apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That Hästens comment drew me to the original thread
o my
did you ever get a new mattress, Pixie?

Anyone know when Dwell is having another sample sale?
I see on the site something in May, but that looks different than the rented storefront mayhem I attended two years ago....

guido,
Thanks for asking. Not yet (and I almost destroyed the bedframe in my vigilant Cure cleaning - I thought of it as wabi-sabi-ing the frame at the time, while we were deep into that). I do need a new mattress, but still haven't decided which kind, and need to balance all possible purchases for my place against each other (ugh!) and against my credit card balance!

It won't be:
a Hastens
foam (definitely too hot for me)

Probably won't be:
futon (although I was contemplating that for a couple of days).

NOT to reopen the mattress discussion. Just my usual endless contemplation of options and $$.

"oops!"
(boohoo)
"wabi-sabi!"

noooooooo!
well, YES, whatever works....

From the last OT:
"IKEA generally makes everything available everywhere, that's why their prices are low."

I would kill for some of the appliances IKEA has for other countries (smaller, cheap). Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!

I bought the AT book at B&N in Burlington, MA last night. I got the only copy available. It took me about 10 minutes, and a not overly bright employee to find. I read the intro last night; so far I like it A LOT. I'm moving into a new apartment this weekend, so there won't be much of a cleanup, but I'm sure my gf and I - we don't currently live together - will need to pare down a lot!

By the way, I was referring to kitchen appliances above. And by smaller I mean narrow.

I'll be going to Toronto tomorow for the first time. Any advice? Any neat stores to check out?

Avocado,

If you are referring to electrical appliances, then this is a REALLY BAD IDEA. The US has a different current from the rest of the world and so not only do you have to buy a plug adapter (the thing that lets you shove it into the wall socket) BUT you also have to get a voltage converter. I have one for some lamps that I just can't let go of. My friend has just moved here too and the converter they needed for their coffee machine was bigger than the coffee machine itself. They weigh a tonne too.

Thanks, Jessica. I figured there would be conversion problems. I just didn't know if there was some secret IKEA area with the smaller European appliances made for the American consumer. Of course there isn't. Because god forbid I not have enough room in my fridge to stuff 16 years worth of Hot Pockets, Ben & Jerrys, and CheezeWiz. :(

avocado -- Just for jollies I searched for "apartment" and "appliances" on nextag.com and was pleasantly surprised by the length of the list of narrow appliances out there.

The classic white Cheap Rental Apartment with Tiny Kitchen range has more variants than I remember just four or five years ago, and it's now possible to get a stainless steel gas range in 20".

jessica = smart

for fridges, there's been lots of info on AT about Summit/Conserv, the tall drink'o'water that's 24" wide. It's from Vestfrost, which is Danish. I think that's the only way to have those european designs here -- when they make them for us.

I considered going to Canada to get something like it, before the Conserv showed up here.

Anybody that has one, have you figured out any genius ice ideas for the summertime? Ice is one thing the summit is not designed for....

guido -- other than those ordinary ice cube trays or a big icemaker? How much ice do you need when you really need ice? Do you need more than two trays a day, other than for parties?

If you really want European appliances, maybe it's better to get an electrician to install outlets for them. My stove required 240V, but I'm not sure if it's really the same type of power...

Good Morning All,

I just posted a rather long dissertation on the history and evolution of DWR on yesterdays open thread if anybody's interested.

mary asks, "Do you need more than two trays a day, other than for parties?"

yes.

i have a tiny under-the-counter fridge, and my ice tends to smell of vegetables. (yes, i put baking soda in the fridge.)

i buy my ice at the bodega.

Ah. I also have a mini-fridge, but mine has a separate freezer door. Guido has a big fridge, though, if she has a Conserv...

I just don't use ice very often...

vintage poster source

AD home design show had a Polish poster booth CYRK contemporaryposters.com Does anyone have any similar sources, perhaps another origin country ? store in NYC ?

Thanks all

little sarah: You could try The International Poster Gallery in Boston. Pricey, but a great selection.

http://www.internationalposter.com

Avocado - I just went through the process of purchasing /quality/ apartment sized appliances for my teeny-tiny condo and did not find it to be an easy task. Sure, you can find all sorts of great stuff online, for reasonable prices even, but when you add on the shipping costs - anywhere from $150 - $500 it starts to get frustrating.

Basically, I had to do a ton of research on my own, find an appliance sales person who was willing to actually help me, and place a special order. Let me tell you, most of the appliance sales people for some reason DO NOT want to place a special order to Avanti or Summit for you.

It seems that the words quality, small, and appliance do not exist together outside the NY metro area. Sigh.

BTW - I went with the little LG slimline fridge, they have those in stock pretty much everywhere, and special ordered the avanti ceramic cooktop. Now let's see if they actually arrive!

Trish M.

Toronto - places to go & things to see
the Art Gallery of Ontario, is under construction but still open, and the new design is Frank Gehry. I think they have a Gehry exhibit on right now. The Royal Ontario Museum is also being renovated to look like a giant faceted gem.

Magic Pony - www.magic-pony.com
and a cute restaurant near there is San Korean restaurant (serves modern japanese and korean food and has won awards for the interior design). The neighborhood where this store and the restaurant are located is called West Queen West, and there are quite a few affordable design shops, galleries and good restaurants in the area (Queen st. West, between Bathurst St. and Dufferin).

You should also pick up a copy of 'design lines toronto' which gives details about all of the stores and restaurants that you'd probably like, it's free and can be found in many of the downtown shops.

Pick up a few Canadian magazines while you're here too, 'Canadian House & Home' and 'style at home'.

Good Luck! tell us what your faves were when you return!

here is the link for Design Lines published by Azure magazine:
http://www.azuremagazine.com/designlines/toronto.htm

My recollections of Toronto are 9 yo-dim, but I remember (vaguely) the neighborhood in the city called Yorkville (?), full of little fun boutique(s)-clothes, homewares, kids' stuff etc., and pleasure to scavenger on foot.

Like rasil, I like to have ice for 6 cocktails and a couple of lemonades on hand at all times, yes. I like to entertain.
That works out to be alot of ice, but not enough to buy a bag at the bodega.

The two mini trays that fit in the Summit = not enough ice.
I guess I'll have to put some sort of tupperware in one of the drawers, or give up the smallest drawer entirely to ice. But that's too much ice, even for me.

Now, any Conserv-ators figure out what to do with that large clamshell vessel that came with the fridge? Sort of looks like a veg keeper, but . . . a mystery unrevealed in the manual.

guido, what about buying those re-usable ice cubes?

CLick my name, there's one type - with a container. THe benefit - they don't absorb odors.

thx, rachel
not a product I had considered - I wonder if they make them not shaped like teddy bars! I'll look around.
although
I tend to make/drink things that I'd like to dilute a little - strong iced tea, or Lillet. And I'm not sure how I feel about putting magenta plastic in my drink.
that said,
have you ever seen little lights that go into cocktails?
They go on when they hit moisture, and go out when your drink is done. Fun for Brooklyn backyards.
My friend had some from a party organizer in Miami, and I've never seen them elsewhere . . .

No, but I've seen the lights go OUT after (too many) cocktails.

In my name is a link for cubes, I don't know if they react to the water for their power though...

and mroe light up party fun here: http://www.glowsource.com/

Check out the pitchers and wine glasses! Craptastic!!

angelune & Tat - thanks for the tips! I'm going there without a clue, so all advice is welcome. Been so busy with work there hasn't been time to research the area.

I'll check out the magazines of course. Now that I've purged a bunch I'll try not to go crazy buying more. It's a vicious cycle (or recycle, if you will).

Hey guido, did you ever see the series on Amy's Mott st apt remodel?

In this thread she questioned the purpose of that same vessel and Matt said he used it as a crisper but no one seemed to know what it was really for:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/the-inside-out-mott-street-micro-palace-weekwhatever-002251

thx rachel
I just gouged out my eyes, but I can still type.

I'll have Fresh Direct send me five cases of Mike's Hard Lemonade, and not worry about the ice anymore...

(the less horrible, moisture triggered device is a clear roundish thingee)

wow, those ice cubes are in the rare category of useful things too ugly to buy.

thanks jamie pup!
I missed that one.
do you have an actual photographic memory,
or just a really sharp melon?
; )

Anyone want to go to the Kips Bay Decorator Show House (that was posted last week)?

I haven't seen anyone mention it, so I just wanted to pause for a moment and call your attention to the passing of Jane Jacobs.

You can click my name for her obituary.

Trish M.,

I'm a former Torontonian living in NYC. It's been awhile, but I do get back at least once a year, so here's my 2 cents:

Check out College St. north of Spadina (Little Italy) for fun cafes, bars, shopping.

Harbourfront has a big antiques fair on weekends.

Queen St. W. has good spots too, though has been invaded by chain stores you can find anywhere in recent years (you might want to check out Club Monaco's home store Caban tho, just for fun--they don't have them in the U.S.).

If you go further west on Queen, there are more funky, independent spots: design store Quasi-Modo; 20th C. antiques at Red Indian; lots of Pure Design and Umbra stuff at Urban Mode (not sure if it's still around)

Kensington Market and St. Lawrence Market are great for food tourism. The Danforth (East side of the city) has TONS of great Greek restaurants. The Roof Bar at the top of the Park Hyatt hotel (Bloor & Avenue Rd.) has a great view and classic cocktails (and sometimes celebrities).

The Bata Shoe Museum is kind of a fun oddity too.

Doug, thanks for mentioning Jane Jacobs. She did a lot for living in this city.

I just heard about Jane Jacobs on NPR.
"The Death and Life of Great American Cities"
has not been culled from the shelves, and will be reread tonight in her honor...

glad to see her remembered here, thx Doug

Thanks for posting, Doug.

Doug. What an amazing woman and rich life well-lived! ! Someone should write her biography. She's inspirational. Thanks for posting.

Lori2 - I'll be going to the Kips Bay House at some point. When were you planning on going?

Michelle,
Thanks for the tips on buying apartment appliances. I had started looking a while ago and gave up. I will persevere. Also, I want stainless steel and one brand will have the fridge, another brand will have the oven, etc. I would feel better if that all were the same brand. If wishing made it so...

And I am in urban planning and I cannot say how many times Jane Jacobs is mentioned. ("It's eyes on the street, y'all")

Anon, I read your DWR information, thank you very much for taking the time to post it!

Avocado, I would be more than happy to spend some time trying to find the items you want. If you could please give me the information on what you need, I can set off on a search.

Avocado, here's an article that mentions some of the various brands and prices:
http://tinyurl.com/kbnhb

You could also ask Jenny and Clove about their appliances, they have several smaller sized items like the ones mentioned in the article, and they might even have a local source for you!

Anne-

I didn't have a time set yet. When were you planning on going?

I did find out that groups of 20 or more get a $5 discount (normally it is $30).

Field trip, anyone?

It's gone up again!?? It was $15 then $20 then it went up to $25. Now it's $30? Shit! That may keep me away.

Just joined and am compelled to add to the discussion on Jane Jacob's passing. She explained so thoroughly what makes a city a great place to live. It amazes me how we continue to make some of the same mistakes that she cited in The Death and Life of Great American Cities - and that was published in 1961! She will be missed.

Nora- Thanks for the tips! I'm making a little "cheat sheet" of them. It's always great to have the insight of someone who has lived there.

Trish--oops should have said "College St. WEST of Spadina". Have a great trip!

curbed.com has lots of Jane Jacobs links
interviews etc
for anyone interested

Appliances: Does anyone here happen to have the LG combination washer/dryer and, if so, could you comment? I have read good/bad reviews, the worst factor being durability, breaking down after only 5 years, but don't think they can be beat for space saving. Thanks.

I had the LG combo in an apartment I lived in for two years, so all I can say about reliability is it was fine for that long ... It took forever (well, three hours) to dry towels, which is less annoying than it sounds because it's extremely quiet.

Now I am reduced to the communal laundry room.

I thad the best brunch of my life in Toronto. We stayed in a hotel, I believe on Bloor, around the corner from the St. George stop of the subway. When you come out of the subway, go west on Bloor, in that first or second block - there's a days inn sort of caliber hotel - 1 or 2 doors down, there's a little cafe with dark wood trim, and a little patio out front (it's on the north side of the street). Sorry for the Horrible directions, but it was really an excellent brunch. YOu'll know you're in the right place when you walk in and see a narrow and long space, with a counter/pastry case along the right side with a selection of wine and drinks on the wall, and mirrors on the left side, and lots of dark wood, and a tiled floor - very 1920's paris.

The Orange mango juice and omelets are to die for. :)

A follow up not on the Bodum. I don't use the plunger .I put the coarse grounds in the glass then when the coffee is just right I pour it through a paper filter into the mug and it makes great coffee or tea. Just have to be carefull an hopefull that thin glass will last.

Hi-I don't see the original comment from Laurie wishing for the Clutter Cowgirl (referenced by Maxwell at the top of the thread)and I don't want to violate AT rules, but if it's ok to say so, I do the same kind of work, have a website and would return the e-mail. If Maxwell thinks it's okay for me to post my info, I will happily do so.
Sharon