am pretty sure you can go to Frager's and get a product specifically made for that problem. Ask Nick.

Superbowl, fit 15 in our apartment. Put the food out buffet style in the back room (a couple of subs). Put the drinks and beer (that could fit) over ice on the bar in the back of the living room and the rest in the fridge. Put boxes for empties in the corners so avoid buildup and put chips/dips/appetizers on the coffee table and bar.

IT was a tight squeeze, but everybody had fun. We have a huge couch which fits 6 and some turkish poufs and a couple bar seats. I could care less about the game so some friends joined me in the back lounge aka my bedroom.

SF ATers:

There's a DWR Sliding Sofa on sale on Craigslist -- I wish I had room:

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/fur/131553487.html

I can't remember if it was here or on another blog - I saw some wall mirrors/floor mirrors with frames made from recovered tin ceilings? I've got a long-ish hallway, and after hanging art along it, the piece that had been at the end is now underwhelming. I think more light and reflection is needed...any suggestions on a place I can find one of these mirrors (preferably online, I'm not in new york) :) Thanks!

Hey Christine, what part of Pittsburgh did yuins come from? I grew up in Morgantown and did all my shopping in P'burgh.

I had one person over for the game. Cleared off the large coffee table, set out the usual game stuff and then we ordered in at half time. Oh, and he gave me a DVD player last night (birthday present). Now I'm part of the 21st century. If only I knew how to hook it up.

Doug, I was about to post some lame help about hidden panel doors and then I thought "wait, JamiePup is going to have the perfect solution! I'll wait and read his posts." And I was right.

I mean Dave, not "doug". Sorry

We never do SuperBowl parties -- our tradition of quite a few years now is to go have dinner/lunch/whatever at a quiet brewpub with a TV. Our current favorite location had NO ONE eating in the main restaurant section but us!

Hey anne, as long as you are anne I met at the AT party at Built, I can hook you up.

Yes, that be me, jamie pup.

I have used those panel doors in client's homes but I have just told the contractor what I wanted and it was done. To be honest I've never learned how to do them but have looked closely at the work. It seems that with the right hinges and properly cut door it should be easy. I don't need any but now I know who to rely on when I do need them. Thanks, jp!

OK good. I'm not getting confused.
I was talking about your dvd player anne but can help out in other areas. Let me know if you need help hooking the dvd player up.

Hey Christine re: floors. Creaky or squeaky? Squeaky can sometimes be minimized by putting a little talcum/baby powder into the joints. Acts as a dry lubricant. Creaky usually means there is a problem with the subfloor and needs professional help.

JP, you can hook up my DVD player !!? Yes, yes, yes! Any time you're free to stop by just let me know.
addg1@verizon.net

THANKS!!

Lenny--

Before I answer about whether guests should sit on the sheets, I need to see a pic of the "clean lines of your friend's frame." ;)

Seriously though, I agree that a daybed needs some sort of cover for when used as a sofa. The same concept of bedspread or coverlet.

Rachel,
Olde Good Things carries a bunch tin cieling panels & frames mirrors with them too. Check out thier website at:
www.ogtstore.com/pages-main-category-1058/tin-mirrors-and-panels.
Janice

Patrick (the other one), its the Parsons daybed from Room & Board. My original message has the link, click my name. Thanks!

Was away for awhile...and missed the answering of my floor question. I think they're creaky, but maybe I'll try some of the squeaking solution and see if it works. Thanks for the Fragers tip, Jean.

Anne, represent! I'm from Greensburg, east of Pgh. You may have seen signs from the turnpike or passed through on Amtrak! :) Otherwise, pretty unremarkable. I have a friend living in Philly who is from New Martinsburg.

Doug –

Not sure if you read AT the bedtime edition?

My mother did something similar. She had a long bedroom, and wanted to create a walk-in closet at the far end. She created a false wall (which the bed is against) with two hidden doors, one on either side of the bed. She framed the wall with studs, then put up the wallboard. She used standard doors for the closet doors, and went with piano hinges. The hinges aren’t completely hidden, but it looks good. She has a few pictures of the process, if you want me to send them to you.

doug, about the hidden doors.
I've been thinking about it and realized the Euro hinges are going to be too stiff in the closed position to allow a push/push latch to work. The door won't pop out easily. So you could go for a piano hinge but even better are the floor and ceiling/top frame anchored hinges that you can get from Hafele with the hidden swing handles that fall away hidden but you can easily pull up to open the door. I'll try and find a picture for you.

Thanks Janice, I'll check them out....it looks like they;re all pretty small though, I'm looking for something in the 6' tall x 2-3' wide range....

thanks!

jamie pup and Lorie 2:

Thanks. I'll put some research into the hinges. The main thing I was unsure of was the door part, and you guys have helped with that. I'll let you guys know if I end up doing the project and how it went.

I don't follow football, so I like to shop or whatnot when the Super Bowl is on. Way less crowded.

Doug and jamie pup-

I have done the flickr thing. Click on my name for pictures of the wall with hidden doors process...

Lori 2:

Looks very nice! It slides?

Hi Rachel,

Try this website: http://www.merrimacironclad.com/
The guys at Merrimac make some beautiful furniture and mirrors. They might just have what you're looking for... and if not, I'm sure they can make it. They're super nice too! :) Cheers!

I have a cutout in the wall for a door, but would like to have it look like just part of the wall including the moulding, can someone point me in the right direction?
thanks