apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Can anyone recommend someone in Manhattan who makes slipcovers?

Hi,

I recently did a bit of a renovation of my previously way too crowded 250 sq fter, trying to maximize space and give a bit more of a modern Bauhaus/midcentury look. Now that a few pieces are in order I'm getting into that nearly cliched problem of a sense of my place feeling still empty , piecemail and cold.

I know partly it comes from the style, but something tells me I need some serious work (bad color scheme of white, black and red?) and I wanted to submit a few impromptu shots for the group. Excuse the stacked bed, duvet and cardboard in the bedroom (to be donated shortly) and other odds and ends on the floor as I'm still renovating:

http://home.earthlink.net/~nschaden/apt/apt1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~nschaden/apt/apt2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~nschaden/apt/apt7.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~nschaden/apt/apt8.jpg

Any suggestions for what to change or invest? I'm not looking to ideally invest in that much more furniture with my limited budget and unfortunately painting the walls is a no for my rental. Thanks.

Nick,
I tend to have the same type of problem in my space. I have concluded from reading Maxwell's book and also from P2's harping on how rugs and carpets should be used more that my space suffers from coldness and needs to be warmed and softened up. I haven't gotten to the next step of doing this, but I think the warming up will be with color and the softening up will be with area rug, pillows, and something on the blank walls. Maybe some drapes too. Your place has color, so maybe it just needs softening up.

BTW, your space is great. Congratulations on your redo.

Nick -

I like what you've done and don't think that it feels overly cold. To soften the space a bit more, I might recommend adding some long billowy drapes to replace the blinds (or at least cover them). A large circular rug would be nice at the sofa to mimic the shape of the table. I would also recommend some larger throw pillows for the sofa. For each, I would go with a soft tan or off-white (something natural colored) to pick up on the light wood of the storage units.

Good luck!

Nick,

The place looks good. Congrats on the redo.

Would you be able to hang a fixture over the table? It seems like it would be nice to have some soft light illuminating that area.

To echo the rest: great redo--your place looks very nice. I notice that you have most of your focus very low and that, as Pixie said, your space lacks soft elements. I would also suggest long curtains (floor to ceiling would look great) in a taupe or light brown. If you really like the red, maybe paint the wall behind the couch red? I think it could really warm things up (and help show off your sleek sofa).
good luck!

Has anyone received a catalog from InterfaceFlor recently? If so, is there a free shipping coupon in it that you could share? I can't find my catalog and I'd love to shave the price of my rather large order a bit!

Lori 2 - It's Riz from yesteday. Can I get info on that 1.5BR? Thank you so much. I'm moving out ASAP. my email is rizwan.mahmud at gs.com!

if anyone else knows of a 1.5BR - 2BR coming up for rent in the park slope/western prospect heights/caroll gardens vicinty or similar please let me! crazy landlord = me moving out ASAP

thanks!

I think the place looks very nice. You do need a rug, maybe a round one under the table.

Although I like the rothko print, it would be helpful to have something *much* larger on that wall. maybe you can find a big film poster or billboard fragment you like (I think Readymade sells billboard remnants) or you could use the rasterbator (don't have the url, but you can google) to create an oversize version of some photo or drawing you like, or stretch some marimekko fabric (although I think that's a rather impersonal solution). I'm assuming of course,that you are on a tight budget--I of course encourage everyone to go out and buy all the art they can affort! =^). Put the Rothko over the bureau.

I'm not sure what that dark boxy thing is that is next to the dresser on which your tv is sitting, but don't have these pieces next to each other--they look too miscellaneous. You have a separate bedroom? do you have a couch in the living room? love to see the rest of the place.

p.s. I think if you have a rug and more art, you won't need curtains--save that for last, as the simple blinds contribute to the modern feel.

Nick--

I think what you've done is great, and I think aside from the mention of a textural rug, and continued art acquisition, I think you really just need a "stying" job... move your accessories around. Cluster stuff and contain it on trays. Set up and play with vignettes. Think big scale with any other accessories.

You're already going organic with decorative items... keep that idea going. But make sure it's "gutsy" enough stuff to stand up against your other very sculptural stuff.

And get that metal coral bowl on the table! They are MADE for each other!!

Pixie--
ME, HARP?!?! Never!!! ;)

ps:
I'd move the Rothko to over the piece of furniture next to it, and leave the wall it's on blank. Think "cluster".

And agree with Matty that curtains/drapes don't seem to be the next/biggest priority.

Nick, are you in NYC?

Nick -
What a great job you've done so far! I think that rug-wise, I'd probably want an octagonal rug under that table, to reconcile the roundness of the table with that angled window wall in what I think could be a fun way. I did something like that in my own dining area and I like it.

But it's a little hard to tell how that would relate to your living area, so you might was to see what sizes of such rugs there are, and cut out a template from some of that contruction floor paper, which is kind of like a drop-cloth stuff, so you can get a good sense of how the shape will work there, before you spend money on an actual rug.

Nick--
I also think some primitive or tribal/sculptural items would work well here, and give you the sense of "patina" you seem to feel is still missing... yet still keep things masculine and modern.

I agree with the tribal thing. Also, possibly enormous obscure antique industrial parts that look wonderful, and/or (Patsy Stone said to Edina Monsoon when she said that her shop was going to have decor, etc.), "So farm implements, then?" to which the replied was "Of course!"

Hey Nick,

Groovy little pad you've made for yourself there. This may sound obvious and silly but I think the only thing you really need "add" to give your place more warmth (although I agree with all above who said it looks good as is) is just a few random assorted personal things. Whatever you like and whatever means something to you. I totally love the idea of cleaning out, throwing away, purifying, minimalzenliving kind of thing. And I try to live this way myself. But I do need a few things around that make my little space feel like home instead of photo from a design catalog. In my case, these things are: a framed photo from friend the photojournalist, a mightily orange table lamp from Ebay, a cartoon of me being chased by a cloud of raisins from my beau, a throw pillow I made myself from vintage fabric, and my super-old electric guitar. And candles. Little ones, big ones, green ones, white ones, Indian ones in clay pots, whatever your mood is at the candle store. The best thing is that they burn up and go away, so you're never stuck with them. I like the ones that smell nice in a natural way, since I have a kitty. People still say my place seems emptyish, but no one's ever called it cold, because I usually try to keep at least one little flower in a jar somewhere and I have some stuff that let people take a quick look around and see who I am. So when I get home, I think to myself, yeah, this is ME, this little apartment softly sings to me about who I am at any given moment.

Oh, and I change stuff around. Like if I get really nice flowers one week, I might put them on the table with candles around them or if it's really rainy, I might line up my three little plants by the window. That kind of thing.

All the best,
Scanlynn

I really like this, and I think your color combo works, in this case. The description made me fear "80s bachelor pad," complete with Nagels, but it doesn't have that effect at all.

Definitely more art and a rug, then size up if there's need for drapes. I do agree that everything is very low, and that maybe art can bring the eye up. I think that may be why the bookcase looks tall and lonely.

Nick--
I also think fine art photography adds great and personal texture to a space.

Nick, I agree that the space needs some softening. In the first room, I'd replace the blinds with curtains. Since the window is recessed and you probably want to use the sill for display, use a tension rod to fit the curtains in the box. Sheers would open up the room a little, and you can get custom-length sheers from JCPenney.com for cheap. Do you really need the task lamp on the sill? I'd replace the boxy table lamp on the dresser with a lamp with a more rounded base, like a genie-bottle shape. I'd replace the pointy twigs with a plant with big, round-ish leaves or with something personal like one or two small-ish framed photos of family and/or friends. I think the scale of the wall art is fine, but as suggested, I’d move the Rothko over the dresser with the twigs and lamp. I think a big piece of wall art would make the room shrink. I’d move or get rid of the Aeron chair--it’s too big and I don’t think it is appropriate for a dining table. I don’t like the floor lamp. You could gain a little space by ditching the floor lamp and putting a lamp on the shelving unit, and then you could move the unit to the right a couple of inches to open up the corner a bit. In the second room, I’d put down a small, rectangular area rug. I’m okay with the TV on the dresser, but I’d replace the piece holding the components--it’s too large for where it is placed. I think even a $40 metal cart would work better, something a little airy.

P2-I thought that word would wake you up!

P.S. If you move the components to a cart, you can fit them behind the door if you move the dresser with the TV over to the right, more in line with the couch. Getting all of the media stuff along one wall would open up the space.

I'd asked (OT 173) what people recommended for a good wall color against which to display Heywood Wakefield Modern blond furniture. Wende (SF), Curtis, Tat, P2, A.L., and Andree offered diverse suggestions. Thanks all.

After over a week of experimenting, both virtually and with BM color samples, noting how the colors look different under different lighting (morning, afternoon sun, bedside lamps), etc., etc. etc., we went with BM's Razzle Dazzle for the walls. It's a sort of dark pink -- pink, but in a manly sort of way. When we first put it on, it looked like we'd made a ghastly mistake. The color was harsh and bright, too razzly dazzly. When we'd emerge after hours of painting, our eyes would be hurting and every other color with red or pink in it would look brown. We were thinking we'd have to wear shades in the bedroom. But, 24 hours after the final coat, the color softened to a deep rose. Perhaps we're mad, but we quite like it now. The H-W furniture is back in the room, and the wall color both contrasts well with the light wood as well as brings out the touch of pink in its finish.

Everything else in the room now needs to be light, though. A glistening white, perhaps, with touches of green. The tree outside the bedroom window is in full leaf now and its vibrant greens are happily framed by the rose of the walls around the window.

Which brings me to my question: bedside lamps? There was a discussion of this on OT 181. We've tried task lighting (specifically the Tolomeo), but it does not work. Lustrous white ceramic or lacquered white wood seems the way to go.

Has anybody seen the Eva lamp from R&B (http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RB3860&dept=RB207 ) in the ceramic and silk? Is it well made? I have a strange aversion to lamp switches coming off in my hand or shades not sitting right.

West Elm has several white lamps, but they seem cheaply made or derivative or both.

Jonathan Adler has interesting white lamps -- but he always gives me the feeling that he's overcharging me.

Simon Pearce (http://www.simonpearce.com/navSubDepartment.aspx?DeptName=DeptGlass&Name=SubLamps ) has glass lamps that might work.

Any other suggestions?

You've received lots of good advice, Nick, so I'll just add one quick thought.

I think that torchiere-style uplight is contributing to the cold look/feel of the room (though perhaps I'm biased, because I don't really care much for that style of lamp). If you had a floor lamp with light that angled down, I think it would make the place feel warmer and cozier.

Design Dabbler--
The Conran Shop has a simple glass cylinder lamp for a REALLY reasonable price (like $65, plus shade, maybe?)

Love that R&B lamp, and I would trust their quality.

But soooo many sources (including Crate & Barrel) for great vase-based kinds of lamps these days.

roundabout--
GREAT point about that light, but also about lighting Nick's space in general... shaded lamps, and table lamps, will give the space warmth, even if the lamps themselves are sleek and modern.

And I am a huge fan of the black lampshade.

Design Dabbler--pics please! I want to see it all pulled together!

i second pixie's motion.

"pink but in a manly sort of way" is too intriguing.

P2: I'd looked at C&B. Although they have a large selection of lamps, the ones whose shapes seemed appropriately sexy -- it is the bedroom, after all, a place for hope -- don't come in white. The Corrine, for example (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/spill.aspx?c=1220&p=1&viewall=1 ). I'll look at Conran. I never think to look there first, since I'm always expecting them to rob me even more than JA. Thanks.

Switching to Nick's lights: I agree, as well, that torchieres make for harsh, cold lighting.

Pixie who wants pix: I'll try and post some once we're quite done and my wife permits. She's not quite sure that she approves of my fondness for AT.

While we're on the topic: do any couples post here, or is it always one member of a pair? Why do we never hear from Jonathan's long-suffering wife, or New Tenant's New Jersey boyfriend, or Holly's husband, or any of P2's lovers? Is AT, for all of us, the equivalent of the boys/girls day out?

I can't offer anymore advice than what has already been posted here. All of it very good suggestions. Fabric and floorcovering is going to work wonders in your space and it's easy to do while keeping costs down. Also, I'm a big fan of uplights. One or two well placed lights on the floor to cast dramatic shadows is always interesting, especially at the foot of a tree or large plant. Even in a small place it's easy to put a plant/small tree tucked in a corner. It's very sexy.

DD, can you give me the BM chip number? Couldn't find the color by the name.

Lamps: look @ Crate and Barrel; Miranda, Lorna (yes, live - it's purple glass,not red)Tatum or Boka (green)

Tat: 1348. Thanks for the lamp suggestions. And, do you fly here solo, or do your SO's frequent AT, too?

DD, we posted at the same time, so -never mind my C&B suggestion.

DD, I'm solo on all counts.

I'll look @ the color binder later, tnx.

P2: I can't find the 65 dollar lamp at the Conran shop (online, at least). Is it something in the N.Y. store?

Nick, here are some specific suggestions and a few comments, then I promise I'll shut up. I have a lot of time on my hands today.

A teadrop-shaped lamp for the dresser in the first room:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1220&f=6440&viewall=1

A small sculptural lamp for the shelving unit:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RB3458&dept=RB207

A metal media cart:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000E1VOY/qid=1147804086/sr=8-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9667990-6108067?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=284507

I reread your post. I think the colors are fine. I don't think the apartment seems empty. If anything, I think maybe the few open surfaces are a little cluttered. On the tall shelving unit, I'd put the books in the closed boxes, a lamp on one of the open ones and the red bowl thing on the other. Maybe just one thing on the window sill. A glass bowl of fruit might work well in the center of the dining table. Do you really need to do multichannel in that tiny media room? You don't have the space to set the speakers up properly (for example, the subwoofer belongs on the floor), and if you got rid of the speakers, there might be room for you to move the TV over and stack the components next to it (meaning one less piece of furniture). Maybe there's room to put the floor lamp next to the couch?

DD--
Yes, I believe it is an in-store item. You in NYC?

P2: I'm in NYC in spirit, but not in person. Unfortunately, that's not quite enough of a presence to get to the bottom of the 59th street bridge

DD--
You can see the lamp in the photo linked to my name. I had the black shade made at Trans Luxe.

I'm due for a Conran run, so I'll check to see if they still have them and what the name is. I know they take phone orders.

They also have GREAT wood veneer drum shades...

But, yes, the incredible price point for this lamp was the clincher... and I've always loved the John Saladino Classic lamp this was inspired by.

i looked up Razzle Dazzle at the link in my sig.

i discover the infamous manly pink is the color of my bedsheets.

well.

Wow. I'm thoroughly, thoroughly impressed on the feedback I've gotten today guys. I'm still processing all this feedback so I can't answer all the questions but:

Jeffrey: The subwoofer actually is below, hidden in that "unused corner" near the big black old C&B media cabinet (agreed, too large). On the dresser are a left, right and center speaker. I don't want to overemphasize the bed/living room as really this big masculine home theater but at the same time the sound quality with the external speakers (just 2.1, not full surround) helps.

Patrick: Yes, I am in NYC. God bless having so many good resources nearby when you need em.

That reminds me, if anyone is still posting, of a quick follow up on lighting: "Natural" or cream colored shades vs. white ones. Often I'll see lights I like but they only have a cream vs. white shade. Do I have to keep all the lights consistently cream or consistently white? Is the suggestion that I keep the shade color cream all around for warmth? I thought more pure white would be more in a "modern" spirit but I don't know.

I've read AT for quite a while now and only now (ironically?) had the urge to completely makeover my apartment. Thanks to all - the advice on everything from media storage to lighting will be of great help.

Nick--
I like matching all the shade colors in a room.
I agree that pure white can read more modern, but it sort of depends. And I think cream shades can be more appropriate with mid-century stuff (warmer woods). But some MCM (like your table) also seem to demand bright white. (Gee... THAT was helpful!!)

Hey, I'm always up for a "styling consult" if interested... the "home stretch" issues you have (especially when starting from such a great base)are among my favorite kind of thing to help out with.

P2: Thanks for the link to your lamp pic. Yes, if you do happen to be at the Conran shop in the near future, please let me know what the lamp is called. How tall is your lamp and does the cord run inside the glass or dangle outside? There's no satisfactory solution to the problem of the electrical cord. If you try to hide it, it looks like, well, you're trying to hide something that you're ashamed of. If you embrace it, as Noguchi appears to have done with his Akari lamps, it looks like this little tail hanging off the nice clean lines of your creation.

DD--
Ah yes, that cord! :)

For me it sort of works, especially with the black shade... and I have other "exposed design"/industrial kind of lighting in my place, so it fits in with the vibe of my place.

But yes, that is a challenging part of that design.

DD, I went back through that old thread here:
http://tinyurl.com/zpazv

I thought Razzle Dazzle looked a lot like the pink I suggested, and by golly, if they aren't darned close. The top picture has the pink looking lighter, more like your new color, the bottom one is more intense. I'm soooo glad you went with that color, because I thought the combination not only worked, but it's smashing. I can hardly wait to see your pictures.

Ya know, pink IS the new tweed.

Ahhhh.....WHAT?

Nick, I think it's looking great, and I like red, white, black. It's kept from looking TOO stark via your lovely wood floors and the twigs you've added, as well as the tones in the dresser/cabinets (wood furniture, someday I'll know all the names of the items!).

LOVE LOVE LOVE all the drawers you have, gives you a lot of storage where there might not always BE storage.

How about this rug for the dining area, it's kind of big, though, 7'7"x7'7":
http://tinyurl.com/9r9jr

I have to go look around at some other stuff too. I have some ideas! ;)

Nick:

You could move the print above your sofa into the dining area. And put something like this above the sofa, it's not terribly expensive:
http://tinyurl.com/8y8o2

It does for that room what the twigs have done for the other room, adds a bit of nature and nature's uneven shapes to the "perfect" shapes of the round, square, curved, blocky items.

DD, I was just leafing thru a tome "Guide to Spanish Design and Interiors" and found a *sexy* *white ceramic* (not glazed, which is a plus), brown shade lamp for you. Too bad it's only available in Spain. (at my name)
And a fantastic rug that will work marvelously on Rob Mitchell's cork tile floor (click on "flying carpet") http://tinyurl.com/zxemg

P(2): what do you think of Agata low table from donaliving.com?

Forgot tosay - DD, look at L'Africana collection; it's Flash and I can't link it.

Tat: Those are really lovely lamps. Thanks for showing me that which I cannot possess.

Wow, Tat, those are some sexy lamps. But DD, don't despair! You can have one of your very own for approximately 381,45 € - including shipping to Los Angeles! (That's why I am; your mileage - hehe - may vary.)

Where.

That's WHERE I am.

Speaking of lampshades, I was watching some HGTV show (I want to say Room by Room, but I'm not certain) when I was home sick last week, and the host put artificial gold leaf inside of a plain paper shade...it looked great. Not for everyone, but for the right place...vavoom.

Nick,

If you don't want to stray too far from your red/white/black mod scheme, you might want to consider putting up a panel of African mudcloth:

http://www.stitchindye.com/albums/inspirations/mudcloth.thumb.jpg

The patterns are very bold and big, and you can also find it in shades of gray and brown, as well as a nice earthy black. While it packs a big visual punch, its handmade, "imperfect" quality might add some of that warmth your after.

I saw some mudcloth at Liberty House at 112th & B'way the other day. I've also seen it at a really crammed and junky-looking fabric store in Chinatown, near B'way and Canal. Its name escapes me.

Your place is great -- I think it just needs a few small touches to make it a bit more homey.

I think that marm is onto something. It's abstract, yet earthy. Kind of like what someone else (P2?) said about some tribal sculptures.

My wife and I have a lot of red/black/white going on as well. It's a tricky color combination. It can look great when it is done right.

Nice Rothko print. I'd suggest that you get another, pair them up, and place them over the sofa together (you could also use this opportunity to bring in another color). See link:

http://www.oldgreypoet.com/1999/199906/rothko.jpg

Then move the print that you currently have over the sofa and hang it where the Rothko is now.

I personally prefer indirect light, so I'm a fan of torchieres myself, but I don't think the one you've got is helping your place (I was actually quite surprised at how many people seem to hate torchieres outright. The light reflected off the ceiling is, generally, much less harsh than down facing bulbs... but I digress.). You could save some space by losing your torchiere, then move that desk lamp from your window sill and place it on top of that book shelf, angled up towards the ceiling. You'd probably have to use an extension cord with a switch on it to turn it on and off, but it would give you that same indirect light, free up the space that the torchiere is taking up now, and tidy up your window sill all in one move.

Also, I'd take half the books on the lower of the shelves and lay them flat, holding the vertical books in place. It's a small touch, but it will keep the books from falling over on the end, and just look better.

I think people have made some good suggestions- that window is begging for sheer drapes. Also, paint that heat-pipe white. It will help it disappear.

YOUR APARTMENT COULD REALLY USE A LIVE PLANT.

I assume you have the Aeron chair there because that breakfast table probably doubles as a desk when the laptop is out, yes? It looks like you have another Eames Eiffel chair off in the background. I'd suggest keeping the Eames chairs around the table and place the Aeron somewhere else, maybe over by the sofa, unless you are working at the table, and need the ergonomics of the Aeron (I love my Aeron, I'm sitting in it right now). Yours looks awkward flanked by the two Eames. Find another configuration to use when entertaining.

I realize you may have needed all the light for the photos, but the light from the lamp sitting on the credenza behind your table looks harsh. I'd suggest a lower wattage bulb. Definitely nothing over 40.

Best of luck with your home project.

wow... after reading all these posts today i can't help but chime in... i've been lurking in the shadows for far too long. :) so, hello to all of you and i'm really enjoying your comments. if any of you feel so inclined to take a look at my photos i'd love any feedback. i did a massive spring cleaning in february (spring comes early in southern china) bought the cure, and now i'm stuck.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29114399@N00/146651971/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29114399@N00/146651970/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29114399@N00/146651969/in/photostream/

all ideas.. or just say hi... are welcome.
-h

h in china -
Your flickr thing says, "Oops! You don't have permission to view this page" when I look at it.

marm-I used to have the futon on a futon couch covered in cloth similar to that and it was fabulous. It has so much graphic, yet funky presence and the colors are sort of neutral so a lot of colors will work with it.

h in china- do fix the flickr thing so we can see your place!

Hi - whoever wanted to know about the newest FLOR cataloug - I just got on in the mail and there wasn't a free shipping coupon thing in it. As far as I can tell.

I actually called FLOR and asked them about it. Turns out the coupon was in the catalog they sent with my samples. And they were nice enough to honor the free shipping even though I couldn't find the coupon!

So if you are thinking of FLOR, and hesitant about the LARGE shipping charges it may be worth it to spend the $5 on some samples in the hopes of a coupon.

Ah, sorry, DD.I realize now - it was like taking a candy from a child...or a shoe from Henrietta!

But aren't you inspired now to seek perfection and not to be diverted by cheap ersatz like Jonathan Adler (cheap not in monetary units)?

Remember what professors @ your arch. school told you, "your mission is to educate the public"? Mine did.

Tat Scampi: Fortunately, I did not go to architecture school, so I've no mission in life whatsoever.

Since you are in the education business, perhaps you can find similar lamps -- but easily available in the U.S. It's ridiculously not easy to find a sexy white lamp. What's this country coming to? I blame it on Bush.

Pheh, so unoriginal.

Haven't you told me you're an architect? I must be mistaken

In any case, educators and researchers are paid differently.

In my experience, educators aren't paid at all
(beyond expenses). Teaching, people seem to feel, is its own reward.

Researchers are paid on a scale inversely proportional to the magnitude of what they study. Research sexy white lamps and you get paid. Research the origin of the Universe and you get nothing.

My quest continues ...

DD--
There is a great curvaceous white gourd-based lamp at Restoration Hardware... great prices, and TONS of shade options.

Click my name for the link.

(so, um, why am I not rich yet?)

P2: Thanks for the additional suggestions.

About riches: The moment I figure out how to do it, I'll do it myself -- then let you know. Perhaps sexy white lamps are not the ticket that Tat thinks they are.

Design Dabbler: why do you assume the wife is the one who suffers? Good grief. I do all the design work (which is why it sucks). All she has done is send back the stools I ordered and complain that I am obsessed. Sheesh. Why do you side with her

Speaking of the wife - apparently she is pregnant. This means more crap coming into the house. And I need to get a paternity test when this child is born, given the number of contractors and workers who have been lounging around my home lo these many months.

The downstairs bathroom is DONE. Here are the pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343937/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343951/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343944/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343962/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343981/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343985/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415264@N00/148343974/

DD, you must be researching the origins of the Universe.

Or may be I educate people on a wrong subject.
I should start with the statement: if someone wants to delegate his search of sexy white ceramic lamp with brown shade to someone else, that someone else must be adequately compensated for her time and trouble.

So, It's ridiculously not easy(bold mine-T) to find a sexy white lamp but you have low opinion on magnitude of this study...

Looks like hunting an affordable sexy ceramic lamps with brown shades for those who can't do it themselves, people seem to feel, is its own reward.

J: Looks like a pleasant spot to do business in. When we visit you, is that what we'll get to use? What reading material will you provide? I happen to have seen the bathroom of Alfred North Whitehead and I'll have you know he had floor to ceiling bookshelves in there.

I have a question about the milk glass: Can people see you silhouetted there under the glare of your detail-enhancing halogen light, as you sit on the throne, or -- as with the post-Monica Bill -- you attend to unfinished business in the sink?

Tat: I knew what you were alluding to above. And I agree you should be paid. I wish I had the money.

If you don't want to give your professional expertise away for free, then, um, just don't.

Patrick, I don't mind give it for free every once and a while (didn't I do it here, too?); my friends and relatives know they can exploit me day or night, free of charge. (I also recall you were against repetitive requests for gratis advice, some time ago, no?)

It's that paradox that tickles me, occasionally: the better you are at your profession, the less worth it has in the eyes of the civilians. I'm sure I've experienced it, too, in your line of work: if you have the correct answer right away, it must be easy, rigt?

DD, I am paid, thank you much. I'm employed full-time, questions like yours take approximately .00025 of my billable hour, day after day. This place is my fun diversion - I thought you of all people understand it (I still seem to recall you said before you're architect - was it when you inquired about kitchen counters and I suggested you'd look into paint spec book in the office?)

Correction: "YOU have experienced it, in your line of work", not "I".

I don't want to get too caught up in a tit for tat spat, but I suppose I'd better try and clarify things a bit.

I agree with you, Tat, that what you offer here is valuable. It's quite true that people shouldn't take advantage of you. That wasn't my intention. I think the point at which you took umbrage was when I said "Since you are in the education business, perhaps you can find similar lamps -- but easily available in the U.S." That was a flip comment in response to your "mission is to educate the public" remark, *not* an attempt to get you to do my legwork for me. I wouldn't dream of doing that. My main hope when I post questions here is that somebody will happen to know the answer without having to do any special research. Mostly I take note of the answers, thank people, and move on. Occasionally, something will make more of an impression and I'll post a followup question or two. As P2 says, if anybody tires of my questions he/she can simply ignore them.

There's also the communal element of asking and answering questions. My question may well be one that others have -- a nice white lamp is not such a freakish thing to want -- and answers to it may help them, too. I know I've certainly benefitted on a number of occasions from answers to questions that I had but had not yet posted.

DD: no worries, as my British correspondent says.
I was just teasing you - till that darn flip remark of yours. RRRRRR[Russian "R" here]. I too like this site for it's joint effort and genuine desire to help out - and I got my own quiery answered, too.

Ask away, I like intelligent questions.


If you'd see the lamps I salivated over in Portugal last September...

curtis: i changed the setting.... oops... they're all public now :)
thanks for any ideas...
h

Design Dabbler:

How about this kind of lamp?

http://www.flos.com/singlelamp.jsp?back=67016&lamp=47972

I really don't know what you folks mean by a "sexy lamp"... because all I keep thinking of is that leg lamp from "A Christmas Story". Which wasn't sexy, but the husband sure thought it was.

What DOES make a lamp "sexy"? The Eva looks totally feminine compared to the T1 I linked above, which looks kinky/manly in the high gloss black. The matte black with the green lining looks "mod". The grey is more "industrial" and the white is just really shiny. ;)

but none look "sexy" to me. I guess I don't get it.

I worked with David from Davids Slipcovers in NYC.He is very professional and knows his trade.i highly recommend him. His number is 718 763 9249