apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Okay, not design advice... but a question to AT & all.

How are we to handle measuring and more importantly including (or not including) outdoor spaces in the upcoming Coolest, Smallest Apartment Contest submissions?

thanks

-k

LEATHER SOFA - helpful all, thanks. And to the one person above who understood my true nature, thanks. I love this site but everyone is so godamned polite to each other it occasionally makes me wonder whether you are all posting from f*cking Kansas. IN any case, for the baby, then: ANILINE LEATHER is real leather but is scraped, dyed and has a thin plastic coating. It looks cheaper than soft leather but is supposedly a bit more stain resistant. SOFT LEATHER is relatively untouched and more comfortable but without the shell. Perhaps I should keep the kid locked in the basement and not let him near the sofa.

Thanks Jonathan

Thanks for insulting Kansas Jonathan.

Maybe you should take notice of the politeness of others and try to emulate it rather than being abrasive just to be abrasive.

What happened to all of the negative comments about Schrager Home that were posted at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/012406/flatiron-district/schrager-home-nyc-000417 ?

Jonathon, it's a very simple answer....and, it's subjective, of course.

The "up", or positive, side of stains, etc. in the untreated leather is that it is character, a lived in look, a patina which evolves over time, a loving tribute to an active family, while still being able to enjoy a beautiful material in one's home, stains or not, either way, it's all good.

The "down", or negative, side to untreated leather is anxiety, fear of what it looks like to others with small stains here and there, constant supervision of your child, throw covers over the sofa, and again, general anxiety, because stains WILL happen.

What your temperment goes toward, I don't know, but it really is as simple as how you and your wife will perceive the stains that will come with.....well, just what kids do because that's what they do.

Would I make this sacrifice if I were to do it over again? Who knows? Depends on my mood and thinking at the time. But, even though my gorgeous leather sectional is a mess of built in stains, it looks good to me and I have more important things to worry about. I happen to hate "perfect". Perfect is too sterile for me.

If you can't stand the thought of stains, then get the other one. If you'll hate the other one's aesthetics, get the untreated one, but you CANNOT blame a child for doing what children do, that you don't get a pass on.

I think the baby is not the one who should be locked in the basement.

I think the obvious design solution is to put the sofa in the basement.

Jonathan, congratulations on your soon-arriving baby and sofa.

culture shout-out to DC area ATers

the extraordinary Meredith Monk and Co are at George Mason U. this Saturday night - somewhere in Fairfax Cty . .

click my name for her site and info on the show
"Impermanence"

o, and a culture/design query for DC ATers . . .

anything great at the Smithsonians et al this week?

Jonathan,

You need to read this article and appreciate that Kansas is the center of the world and thus you should show it more respect!

http://tinyurl.com/z6w62

And one of the coolest stores I know is in Hays, Kansas:

http://cspost.com/

I'll check later, but the National Gallery has a Cezanne show, I think one on Dadaism also, and the SI Native American museum has a show on cultures of the Northwest, about which seldom is heard. National Building Museum is always wonderful.

Just found a great site via brownstoner.com

http://www.charlesandhudson.com/

They have a link to apartmenttherapy in their side bar.

I like the look of the free standing room divider that they linked to on the TLC site and thought about just such an idea a couple of years ago here:
http://forums.newyork.craigslist.org/?ID=6011583
Should be the perfect solution to many a renter's problems with sectioning off space.

Direct link here to the TLC project:
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/project/project_03.html

Still surfing and found this on my travels:
http://ideas.houseinprogress.net/archives/001031.html
I think I clicked through from the charlesandhudson site.

The comments on the signal vs noise site do highlight the problem with the second set of stair drawers in that leaving them open is dangerous but, as long as everyone remembers to close them, they are an ingenious solution for getting more storage without robbing other useful space.

Wasn't it Jonathan that got upset with the open thread a couple of weeks ago when we veered off the topic of his sofa after many posts dealt with only his sofa? Maybe not but it rings a bell. I thought his insistence that we get back on track and discuss only his problem was a bit nasty. IMHO.

Oops, is that too polite?

yes, Anne, it's the same Jonathan, rude then, and now. He was prompted to apologize by someone & explain by another but did not reply to them, (quelle surprise).

I love how thoughtful, and polite, posters are in AT.
Good for you Jeremy.

It's okay, Jonathan. I get you.

Wende in SF, aquarabbit, Enrique, other ATers in San Francisco:

Remind me when and where the SF get-together is? Will be in town after all this weekend and would love to try to meet up if possible.

YCH:

Haven't forgotten about checking out All World Furniture. Will try to do so this week. Sorry for the delay. . .Remind me what piece you were thinking about?

Leslie
aka, me (the first one)

Did anyone see Mission Organization last night? They had a couple who live in a small place and USE all of their stuff. Not too much was purged; it wasn't the primary point. A new twist that is more relevant to me, at least, than the other eppys.

Me (tfo): Sunday, say 5:30-ish for a couple hours, Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel (495 Geary). Enrique tossed out that brilliant suggestion, then I went through a bout of inability to make simple daily decisions, and my dithering proved contagious.

Anyone in SF area, please drop in!

Jean,
I watched Mission Organization last night. I thought the kitchen organizing was excessive; a tupperware container for EVERYTHING. God forbid they purchase a new spice or 2 cucumbers instead of one.

Man, I just had a show in Hays, Kansas last week, and I walked by that store...it was closed. sucks.

Wende, I will be there for sure! Will try to cobble together a Redwood Room worthy swank outfit.

Ah, but David, you have to be a real Get-O Head to perhaps really appreciate that. All of those Modular Mates! Heaven! Big chunk of change, but they are hands down the best for that function.

I just really liked the fact that this couple knew what *they needed* and what *they liked* and wanted a plan for it. Not the usual Gail "TOYS EVERYwhere! FULL of CLUTTER!" with a jillion bags of trash.

I like Gail, btw.

Jean,
I do think it was a nice departure from the usual - throw out or donate things you don't use and use double rods in your closet. (no brainers) The show seems to be branching out. Recently saw an episode where they did a whole bathroom renovation; tearing down walls and new fixtures - the whole nine yards.

Leslie, it's this one:

http://www.allworldfurniture.com/product_details.php?itemid=393

Thanks again!

To Jonathan O'Couch
Twelve years ago I was shopping for a rug at Einsten Moomjy and told the saleman I had a six year, a six-month old golden retriever and worked outdoors so my house was always dirty. He told me I didn't sound very happy. I left, of course, and bought a (gasp) polypropylene faux oriental that had every imaginable substance inflicted on it over the next few years. Truth is I loved my life and I didn't want a rug that we had to walk around literally or figuratively. The rug is history, the six-year old is graduating, the dog a sweet memory. Whatever you choose, make sure you can live on your couch without regret--the years will fly by and it's only a couch. I've graduated, too, to a better rug, and never regret the choice to go with a temporary when everyone was because the memories are what are permanent.

thx jean

and

thx kea for the lovely reminder

Kea -- Any suggestions for a brand of polypropylene faux Oriental that looks good while it endures all pains? My last try in this area was the worst $200 I ever spent (it pilled!), but with two cats shedding and oop-slopping, various craft projects involving sanding and paint, city dirt blowing in the windows, and a habit of drinking (and spilling) coffee all over the house, I don't want to feel I should slash my wrists if something gets on the bedroom or dining area rugs.

Guido, are you coming to DC?

The topic of replacing ugly sliding closet doors has come up several times over the past year. I recently decided to replace mine with the PAX STORDAL doors from Ikea. I posted some pictures, etc., on a open thread last week, but I just thought I'd mention that the project is completed. Click on my name for the latest pictures.
I'm really pleased. It's not Poliform, but it is the look I wanted for a great price. More money for '97 Brunellos and Tods -- right, luigi?!
Ciao.

kathyrn,

how wide is that closet (with the glass doors)?

looks great btw!

Thanks minh!

The doors total 118" wide and 93" tall. My closet extends another 6" on each side.

Kathryn - What a satisfying project!

guido, coming soon to a suburban town near you

great job kathryn!! that looks really great and you just inspired me for an area that i have been struggling with since moving in a few months ago. i have an open nook area that i want to turn into a walk-in closet/dressing area and i think something like this would look perfect! thank you.

guido, baby! So, the night that you'll be seeing Meredith Monk in DC, my posse and me will be seeing Astrid Hadad (your suggestion, thank you very much) with El Vez (the Mexican Elvis) at Royce Hall, UCLA! So even though we will be in two different places, it will be like we're circling parallel universes--er, or something like that.

SF folks: I'm definitely in for this Sunday at the Redwood Room. I land at SFO just after 3p and should be checked into the Clift by 4p. Woo-hoo, it's on!

P.S. Target's Global Home line is now marked down by 50%--but the pickin's are slim... Also, saw a great $49 lamp: Target's 1972 Architect Table Lamp--inspired by (ok, knocking off, really) the Starck Archimoon K Lamp. Similar lines but with a pleated fabric shade.

Kathryn -
That IS a VERY cool project! I love those glass doors!

Thanks everyone! I added some simple Elfa shelving and spent last night putting everything back into the closet (after some additional de-cluttering, of course). There is SO much more room in there now.

Kathryn, GREAT loft! I just browsed through all of the photos of your loft and it looks beautiful. Can you tell me about that color you used on your living room wall? Love it.

Jonathon
dude, go with any leather couch you can find that makes you happy
my folks bought two white leather sofas when i was, say, 6? and they still have them (i'm well into my 30s now) and they still look GREAT
they survived me, my abnormally large black lab and all my friends (we lived in the country, there was LOTS of dirt, so this truly is a testament)
my mom says the key to keeping them beautiful all these years was cleaning them with lexol (http://www.lexol.com) about once a month

by its very nature, leather repels water, stains and actually looks better when they're a little more broken in (read scratched and worn)

buy what you love, take care of it, and you'll always be happy (or at least not regret dropping a buncha money on it)

Kathryn,

Your place is awesome! Where are you at in Chi town? I was trying to tell from your deck picture, but can't place it. We are near wrigley.

Jeremy

Christina, the paint color - is Behr "Costa Mesa", kind of a greenish yellow.
_______________________________________________

Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the kind words. I live in a 9-unit loft building called the Palace Lofts on Lincoln Avenue near Wellington (above the Gold Coast Gallery). I can just see the stadium lights at Wrigley from my deck. You posted pictures of your place (bathroom- I think) not that long ago, didn't you? Very nice work!

Luigi,

Yes that was our place in the bathroom contest, thanks. We are near wilton and waveland and are lucky to have a great view of the back of the scoreboard and some of the stands from our deck. I can't wait for spring and summer to get out and enjoy it!

Jeremy

My husband and I are thinking about buying the Heavenly bed from the Westin hotel. Has anyone heard anything about it? Is it worth it? Thanks in advance for your help!

kathryn, those doors look great. i live in a rental, and have really ugly closet doors that i've wanted to replace since i moved in. can anyone comment on whether they think it would be worth it to replace them myself as im not an owner? does it makes sense?

Jianni, I bought a Heavenly bed from a local CA chain in the fall, and saved about 250 bucks going this route. Totally by chance, though. I'd been to several stores to try out beds, and one salesperson showed me the bed, pointing out that Westin doesn't do the manufacturing, just the retailing. Score.

I don't remember their alternate name for the mattress, but it's probably different at every store anyway. I bet a few phone calls to your local stores would ferret out who carries it.

But is it worth it? Oh my, yes! Forget foam toppers (I'd had one of those) -- this is the most comfortable bed I've ever had. Period.

I have been swamped and not reading AT or posting much but after this thread and reading yesterday's thread about the horsehair (I will never ask a question about horsehair again...) I must say I so HEARTILY AGREE WITH P(TOO)on the basement thing.

Also, because I just can't help myself here, ANILINE is the name of the DYE, not the leather. Aniline Dye is for real or fake leather and other things. You can use it on wood, for instance, you just don't want it on your skin because it takes forever to go away. I have used aniline dye on furniture. The plastic coating on the leather is a separate issue.

Let's all be friends now. AT is a marvelous place. As my long departed Aunt Aida used to say to my mother and me "Fight nice"....

hi squixan,
sorry for the delayed response, but IMHO, I would not pay to install these doors in a rental. you might try convincing your landlord to do it and maybe pay for a portion of it (but only if you plan to stay there long enough to get your money's worth).

If i were renting a place with bad closet doors, i would just remove them and replace them with curtains, as maxwell has done before on SSBS.

$0.02

-- Kathryn