apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

i mean, " fold makes THEIR spreads... that ARE extra long"

god i hate that. sorry

-k

I had a heck of a time schlepping a daybed frame up four flights of stairs on Friday. The result is that the wood got pretty scraped up in places (down to bare wood), and some of the paint from the walls is now on the woodwork.

Does anyone have any suggestions for fixing it up that doesn't include completely stripping and refinishing the whole thing? Can I just sand the problem areas smooth, give the whole thing a light sanding, and use a some kind of polishing wax?

I don't want it to look brand new or anything, just not so banged up.

Has anyone used (or seen) the trig file cabinet from CB2:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=302&f=1979

How sturdy is it? How does it compare to Steelcase or Bisley

jamie pup, if you happen to be browsing this here open thread -

I would loooooove to see pics of your cheapie kitchen rehab that you mentioned - I think you said it was for your sister's rental?

My kitchen is in pretty poor condition, but I feel like I've spent enough money on this apartment (that I don't own) for this year.

Marm - Some larger home centers and hardware stores carry this sticks of sort of colored wax pencils in shades to match wood stain. You could pencil in the scrapes. The paint might be removed by VERY carefully, slowly scraping it with a fingernail or a straight razor blade.

Hey blues, I did look for that tape a couple of weeks ago and couldn't find it.

I was going to do the video upload thing instead of capturing stills from it because I think it gives a better sense of the space. However, after cataloging about 50 tapes I could not find this one. I think I may have taped over it by accident but I recently found a couple more tapes that I did not get to and I did not go through every minute on each tape so there may be hope yet.

I did date each tape though so I can go back to the time I did this reno and view each of those tapes all the way through. If I do find it I'll let you know via an OT and then upload it with that site that Maxwell wants us to use but escapes me right now.

This is a repost of an earlier question I asked just to see if catches anyone else's eye who can shed some light on this for me...


Anyone who's had first-hand experience w/ the quality, look, and durablility of Fold Bedding (www.foldbedding.com) comment on its overall value??? ... their stuff is very pricy- so i'm a bit hesitant

and all orders are custom, so no returns- i'd just like to know what some others have thought who have actually seen them in person- their seem to be no actual retailers here in NYC despite what the website says... neither NEST nor TAOliving carries it...

thanks.

-Kellen

Marm -
Minwax makes "Wood Finish Stain Markers" in most popular wood stain colors. Works just like a felt tip pen. They work great. I love 'um! They should be available at about any hardware/paint type store since Minwax is a major national brand.

-Kellen-

I have no direct experience with the Fold Bedding. It certainly LOOKS lovely on the website. It does look especially appropriate for the platform bed application. Is that the kind of bed you have?

What style(s) specifically were of interest to you? Perhaps I can look around and see if I can find something similar for much less.

There are two things that come to mind as potential drawbacks. One, I've just begun a "search and destroy" mission for the invasion of clothing moths. They got my Angora sweater. And my wool socks. Making them nothing but garbage.

Secondly, those raised seams are rarely comfortable to lie on. They're like that cording on the edges of upholstered furniture that seems to be designed to cut off circulation from the knee to your toes.

Andree- thanks for your willingness to help out...

reasons we're interested in the fold lines...

1- we have a very very small space for our full bed (not a platform, but a boxspring)- we're interested in the SLIM bedspread from Fold because it's thin and trim as opposed to a loft duvet, that would take up a TON of space if we were to go w/ something like Amenity or Area etc. you know?

2- also, Fold makes there spreads in a deep drop style that extra long (95" x 95") so it hangs to the floor even w/ a bed on a boxspring (like ours) and looks a bit more modern.

3- It's much more lightweight and won't be as warm as a down blanket and a duvet cover. our apartment is ridiculously hot, and the less stuff we have to cover up w/, better.

My biggest concern= I really just want to makes sure that the stuff lasts. It looks beautiful, but I want quality and durability as well as good looks.

thanks again.

-kellen

Okay, so here's a link to the style you like:
http://tinyurl.com/jltg9

Just in case someeone else comes along, they can go RIGHT to the page.

You want a lightweight bedspread, that covers the bed, goes to the floor. No stuffing, just flat, same on both sides. Obviously of a modern design, becasue a lightweight chenille bedspread with the fringe would cover the bed just as well, but wouldn't be the same style.

Note to self: Create modern chenille bedspreads.

You could seriously go for a woven blanket, in cotton, in a bedspread style. No matter what the cost or material, it's all going to snag or pull. Well, I have cats.

And, no matter how lightweight the wool is, unless it was very loosely woven, I think it would be too hot if you say you are already hot in your apartment. The Fold item might be swell for spring and autumn though.

How about this, for the hot summertime?:
http://tinyurl.com/jqs3z

I'm not saying it's going to last for YEARS. But it has a modern edge to it, it's in the currently fashionable colors, some of which appear similar to the ones at Fold. A bit larger in size (using the Queen size). It's washable cotton.

And if you really hate it, it's returnable.

I'm liking the top picture, but that bottom picture? Looks like an explosion of squares.

hello all. recently there was a set of links posted (i think by maxwell but maybe in one of the open threads) to good resources for wire management. i thought i bookmarked them but apparently i did not and the search function isn't helping. anyone remember what i'm talking about?

Rasil: Wire management gets discussed here off and on, hidden in this thread or that. It's part of the charm of this site that its clutter and
confusion violate the very principles for whch it stands.

Here are a couple of relevant threads:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-cable-management-002627

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-seal-up-the-open-shelves-003061

You can find others by Googling
site:www.apartment therapy.com wire management
etc.

jp, thanks - that sounds like an awful lot of trouble, though. Please only do this if you happen to be cataloging tapes anyway!

Meanwhile, I think my plan is to reface the cabinets (which are those 80s oak trim jobs, and in poor condition - the insides are fine). I'll have to make them myself - the sizes are no longer standard. I think the hinges will be the most expensive part of this. All praise to Ikea for cheap and stylish hardware!

And I need to find a new floor covering. Can anyone give me an idea of the cost of marmoleum? I love the colours and the wholesomeness of this product, but as I mentioned, I'm feeling like I've opened my wallet on this place A LOT this year. But it's such a small kitchen (floorspace is about 12 x 3), that it would be nice if I could get something other than bland vinyl sheet.

Of course, what I really want to do is rip out both kitchen and bathroom and start over, but although my rent is a very good deal, it's not that good a deal!

marm -

I just repaired a few scratches in a console I have using the minwax stain itself. It won't penetrate anywhere where the polish (which is probably polyurethane - this is recently manufactured piece) is, and it made the scratches fade away quite nicely. I have no idea if this is an approved method, but it worked for me.

dd, thanks -- i did search with google and it was my frustration that drove me to post. i think it was a list of maybe five links -- maybe in the slinks section? it was only a couple of weeks ago, but it's annoying me terribly that i can't find it again.

rasil,
This it?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-book/the-cure-week-55-getting-into-the-thick-of-it-008912#comments

Don't know if anyone will see this, but what are people's opinions on the financial district? my boyfriend and I are considering moving there but are not sure we want to live in a business district as opposed to a real neighborhood. Any experiences from people who've lived there?

Sharon, Windwolf, orig. blues,

Thanks for the tips. I think some of the scraping is too substantial for the wax crayon trick, but maybe I'll try that first, before doing anything more involved.

pixie, YES! thanks!

starbuckNYC-

perhaps the financial district will develop into a real neighborhood within the next ten years, but you're definitely right- it's certainly a business district ONLY right now that completely shuts down once the wall-streeters head home.

current rent incentives may be enough (or relatively good sales deals on high-rise office conversions if you're buying) to bring you down there, but I would recommend against it if you are looking for any sort of a neighborhood feel at all- simply because it isn't there yet.

disadvantages to living there-

you have to leave your "neighborhood" to pretty much do anything, and it takes quite a while to get anywhere- shopping (outside of century 21) is non-existant, restaurants and good bars are skimpy (but it's kinda close to tribeca & soho i guess), art/culture/music/theater- nothing doing down there, tourists run wild on the weekends & holidays obviously, you're near the south-street seaport (which I consider a bad thing), the construction @ and around the WTC site is just painful (eyesore, dirty/dusty, loud, etc), very little to no green-streets (but you do have battery park), and very small chance you'll get good light in the apartment unless you're way way up in a highrise because of the cavern-like building-block set-up of buildings on top of buildings.

there are advantages however- it's very quiet, relaxed, and peaceful after hours (however some people feel it's too dead & can feel unsafe- tho I've never felt so). it's relatively clean b/c of better waste management than some areas of the city= e.g. east village, central village, flatiron dist (even), and murray hill/kips bay. you're near the water, you have the path off west st to run/skate/bike on, you're near trinity church, you'll be near the new transportation hub if you stay long enough, and maybe even the calatrava tower of condo townhouse blocks (???), you're near city hall and the brooklyn bridge, and you're removed from the hustle of the rest of the city once you go home (it's almost like not being in Manhattan at all- more like downtown Chicago- kind of suburban-ish to a fault however).

so- those are the good and bad... for me, i wouldn't recommend living down there when there are so many other options that have better things to offer in Manhattan (or brooklyn for that matter), but you have to weigh the +/- for yourself i suppose.

anyone else?

-k

Okay, um... need some opinions.

Kramfors... yay or nay?

Oh, Kellen & StarbuckNYC, just read your posts...

I go to school at night in the WTC area and it definitely does NOT feel like just a business district anymore. Late 90s, I used to work in the WTC and it was desolate when I left work around 6 or 7-ish, or later after drinks at Windows on the World. We used to have to go to Soho to find anything going on. Not anymore! Young people, older folks, families, students, people walking dogs, pushing strollers, lots of tourists, new businesses, some really great restaurants unexpectedly tucked away in the narrow streets. Tribeca seems to be full of life all hours. When I started school down there, I was afraid I'd find deserted streets at night, so it's been a pleasant surprise - sometimes I feel like I'm in the Village. There are always people going in and out of the health club on Murray Street (is that Equinox?) and it's safe to walk through City Hall Park. Around 10pm-ish, it's full of people and pretty lit up. Chambers Street is very quiet but still safe, because of the new dance studio that just opened and all productions being filmed or taped at night. Said hello to Jesse L. Martin just a few weeks ago while they were shooting Law & Order at the Surrogates Court bldg, and Spiderman 3 is shooting in front of the Courthouses now ('til tomorrow).

Like anywhere in NYC, you must be aware of your surroundings, but the area is becoming so full of life, so revitalized, it's truly exciting! They just created a great little park right behind Church Street Station (P.O.) next to the WTC site. If I didn't have such a great deal where I am, I'd definitely consider moving down to the financial district. Just about every train goes there, too.

-Kellen-

Was the matelassé so bad you couldn't even reply? ;)

There are some more styles at Linen Source:
http://tinyurl.com/e82av

The ones that are two-tone, it's easy to see the designs, and they are probably NOT what you wanted (mostly botanical/floral). You can probably skip over the ones with scalloped edges too.

Look at the ones that you can barely see the design on, the solid colors, and look then at the enlarged and zoom in options. Some are rather abstract, like the Metro and Newgrange. Could be very attractive in the right setting.

Here's Newgrange, comes in coverlet and bedspread:
http://tinyurl.com/pej9u

Sheets that will work:
http://tinyurl.com/mkj4x

Many of the sheet colors are backordered. Percale is far cooler than sateen weaves for summer. Lower thread counts are much cooler, due to their more open weave, but many folks just won't buy lower thread counts, no matter how hot it is. Hah!

You have a gazillion color combo options for bedspread and sheets, from Black and White to Taupe and Oceanside. Aqua and Linen. Curry and Plum. White and Newport Blue.

And, for the same price as you would pay for Fold, you could have two bedspreads and two sets of sheets.

I really don't know what is considered the "lifespan" of bedspreads. Sheets can last for years. Unless you have cats that seem to think the comforter hanging over the side of the bed is soooo interesting that they must attack the sheets underneath the overhang.

The coverlets/bedspreads could last for years. All you need do is browse eBay to find vintage textiles to see things that are 40-50 years old and doing fine. Those items were well cared for.

Alas, people like me, who end up with restless legs, thrash around in bed so much the poor seams can't withstand it. That Fold bedspread would last less than a week with me thrashing under it. I'm not kidding. That is the "oops" expectancy period for me, during which time I'll tug, pull, and thrash and eventually will hear the inevitable popping of broken threads. The Fold bedspread would look like crap if some of the raised parts started collapsing due to thread breakage.

I know you specifically stated that you wanted something of quality that would last a long time. No matter what the cost, they can't gaurantee something when someone has personal habits detrimental to the item, like me and my thrashing.

You could try out wool as an option by zipping down to your nearest thrift store, finding a lightweight sweater and try wearing it to bed. If it's too hot, you've saved yourself an expensive, custom-made, non-returnable mistake.

Let me know if the matelassé is suitable at all for your bedroom decor. I can still keep looking.

-Kellen-

If you like the black and white idea, there are also some neat cushion covers at IKEA, like this pair:
http://tinyurl.com/nvdak

Click on the enlarge image to see that the black has some kind of tuxedo/stripe kind of thing. There's also a swirly white on black and a squiggly black on white cushion cover.

You can have circle overload, add in white circle curtains on a black rod: http://tinyurl.com/o5dqq

I better stop. I was looking at more curtains and about to head over to rugs and then art and maybe pick out a paint color too. Some people here get so mad at me for offering lots of suggestions and taking up space.

Andree, just curious, but why are you trying to talk Kellen out of Fold bedding without having any idea about the quality of that bedding? Maybe that's why no response.

You naysayers who mocked the chinese knockoff leather sofas: it has been 2 months and they seem to be holding up well. As a reminder, I sent over pictures of a Natuzi (i know i'm spelling it wrong) leather sofa sectional system that I liked - which costs $8,500 in SOHO - and the chinese did a perfect knockoff for about $3,200 including shipping. This for a chaise, sofa, armchair and large ottoman in italian white leather. not that it indicates anything but recent guests to the hellhole have commented on how nice and comfortable it is.

in any case, and from conversations with furniture distributors, it is my view that the quality of chinese furniture manufacturing is already sharply better than it was even two years ago

Hey dIANE, you make some good points but the financial district that Kellen is talking about is more like the wall st area rather than the southern tribeca and city hall area you are talking about. Officially tribeca goes as far east as Broadway and as far south as Park Place so even city hall could be included as part of tribeca and many RE agents will tell you exactly that - I don't think it feels at all like tribeca though.

Other ppl include battery park city also when they talk about the financial district and with the world financial center being on the west side of the west side highway with the rest of BPC I can see why but again, it is very different from the canyons of wall st et al.

So starbucknyc, if you are talking about the area that kellen is talking about, then kellen is absolutley right. However, a lot of families are moving there now due to family geared new construction (in terms of apt size) and the area will rapidly change in the next 5 years.

BTW, opponunax (sp?) was talking about the wilderness that was tribeca so I thought it was kinda ironic that a recent NY Sun article (that I saw linked from curbed.com) called it triburbia:
http://www.nysun.com/article/34220?page_no=1

Everything I said about it being family oriented and that you get to know tons of ppl in the hood is reiterated in that article.

Andree-

Wow! So much information and input. I really appreciate all the work (you won't find me getting upset with all the suggestions/space/etc). Sorry for the slow response, the Financial Dist question kinda distracted me, and then I needed to take some time to digest all the information and stuff you provided.

Honestly, I still can't get over the design of the Fold Bedding- i love it, love it, love it- and while the matelasse/coverlets you suggested are definitely nice, I really like the striking verticle lines of the Slim spread and shams and stitching of the entire Fold line-up.

So, after a little shopping around yesterday, this is where I'm at now- I spoke to a guy in Brooklyn at a design place on 7th Ave yesterday who was able to give me some feedback on the Fold stuff after I was able to inspect one of the wool pillows- really nice, well-made, soft (but sturdy) high-quality stuff. He highly recommended them and said that their stuff ages well. So, that's a plus.

And, while I don't think it will last for years and years and years like i might like it to, it will hold up if we care for it like we care for the rest of our furnishings/housewares. E.g.= we've got a bright white cotton twill sofa and armchair that we've had for 2 years that still looks nearly brand new after heavy use. If we care for the Fold stuff, i feel that it will hold up well.

So, seeing as how I can't get the overall design, the extra-long drop w/ rounded corners cut, and how it will look in our apartment out of my head, and the fact that I got an incredibly strong endorsement from the owner of a design shop here in Bklyn, I think we're gonna go for it.

Thanks for all the input Andree- I'll be sure to let everyone know how it turns out.

-kellen

Okay, I have two questions. First, does anyone have those leaning ladder type shelf/desk units? The kind that lean up against a wall but don't have back legs for support? Such as: http://stacksandstacks.com/html/9000_ladder-office-system-computer-desk-storage-shelves-bookcase.htm

If so, how sturdy are they, how much weight can they hold, and has any of them come crashing down (with monitor, books, etc)???

Also, I am looking for opinions on the IKEA Kramfors leather sofa. Whatever feedback you have is appreciated - Thanks!

jamie pup -- your comment i think hits the nail on the head for me in terms of tribeca as well as the financial district. i work on desbrosses street, which is at the very northern stretch of the neighborhood and i think is considered by some to be its own thing. it's still pretty desolate there, especially in terms of what i'd consider vital neighborhood infrastructure. the more southerly part of that area is much more hospitable.

also it's possible that we have different tastes in what a 'hospitable neighborhood' is -- i'd move to bed stuy or woodside in a heartbeat. you probably wouldn't. so i just wanted to sorta concede on the tribeca point.

-Kellen-

Thanks for letting me know! Appreciate it. It's definitely a unique style that isn't everywhere. Because I did some looking (if I do find something else that is STUPENDOUS, I'll post it for you).

Again, if it turns out to be too hot, you know where else to go to get something to tide you over until cooler months. Or just turn up the a/c and use wool all year round. Hah!

Ahhh, I started looking around for better prices. It's wool flannel. They didn't say that on the other site. So it should be soft!

http://tinyurl.com/r85oy

And you have my admiration. Bright white staying bright white for years? I'm trying to imagine how that would be possible for me? Maybe a decontamination chamber right inside the front door after I've been out in the woods.

Actually, that's not a bad idea. I've had to strip down as soon as I come in if the skunk lets off a little something. Not spraying, just exposing their scent glands is enough to "fragrance" my clothing. And they aren't doing it at me, they're doing it at other critters. I can pet and scratch on of them that I've been caring for since it had an injured leg.

If you can take a couple pictures of your new bedding, that would be GREAT! I like to see REAL pictures of the products in use. Not some mock up photo in a catalog.

Patrick, the design is attractive. However, when -Kellen- says "our apartment is ridiculously hot", my first thought isn't "wool flannel is the solution". ;)

Oh. I did not get that at all from your post, or why you set out on such an exhaustive search.

Kellen: I'd also like to hear how your new bedspread works out. I understand your enthusiasm. The Fold stuff is stunning.

I assume you have no pets. I'm not sure the bedding would do well with cats.

I'll be sure to post pics once everything gets set up w/ our new bedroom. And, no we don't have any pets, and while the wool is the coolest possible thing- it will certainly be better than a high-lofty-fill down comforter and duvet cover.

thanks for all the input.

-kellen

It's not exhaustive to me. It's never JUST a bedspread. It's a WHOLE ROOM. If you've ever looked at the Flickr stuff I've done (some of which are still up), you'll see that I'm rarely content with just a suggestion of a couple words. Nope, I gotta do the WHOLE ROOM. I have to SEE it in picture form. I have to actually FIND objects that currently EXIST.

Josh's Man-Bath, the art exists, and that's where the colors came from to go with the pink. The mirror in that style exists, but I didn't use a link. The shower curtain exists and I did post a link. The cabinet would have to be custom made.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96179754@N00/

Glenn at Fliperati.com was asking about his kitchen walls here on AT. I wasn't content with just that one question. He worried about the small room. I redid the room. Check out the before picture at his site and then the after that I made.

It's not very good, but seeing it WORKS for me. The chair exists, the window covering exists, the rug exists.

The "redhall" picture, that was from AT-Chicago. Sera looking for a hall runner. Never thought about how it would look with the art she already planned to hang in the hall. She uploaded a picture of the hall, I hand drew in her art and the rug she liked. She loved it.

I have to see it. I have to use things that exist. I hate it when magazines feature a room and nobody knows where to get the stuff. So when I do something, I like to provide links to everything. EVERYTHING. So whomever asked the question has a WHOLE ROOM of things to play with, and that might inspire them to go off in another direction than they originally considered.

I think they LIED on the whole bean coffee that said "Decaf" that I mixed with regular French Roast. I've been up since 11 pm last night.

It's exhausting... er, I mean *exhaustive* to me.

what the hell went on over @ open thread 220 that got it shut down? out of the loop, wasn't reading today...

-kellen

i mean ot #221, THIS is 220

-k

-K-

I have no idea. I took some cold medicine and went back to bed. All the messages are gone. I don't know if they're gone for good, or just "on vacation" somewhere and then a switch can be flipped to make them come back again.

Last thing I remember before starting to fall into the keyboard was writing about textile manufacturing brands. There was discussion on ladder bookcases and a leather sofa.

So which of the colors are you liking the most for the Fold Slim bedding? Say, do ya think it would make me look slimmer if I slept under that bedspread? It's got the stripes to "lengthen the body". ;)

What other things do you have in your room? The Onion one would go great with all those gourd/belly lamps that are out, as well as many hanging lamps like simple sphere paper ones.

I tend to get toooooo matchy-matchy, which ends up looking dull and lifeless. Or chaotic (sort of what I thought of the all-squares room).

Do you have other things to use with the fab new bedding? Like other bedding, sheets? Rugs, lamps, art, window dressings? Is this a whole room redo?

Ohhh, I didn't realize that the stripes were on one side only. I thought they were in the middle. Good, lounging can be done on the non-stripe side. ;)

Those are all the "trendy" colors, for the most part. Brown/orange, Blue/brown, etc. Screaming green. I like plum with chartreuse, you could do the plum with bright green sheets.

By the way, you don't have to fill a duvet cover with a duvet. I've used JUST the cover (nothing inside) as a coverlet in hotter months.

That gives you even more options! If you're out and spot a great duvet cover, you CAN use it in summer, just don't fill it. It sits nice and flat on your bed.

Update from Open Thread 208-

The art hanging system by the simply named "Art Supplies" company arrived yesterday. We have to wait until the painting is done to install it.

http://www.arts-supplies.net/(S(xu1ywd45mxyrdmv3ap1okp55))/shop/ShopLine.aspx?L=C

It claims to be used by Queens College, the French Embassy in Washington to the offices of the Wall Street Journal among others. The whole thing, including shipping was only about $250. can't beat the price.

I'll update when I have it in place. Let you know if everything stays up on the walls or come crashing down.

It looks as though, whatever happened on Open Thread 221 has caused the death of the open thread.

Anyone know of a carpenter who can make some simple wooden cube storage tables that would cost much less for a lot less than these:

http://www.popsfurniture.com/ey1100a.html

They're over $200 for just one cube! I asked, to make sure. Target sells a cheaper quality tapered version for $60 apiece, which got some reviews saying they were junky. I am hoping to get two for a better price. One would think a lidded cube would be simple, easy, and inexpensive!