apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Just posted on AT Chicago, but thought I'd throw it out here: We've just moved to a suburb of Chicago and have finally decided to give away my grandmother's stuffy dining room furniture for something modern and simple. Has anyone had experience with CB2's Envelope dining table? Specifically, will the finish hold up well with a very messy two-year-old? We also considered Blu Dot's Strut, but I think something with leaves would be more functional for our space and needs. Suggestions? Thanks!

I Scored 6 Thonet chairs similar to these, but with black seats and backs, I did some googlin' but couldn't find much info on them. Can anyone help a brother out? They are bent layered plywood with a resin/plastic seat and back. They are a little dirty, but no major damage is evident, they are very sturdy. The guy I bought them from said he got them from a church. Oh yeah, all six cost me a whopping 40 bucks!
link to more pictures : http://www.victorlua.com/?p=34

ps. I did see a writeup by maxwell on a similar find, but I think his were all wood.

maxwells post : http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/scavenger/scavenger-new-thonet-chairs-for-100-001623

A few months ago there was a post on one of the AT sites (OK, maybe design*sponge) of vases. They were dark wood, sturdy geometric shapes and, most importantly, super cheap. Can anyone jog my memory as to who sold them or at least when/where I might have seen them? I have gone cross-eyed looking through archives and can't seem to locate the post. Thanks!

www.modenza.co.uk is under construction. What's the deal?

I'll be in London June 15, 16, and 17. Anybody have any suggestions for some cool design things (expos, openings or stores) I should go to? I heard the Tate Modern maybe worth it....

Chris, the Tate Modern is fantastic.

The Saatchi museum is fun, too. You can't miss it; it's right by the London Eye (that whopping ferris wheel).

Most museums are free or cheap, so take advantage.

I always look at all of the furniture in Harrod's too, for sheer over-the-topness.

To the person who was looking for affordable silk drapes...The Company Store catalog has some. Check it out!

Does anyone have any experience with Downtown Furnture? On their website they have fairly reasonable and very attractive futons...much more interesting than what I've spotted at IKEA.

Abbe, don't have advice but want you to know that your post was a revelation for me and I will be buying the envelope table for sure. Best table I've seen for its purpose (and price) and I've been looking, as I'm moving in 22 days (you'd count too, if you were escaping JC)...

Chris,

Yes - definitely go to the Tate Modern. You should approach over the walking (Millenium) bridge - it's a very majestic journey. Catch the tube to St Paul's and you just need to walk around the church towards the Thames.

Also, I really like the Design Museum, but this is possibly because I'm stalking Sir Conran. And also because that whole area of converted warehouses for $$$$ is very, very nice. When you leave the museum, definitely keep walking down the river (ie, away from the city) and you'll see all a really nice 'suburb' of converted warehouses that just sit in the Thames and have canals for streets. Very pretty.

I really, really like Canary Wharf as well. It's a surreal metropolis because everything is so new and incredibly clean (you could eat off the streets). Also lots of water everywhere.

Go to the Conran shop on Marylebone High. Great shop. Then the restaurant above (Orrery) is great. V. expensive, but if you go on Sunday night it has a fixed price menu for 35 pounds (usually their menus are 100 pounds +). Will probably have availability.

Have fun!

Valerie & Jessica,

Thanks for the London advice. Better than Frommers!

Chris

Hi YCH
Regarding modenza.co.uk, I have contacted them by phone for you to find out if they are still operating.
They told me "Yes, very much so". But due to such an unexpectedly high response,they have had to "re-jig" a few things to cope more effeciently with demand.New suppliers added to their ranges incl, bonaldo,varaschin,poliform,kristalia and calligaris.The store will re-open 1st September.