apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm first I'm first! I just want to say that it is scary but so exciting that AT is growing so much--and cant wait for the book of course

I'm second, I'm second (maybe!)

After all the mattress discussions this month, I had a brainstorm, possibly a breakthrough on what I should do about my 11 and a half year old mattress. The cover to the mattress has a zipper all the way around and I have already replaced the foam in it once, but it was never the same as the original. Two pieces of foam so that two people can have different foam conditions. I am thinking that I can replace the foam and maybe find different sources of foam that might be better than the last replacement AND turn the mattress around from head to foot. It's always been in the same direction. I'm thinking that the coils probably are less worn out--if at all--in the foot of the bed, or at any rate, the wear will be different. The bed had a warranty of 15 years on it, which I take to mean it should also last 15 years, if I do stuff like this. So, I can get some more time out of this mattress. Even now, with the foam I have in there, there is no space between the small of my back and the mattress, which is supposed to be one indicator of whether the mattress is working for you or not. My former partner thought the bed was no longer giving adequate support, but hey, I'm partnerless now and I never really noticed that.

Question: does anyone know how long mattress coils last?

I've got another question about matress longevity.

Does anyone else feel a little icky when you think about how long you have had your mattress, the amount of time each day you spend on it, and all the, um, detritus that the mattress must have absorbed over all that time?

It seems most ppl replace their mattresses as frequently as they replace their sofa but now that all this mattress talk (especially the stuff about sweaty foam pads) has got me thinking about it as a huge sponge that never gets thoroughly cleaned, I'm beginning to think we should be changing mattresses more frequently.

Hey. I've got a question.

I scored 4 Amazing Warren McArthur aluminum auditorium arm-chairs, from a talented stylist and nice guy named Chip Cordelli who Craigslist / AT posted here. They arrive today and I'll need to get 'em recovered.

What do we think would be interesting and cool to upholster 'em with? So far...it seems mohair is the best solution. If I want to go a little crazier...what should I consider as the upholstery textile?

Pic here, (scroll all the way to the bottom)....and thanks all.


http://homepage.mac.com/breezahontas/PhotoAlbum77.html

my solution would be a washable mattress pad. Much cheaper and perhaps more hygenic too.

Ok, jamie pup, you're ruining my illusion of getting a few more years out of this mattress.

Hey, got the Design Within Reach newsletter yesterday. Quite a lot of space devoted to the Smallest, Coolest contest! Go AT!

How often do people change their couches? I think of a real couch (not mine) as a long-term investment.

Any tips on where I can donate my old kitchen appliances? I'm having new ones installed, and the old ones, while a bit old, are i working condition, so if someone could put them to use, I'd prefer that over having them disposed (in a landfill, presumably).

I could put an ad on Craigslist, but I first want to see if there are any charities that could use these.

Oh and this is in Jersey City, NJ. Thanks!!!

The reason is they are very bulky and expensive items to replace. Can you imagine spending $1000 and upwards every few years on a good mattress? We wait for our bodies to tell us when it's time.

Whoops, never mind my couch question--I was reading jamie pup's comment the wrong way.

Also with all the mattress talk I though I'd recommend Westin's Heavenly Bed. It's insanely comfortable and rather affordable as good mattresses go...

Best,

a link: http://www.westin-hotelsathome.com/productGroup.aspx?sessionID=de3e7271-4ecc-49fd-a777-56a3804c34b5&category1=bed&category1Name=bed&category2=Mattress&category2Name=Mattress+%26+Box+Spring&categoryLevel=1&itemID=HB-124

Then again, maybe our annual tax return (if we get that much back) can turn into a revolving mattress account.

Scott -
There's all kinds of cool. But when I bought a set of aluminum mid-Century Goodform chairs, I used a dull-gold vinyl, which looked great with the "dull silver" of the aluminum. The vinyl aspect kept the chairs from being too "precious" but the dullness of the gold managed to keep it from being too flashy, while managing to be kind of elegant. So it's kind of a blend between "dinette" and "formal dining", which works great for me.

Yep GZ, I know that's the primary reason. I'm just saying that if you think about it, maybe we would rebalance our spending.

But a thick mattress pad would also do the trick. Thanks danae.

NJ_gal, sorry this is nyc only but it may help:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mvc/html/donate/want_donate.shtml

They link to build it green which seems like a a great way of doing things
http://www.bignyc.org/

NJ-Gal -
Click over to "Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen" and see if the guidelines for their BRAND NEW Classifieds are a good fit for your appliances, and you MIGHT be their very first posting there.

I think those classifieds (as are the ones on this site) are free.

GZ,
actually i think spending $1000 every 5 years for a mattress is cheap. that's $200 per year, that's 55 cents a day.

I think there are some mattresses that will last 10 or 15 years and if you pay $5000 for a mattress it better! but if you're paying less then $1000 i'd be surprised if it lasted that long. especially with all these no-flip designs.

most people put off buying a new mattress because they see the large initial expense, but if you factor it over the life of the mattress it really is pennies a day. and when you figure a good nights sleep affects EVERYTHING in your life it's a bargain!!

And everytime (ok just two) I've bought a mattress the guys bring it in, set it up and remove the old one. the worst part for me though is shopping for one, the mattress buying experience is the most unpleasant ever! which is why i'm glad i only do it every 5 or so years!

I've got a Teflon® coated mattress cover that, so far, has done a great job of keeping too much "detritus" from soaking it's way into the mattress.

Best,

Jamie Pup,

You made a very good point. I certainly don't manage my spending to fit the comfort I'm looking for.

OK, back to my mattress. Since I can replace the foam inside, how can I tell if the coils are still good/how long do they last? Since I can replace the foam, it's like upgrading to a new mattress, at least in terms of support, if not detritus, right? Then, I can also get some kind of fluffy pillow top to put on top too.

pixie,

that's not necc. true, just replacing the top layer foam is not like a new mattress. it is an old mattress with new top layer foam :) the springs do wear out over time and will not support as well. with that said if you still find it comfortable and can get a good (restful) nights sleep then i can't tell you not to do it!

a related topic that will make folks feel a little better about detritus and dust-mites in your mattress (but they still can be a problem!!)

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000407.html

Jamie Pup, it's all about the mattress covers...I grew up not having or knowing about mattress pads. But, with this new mattress we got a year ago, we have a cover for the mattress and another (heavier/quilted) cover for the mattress topper so unless we have way too much fun, that should be good enough! :-)

Scott,
Cool McArthur chairs! I have a similar one but with less padding in the seat. Unfortunately, mine has its original ugly sea-foam green vinyl upholstery, which I've been thinking about redoing for quite a while but have never gotten around to doing it.

I know someone who has the same chairs as you do, and he redid his in a mohair boucle, dark brown I think. They looked great.

Scott,
Oops, I made a mistake. My friend has a slightly different McArthur chair from yours. You can see a picture (not of his) at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/042705/scavenger/scavenger-4-warren-macarthur-folding-chairs-for-2000-002647 . In any case, it's still pretty similar to yours, and his looked great in the mohair boucle.

jamie pup-
THANKS for th Straight Dope on that! I swear, I just threw out some perfectly good pillows after seeing something about that on the TODAY Show a couple of months ago, and now I feel like an idiot. Methinx those pillows weren't really even that old.

pixie and pup
(you should go in on topics together more often..or maybe I'm having a cute delirium this morning)

jammypup, quilted mattress pads are a must
for absorbing stray fluids - this absolutely works
the only experience I'm willing to share on a public board involves my elderly dog who leaked on my new mattress.
saved by the pad!

susiq,
I always wondered about those dustmite protector covers -- they seem crinkly. I don't want to cover my nice natural wool mattress with a plastic bag.

pixie,
flip that mattress front to back and side to side every couple of months. it's not hard to do, really.
you're correct that it is a requirement on the longlife guarantee.
now I'm on my way to DC -- anything I should be doing there in the way of *cultcha*?

For "detritus" of a MUCH more pleasant kind...

A reminder that the Modern Show returns this weekend (February 24-26), and is always worth a look...

At The Armory (these Armory buildings alone are worth a peek) on Lexington Avenue @ 26th Street,

Open Friday & Saturday from 11am to 7pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. $12 to get in.

I''ve heard good things about that westin mattress. What's a "queen split"? Larger than a queen?

guido,

i'm partial to DC (since i still live here). we have plenty to do (i'm guessing you're going to the dada and cezanne at the smithsonian?) i'd also suggest the cafe in the american indian museum if you need a quick bite on the mall. for food there are lots of places to go, but things are a little spread out and it depends on what you're in the mood for. Luckily in each category there are 2-3 clear standouts, just ask the locals. we're still pretty friendly (just don't wear red or blue! j/k!)

It's like a banana split. Only MUCH more FABULOUS!!! ;)

minh,
I live in NYC
I'll be wearing black.

and perhaps going to the dada show
I know the Smithsonian pretty well (having toured visitors there all the time when I was twelve and lived down there)

I'm going to Meredith Monk's show Saturday at GMU
in Virginia
but wondering about a couple other things to do - I've got a few days.

Thanks guido. I have been flipping the interior foam pretty regularly, but not rotating the whole mattress front to back, since the original instructions didn't say so and it never occurred to me. I think my new foam + pillow top + mattress cover idea is worth a try, since I have a lot of other things to spend my money on than a mattress at the moment.

I've been thinking about DC cultcha and haven't come up with a specific thing for this weekend! Other than the museums, which others have mentioned (don't miss the National Gallery Sculpture Garden, next to the National Gallery, which has an ice skating rink in the winter; you can rent skates and there's also a cafe where you can watch the skaters.) There is a lot of theater here too--Studio Theater, Arena Stage are a couple, besides the behemoths and on-the-beaten path ones.

My cultcha will consist of a trip to Ikea early tomorrow with a friend to spend a long-held credit on a storage item for my bedroom - a credenza, closed shelves, something like that.

Where are you staying?

I'm staying halfway between the Smithsonian and the VA Ikea . . .
that is, with family.

also looking for some place to go after the show
IN FAIRFAX VA
that serves food after 10pm. sheesh.
We were hoping one of the brilliant Vietnamese places, but nothing appears to be open late.

jamie pup,

that's not quite as bad as when you're in a hotel, trying not to think about how many bazillion people have slept on the same mattress you're sleeping on.

UGH.

Oh yes, that is pretty gross to think about and I have thought about that every time I stay at a hotel.

Guido: Have you been to the National Building Museum? It's not far from the mall, and the exhibits are usually fun for interior/architecture interests (though I don't know what is there now). The gift shop is good too.

Try surfing the Washington Post archives of the food critic, Tom Sies-something or other. He is universally loved, but every week there are online chats and I am sure dozens of people have asked questions re late night eats. (If you can stay in the city, look for something in Chinatown/MCI Center/Gallery Place to be open late...from cheap Chinese to beautiful people hang outs on 7th street).

If you are shopping a bit, try Miss Pixie's on 18th Street in Adams Morgan (don't know if it is the same Pixie as posts here); Vastu on 14th Street (I am also partial to Go Mama Go and Home Rules a few blocks south -- but nothing you haven't seen before) and, if you feel like a flea-market experience, try Ruff n Ready and NU2U (also on 14th Street).

The African museum (relatively new to the Smithsonian family) had an awesome exhibit of contemporary African artists - really, really special, I think it is hung through the end of this month. I also heard good things about the massive Italian Renaissance sculptures at the National Gallery (also leaving soon) and the orchid show at the downtown arboretum (not certain if the latter is still open).

To scene-soak, try Tryst for coffee and small eats in Adams Morgan, or Busboys and Poets at 14th & V. Lauriol Plaza in Adams Morgan is good cheap Tex Mex food, but its usually mobbed.

Well, that is enough from me already!!!

for Mattress hibiees jeebies

they make a mattress now that zippers the top layer off so you can wash it [I'd recommend big ol laundry mat washers] just for the reasons you said...excess skin/body goo and other unmentionables.

PS Guido: If you are really at a loss you can always come over to my smallest, co -- well, smallest apartment and watch my menagerie watch the laundry go round and round in my LG front loading combo machine!

Jennifer cited many good things. Miss Pixie's (not related) is one of my favorites. They recently moved just a couple of doors up from Tryst, the cafe, also a huge fave, on 18th St. Busboys and Poets is packed, packed, packed (worse than Tryst) on the weekends, but it is worth checking out anyway (these all have easily found websites). National Building Museum is said to have the best museum giftshop in DC, although I like different ones for different reasons. Besides all kinds of interesting items, it has a big bookstore full of architectural and other building-related books. Really cool.

I don't know Fairfax at all. Check out the Chowhounds for DC and Baltimore to find/post for eateries out there:
http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/boards/dc12/messages/47565.html

Guido, how long are you in town for?

I fortunately never (well, rarely) think about that in hotel rooms, and I hope I don't start now.

guido,

things do close around 11PM or 12AM in fairfax. if your near GMU, I'd take 50 back towards 495 (or even to 7 to 395 south, i'll tell you why later). With that in mind i'd try

Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield (near 50 and gallows) which is open till 12AM (bar closes at 1AM) so you eat at a leisure place. Not too exciting food wise but solid.

If you want more ethnic, there are some chinese rest. along 50 that are open late. I know Miu Kee which is a little past 495 heading towards the city is open till 2 or 3AM. It's reasonably priced, solid chinese food. but be warned the staff can be brusque as the clientele are mainly chinese. even I as a chinese-american feel rushed sometimes!

you can try eden center (which is at the seven corners intersection in falls church) but i think most of those places close at 11PM. If you can get in around 10PM then I'm sure you can finish up. there are a number of vietnamese rest. there, a lot of people like 4 sisters (i'm half vietnamese, i think it's ok, but i don't like vietnamese food that much anyway). There's also Fortune across the street which is open late (pretty sure) but I'd rather eat their in the morning for their dim-sum them at nite.

if you're still driving, then head down 7 east till you hit bailey's crossroad. there are 4-5 thai restaurants in that area; Duangrats, Neisha Thai, Rabieng. But i think you'll run into the same problem--you'll need to get there before 11PM.

that's all i can think of right now. if you're here a couple days and eat meat (well they have veggie burgers too), I highly recommend Elevation Burger in Falls Church (near my house, woohoo). This is my new favorite burger place--organic kobe beef (from a local farm), fresh cut fries cooked in olive oil, hand scooped shakes--i just with they were open late!!
http://elevationburger.com/

Oops I meant Tom the food critic is NOT universally loved, but...

My personal fave down-home-DC style place to eat is Colorado Kitchen. It is nowhere near where you are staying, but it is in a part of DC that is still like the city I remember growing up in. And the homemade donuts are amazing!!

guido--you're way down by the Ikea in Springfield? That's a schlepp. There's another Ikea in College Park, still a schlepp, but not as bad, that I'm going to tomorrow.

There's also the Washingtonian as another option to look up restaurants:
http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/

If you haven't been to the U St/14 St. area lately, it sure has changed -- it's the hip, edgy part of town. Jennifer mentioned some of what's on 14th, and there's more on U St on either side of 14th. If you like desserts, Cake Love on U St. is a must. (I love it, but some don't like buttercream). Check the website.

Hey, this is DC day on AT!

guido, if you have an email you don't mind posting, I can contact you directly too.

thanks a million minh, Jennifer, and Pixie

Builders, contemporary African artists, and the Native-Am cafeteria it is . . . god, I used to love the little old ladies that worked the cafe under the National Gallery. It was one place where DC was without doubt a southern city.
And I'm very into contemporay African work after seeing the Short Century show at PS1/NYC. That's exactly what I was hoping for!
I lucked out in DC a couple years ago with ancient Tibetan medical teaching paintings at the Frick or the Freer. LOVE the Smithsonian.

I'm DCish til Tuesday.
my email is guidoo at mac dot com, and I fear the rest of AT is going to hate me if we keep chatting here!

o wow, while I took too long to write, there's a million more bits of info
THANK YOU!

minh, my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in VA is in Ballston or Clarendon, behind the Public Shoe store . . .

The cafe under the National Gallery is no longer a southern city artifact, in case you haven't been there lately. It's under the East Wing, with the window wall of water cascading down. Food's great.

Mattress Question Here!

Can anyone recommend a kind of mattress for a guy who tends to sleep HOT? I swear, I'm like a radiator at night... It's for a full size bed - probably going to be a platform bed actually. I'm planning to buy a new bed this year. Any thoughts? (not sure if this helps, but I'm 5'10" and about 150 pounds, early 30s)

guido--
One of my favorite places in DC is the National Portrait Gallery. Doesn't always make it on people's lists, but I always enjoyed it when I was there.

Unfortunately, the National Portrait Gallery has been closed for a looong renovation. They're due to reopen this summer.

Rob--
Oh, it helps. ;)

I've heard (and the ATers can concur or deny) that a natural sheepskin mattress pad helps to regulate temperature.

Whoops. Thanks, Pixie.

But now at least Guido has one less "To Do"!

NJ_gal, In between charity and the landfiull, there is Freecycle. My working but bare bones gas stove was picked up by a nice gent who was going to install it for a low-income friend. Win-win all around. Man, some freecyclers will take anything. Just follow some common sense precautions if you are inviting someone into your home to pick them up. Check them out at Freecycle-dot-org. There is a Hudson County group you could start with.

This is really off topic, but I'm sitting here listening to wwoz, it's a new orleans station I listen to a lot and all the music is mardi gras music and it's so much fun, good background music for the weekend!

Hey all, it's bedroom month still, right? So I just submitted a question through the 'email us" at the top, but should I perhaps pop it in here, too?

Essentially, it's "help! My bedroom lacks interest!"

I linked to a (small) shutterfly album in my name, you can just click view pictures without signing up - I need something cool and CHEAP to do. I'm interested to hear what anyone else might see/think about the room to make it look better. :)

rachel-I have those same (ugh) closet doors in my bedroom! I'm longing to get rid of those and have been thinking of tearing out the frame around the closet and having a completely frameless closet with top to bottom doors of some sort on it. Something like that. I hate having the closet frame that creates so much difficult-to-reach space inside the closet.

The first thing I notice about the bedroom is how the bed partially covers the window. I see that your options are probably kind of limited, what with doors in the various walls, but is there anywhere to put the bed so the window is not covered and the outdoor view or at least light can be most effectively used?

I really like the hallway with all the framed pictures lining it.

Also, I like the supervisor.

Not sure it would work, but can you put the bed on a 45 degree angle? It doesn't even have to be 45 degrees, can be more on one side, less on another. That may give it some energy. You're almost there, it's a very soothing room.

Pixie -

YES! on the closet - I can't reach *anything* or see anything. It's so freaking unweildy. I hate the closet (especially because you can see the 'bump' in the wall - that's the 'end' of the closet. This was a very poor remodel that the previous owners did. Bleh.)

Angles or non-window space for the bed are very hard to come by. It's a queen, and the platform around it is huge too. We tried to angle it, but the length makes it too long (so I can't get into the closet) - I've thought about putting it on the other wall, so it runs lengthwise, but that other window looks up at the trees and sky, as opposed to the street - we leave it open in the summer and look outside when we wake up - which is really nice.

I'm tempted to demo the bathroom and make it the closet.

rachel (in denver)--
How important is the window behind the headboard? If not vital to your well-being, I'd treat it, and the wall behind the bed, with ceiling-to-floor draperies (that can even be pulled away from the window from time to time). I'd go with white, same as your trim. Pottery Barn's heavy linen, or a backed white sailcloth. It's important to the illusion (of your new "wider, centered window) that they really block the light.

For the closet doors, apply a series of wide horizontal equidistant frosted stripes.

A bedside table, one small pillow of color (West Elm, anyone? Or one of the Thomas Paul faux Bamboo pillows in a cinnamon color curently on eBay) and you're done, sister!! (Love your bed, love your wall color)

Wondering if I can say the word "boucle" with a straight face but Curtis and K...you're right. Much appreciated. Those choices would be very smart.

P2, (since I have the same odious mirrored doors) -are you saying to put stripes right on the mirrored doors? With what?

Thanks Patrick -

I had thought about frosting the doors (but more long the lines of frosting them in entirety, then doing a cut out similiar to the pattern on Amenity's drift comforter).....

I'll check out those thomas paul pillows -

I'm not sure about the curtains, just because the house is *really* dark I like as much light as possible - I had thought about trying to do something like the wall linked in my name, but with the opening over the window, to balance out the wall.... and switching the bathroom door to open inward rather than out (because that's just the dumbest design thing I can think of).

Pixie--
That removeable window frosting film. From a signage shop or the semi-permanent kind that you "float on" with a spritz of water, then burnish the bubbles out.

Rachel--
I think curtains would be cheaper!

But what about if you ran a two-track rod, with a layer of white sheers behind a layer of opaque white drapes? That would allow you to leave the actual window section covered only by the sheers most of the time, but still preserving the illusion of a wider, centered window behind the bed.

Rachel, my heart yearns to drop some accent pillows with a color or a pattern on your bed! Just one little pillow! With a pattern in your white/beige and the wall color!

Love that wall idea -- the unbalanced window was bothering me so much that I almost suggested putting a mirror next to it, extending down to sill height, just to even things up.

Hey There AT,
I'm thinking of buying a battered black night table and repainting it white and also replacing the hardware.
I've never really done any DIY furniture before, any tips? Specifically on how to repaint it? is there a special type of paint I should buy? Is it possible to apply enough paint to cover the current crusty black?

Danae -
Is the table painted black? Or is it a veneer? I would be hesitant to paint over a yucky surface - you might scrape it though and be fine to paint it, if it's paint.

hkjhkjhk,

A queen split is a regular mattress but a two piece box spring. They're designed to make the bed easier to get through tight doorways and staircases.

Danae -- SAND that table. Even if it's veneer, you need to scuff it a bit so it'll take the paint. If the black is paint, sand it smooth. The success of the job depends on not having loose bits of old paint under the new paint.

Then prime. I adore Rustoleum's universal spray primer, as it sticks to just about anything, fills in rough surfaces, and takes a variety of paints on top. Get the primer coat on smoothly, and the paint job will look much better, whether you use spray or brush.

If the surface ended up being slightly rough, and this shows with the paint, that's why there are faux finishes. A little faux makes everything look like it's on purpose, and you don't have to go Country to go faux. (I decorated a troublesome table to look Moroccan. It's much happier that way.)

Then give it a good coat of sealer. The spray kind comes in both matte and gloss, so I imagine the brush-on does as well. The sealer makes the surface much easier to keep clean.

Rob - you said: (not sure if this helps, but I'm 5'10" and about 150 pounds, early 30s)Any thoughts?

Yeah, eat something!

Pixie, you wondered about the acquisition of horsehair. I got a response from HSUS. It's not that satisfactory but here it is:

The HSUS currently has no director of equine protection, but I'll be happy to try to answer your question regarding how horsehair is acquired.

An brief Internet search suggests that most horsehair for commercial use in this country is imported from Mongolia, via China. Logic would indicate that it would be difficult to obtain horsehair in any quantity for the international trade in musical instruments (bows), upholstery, saddlery and tack, jewelry, and a host of ethnic craft goods from a source other than the slaughter and/or rendering industries, wherever its origin, however.

I did find come across this information on the traditional use of horsehair in woven tapestries made by the Buryats, from Things from Horsehair and Yarn Made in Alarskiy Aimak, by R. Myrdygeev ( Verkhneudinsk, 1928).

“There was a special ritual (“adha dylhylhe”) for harvesting horsehair. In the spring, after first grass appears and days become warmer, a group of young strong men gathered together and caught horses with special ropes with a loop. The entire herd was brought into a fenced space and there the horsehair harvesting took place. Only the mane hair, the small tuft of hair from between the ears, of mares and foals were harvested, never of stallions, as well as the tails of the colts. While the men were harvesting hair, the women prepared the ritual meal...
During the Soviet times, according to Baiarma Dambieva, it was easier to obtain horsehair from slaughterhouses where hair were mixed with other substances, and where one really had to have a strong desire to work with tapestry: a strong smell makes horsehair collection quite a challenge. A few organizations were collecting horsehair but, with the fall of the Soviet Union, this source vanished and obtaining horsehair became quite a task...”

YCH:

I finally made it to All World Furniture today. They don't have the Meta Sideboard in stock, and it would take 8-11 weeks to get it from the distributor. It's made in Portugal, and I looked at some of their other pieces from the same manufacturer. It's engineered wood, covered by wood veneer. It looks okay, a step up from Target, but I think perhaps down from West Elm and CB2. But then it could be that perhaps I just have a bias against things that aren't real wood and that sound hollow when you tap on them. Does that help at all? I hope so.

I've heard some great things about the mattresses at the Westin Hotels. Does anyone know who manufactures them. It would be cheaper than buying them from Westin (although their prices aren't that bad).

Anne said: "eat something!"

Don't mind if I do! Actually, I'm just one of those generally fit people, but it helps that I'm really active.

I was really hoping for some info though - maybe I'll have to pose the question to AT's "Good Questions" ...I'm a hot sleeper and have trouble sleeping in the summer because I can roast myself awake! Since I'm planning on buying a new bed and mattress soon, I'm trying to figure out what my best option is for not overheating.

Can anyone help me out there in AT Land?
Yesterday, or was it the day before, I saw a post for someone who picks up furniture in your apartment and brings a "wad of cash..." Was it Max or someone...? I can't find the post and I want to do some selling this weekend!

Any help would be great.

anne, thanks so much for getting that info. Mongolia is the main source here - unexpected. Anyway, I won't be buying anything made with any horsehair, ever, unless the person who made the item gathered the horsehair from live horses themselves and if I trust them. I sent in a question to PETA on this too and will report it if I get a response, which could take a couple of weeks.

Rob, since you're male and 30 I doubt it's menopause. But I've found that the herb Dong Quai is great for night sweats.

Pixie, I try not to use anything that comes from animals. I've alluded to that in past posts. There are too many alternatives to justify using animals for human pleasure. That includes entertaining purposes as well.

anne, I agree.

anne - My Westin mattress was manufactured by Simmons Manufacturing Co somewhere in Georgia.

I got mine for a great deal (40% off) because my wife works at Nordstrom (I think it's the only retail place that sells them).

Best,

heather, that would be Harold Katz at Big Apple Antiques. the link is here:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/022206/central-villagenoho/big-apple-antiques-001543

the q was a mistake.

钢杆
清洗机
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电力杆

Rob - have you thought about one of those foam "egg crate" type mattress toppers? They are supposed to help with circulating air underneath you. I'm always hot too, and when I had one of those on my bed it seemed to help. I'd have one now but my husband hates them.

P2 -
Sheepskin? However comfortable it might be, wouldn't it kind of NOT protect against mites, though, unless it was on top of something a bit less porous? Maybe I'm making a leap that I shouldn't. Hmmm...

Rachel,

I really like the strong lines of your bedroom -- the bed and framed photographs are great, as is the wall color. I agree a bit of contrasting color would help. Also, once you have a side table, a bedside lamp or wall sconce in a round or orb shape could maintain the strong, clean lines while breaking up all the angles. Subbing out one of the standalone photographs for another piece of art would also help add interest. Good luck!

Hey everyone -- For full disclosure I just wanted to let you know I recently posted as "jen" on a couple of other threads. Those were my first posts to AT. Now that my husband and I are doing The Cure guest posts and I'm credited as Jennifer, I'm sticking with this username from here on in just for clarity and because I'm sure there are other jens and jennifers out here already. I hope this lessens confusion and doesn't create any.

Melsky, I always thought those egg crate things would add heat... am I wrong? Am I better off buying something else since I'm going to be starting over with a new mattress / futon / somethingorother (probably for a platform bed)

Rob:

Not sure about mattresses, etc., but definitely bedding made of linen. It's glorious to sleep on actual linen in the summer. Or anytime, actually.

people were asking about the westin heavenly bed, here's some info i found, you should check out the website referred for more info.

that particular website tries to translate one stores model to another so you can comparison shop. since there are only a handful of mattress makers but every store has their own model name so it's hard to compare.



According to mattresshotline.com's mattress model translation utility, the Simmons Templeton Ultra Firm is their Simmons Worldclass Beautyrest Carmel Extra Firm ($839 mattress only shipped).

In their Ask the Mattress Pro forum, the owner has answered dozens of inquires on the quivalent model for the Westin Heavenly Bed. And he points to the Simmons Worldclass Carmel Super Pillowtop 100 (also $839).

By looking at the these two models in their Simmons catalog (http://www.mattresshotline.com/catalog/simmons/index.cfm), here's the comparison:

............................Extra Firm (W Heavenly Bed)
Coil Count------------------850 (Queen)
Coil Gauge------------------13.5
Comfort Genie Rating--------20
(1 hard to 100 soft)
Motion Seperatin Index------180
Thickness-------------------11.5"
Quilt and upholstery--------Bountyloft Foam,3/4" PurFoam,5/16" PurFoam,Celestra Fiber,1/2" Bloc Foam, 1" Bloc Foam


............................Super Pillowtop 100 (Westin Heavenly Bed)
Coil Count------------------850 (Queen)
Coil Gauge------------------15
Comfort Genie Rating--------80
(1 hard to 100 soft)
Motion Seperatin Index------180
Thickness-------------------15"
Quilt and upholstery--------Bountyloft Foam, 3/4" PurFoam, 1.5" Convoluted Foam, Celestra Fiber, 3 layers of 1" Convoluted Foam, Bloc Foam

me (the first one) -- that helps A LOT. THANKS AGAIN for saving me from making a mistake!

Hey Everyone-

I went to the Cooper-Hewitt today to see the Fashion in Colors exhibit. I was totally disappointed - I thought it could have been so much better. :(

I know its off topic.. but all the bedding thats on sale for 50% off at DWR is ACTUALLY 70% off in the stores! And you can buy whatever is ON the beds in the stores too.. also for 70% off. and you dont have to wait for shipping. so.. yeah.. cheap. Dont know why no one else said anything yet.

Has this question been asked/addressed yet? - when getting a new mattress does the boxspring need to be replaced as well?

mihn, thanks for posting that. I need to get a new mattress and have been thinking about this one. I've heard so many great things about the Westin mattresses but haven't slept on one yet. There's a Westin a couple of blocks from here - maybe I should check in for a night. But then that would be $200+ I could have put toward a mattress!

me (the first one) - Linen is great to sleep on/under. I totally agree. It has to be washed several times to get to the softness but once you get there it's heaven.

anne.

yes, when replacing the mattress it's a good idea to replace the boxspring as well. especially if it's an older one with wooden construction (the wood will start to sag).

of course you could take the money for a boxspring and put it towards a platform bed :)