apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I haven't seen Andree post in a while, or have I just missed it? Hope everything's ok.

Hey all - was on an American Airlines plane the other day, and their magazine had a small piece on favorite blogs -- AT was first on the list. Made me a bit ferklempt!

matilda- i am wondering also. i wanted some cd player audio help. i've searched archives but come up empty. i would like tivoli cd player and just wondering if anyone familiar with their stuff can explain what i need. i see they have a cd player w/o speakers. what is the most basic other piece(s) from tivoli to play just cds no radio necessary. i know nothing so question may seem like 'duh' to some, sorry.

is there an appropriate way to thank a building maintenance guy for doing a great job?

the shower in the apartment above mine has been leaking and last week we noticed a major crack/bumpy area forming in our ceiling. i went away and came back and it had gotten worse. so much worse, in fact, that a MUSHROOM had started growing out of the crack. disgusting, right? yesterday morning i called the building manager (he manages 3 buildings with about 20 units each) and he came over immediately and spent the entire day pulling the ceiling out, fixing the leak and re-drywalling and plastering. while he was at it, he noticed the hot water in our sink wasn't working well and fixed that too.

i know this is his job, and that's what he's supposed to do, but he just did a really great job and was incredibly professional and helpful. does anyone have any insight---is it appropriate to thank him with a small gift (fresh baked cookies or something?) or is that just weird? should i just wait and give him a thank you at the end of the year?

Megan - was it the building manager or a maintenance guy (super type person?) If it was the manager, I'd send a nice note. If it is a maintenance person, I'd give $$$ (maybe $20) and a sincere thanks.

Megan,

I'm all for thanking folks who help me out... Obviously, you were impressed by his work/responsiveness. I think a batch of homemade cookies could only brighten his day and show your appreciation. Just think -- the guy's job is to listen to and respond to complaints all day.. what a nice suprise it would be to receive some positive feedback for a change...

I think it is important to make your gratitude tangible in whatever way you end up deciding to be appropriate, because your gratitude will cement you in his mind as someone on whom his efforts are not wasted, and he'll be very willing to be responsive again, if need be.

It seems like there is a bit of a different expectation between building managers and maintenance folks, even if one used to be the other; it tends to be better when it's done (if it IS a tip) at the time and place as the help was given.

thanks everyone for your great advice! sorry, to clarify: he IS more of a super/maintenance guy than a building manager (i guess?). he is the guy to call when things are broken and need to be fixed, and he does some of the cleaning of common spaces, etc.
i don't really have a lot of extra cash to throw around (it's not a very nice building---which is why i was SUPER surprised at how great he was), so i think i'll go the cookie route.

thanks again!

Megan, the maintenance guy in my old building helped me jump start my car once (he was sweeping leaves and saw me struggling with a dead battery--I didn't call him for it!) and I gave him homemade cookies and a nice note. My landlord is the guy I call now, and I'm always sure to send a little note of thanks with my rent check when things are taken care of!

Hi! So here’s the thing: my living room is longer than it is wide and I wanted to split the space into two seating areas using something like the Pennington studio sofa from Room and Board (link in my name)… the problem is it’s too big. Any suggestions no where I can find something similar but less than 75 inches wide?

Another Home Depot fiasco. I was sold hardwood flooring instead of laminate, how do I best take care of this around the sink area?

Thanks,

Susan

Nisha - What about the Room&Board 'Paige' Chaise?

I'm assuming you've seen the "small-scale" sofas link on the Room/Board page?

At the last minute I've decided to spend the long weekend putting up some artwork and was wondering if anyone knew how good the picture ledges from West Elm are? I'm mostly concerned about their adherance to the wall since I've had problems with cheaply constructed floating shelves in the past! I like the versions at Room and Board but here in Philly we don't have a Room and Board and since I've left it to the last minute....

Thanks Jen. I actually started out looking for a chaise but then decided that a back less sofa is better since it can be used both as a chaise and a love seat.

And yes, I have looked at nearly everything on Room and Board. They have something that could work called Jasper but I prefer the stubby feet and flared arms of the Pennington so thought i’d check with AT.

Nisha - Have you looked at MitchellGold? Pricier than R&B but still within the stratosphere of normal...
http://www.mgandbw.com

Click my name to see the "CLIFTON" lounge. They have some other cool lounges listed under CHAIRS.

Otherwise - have you looked through OVERSTOCK.COM?

susan, can you elaborate please? Is anything installed already? Is this for a new job? Completely new floor? Why did you want laminate over hardwood? Did you consider engineered wood? What problem are you trying to solve around the sink? That of water damaging wooden floors?

We finally finished the landing strip portion of the Cure! It is going a litte slower than hope, but I think it turned out nice. Click on my name and let me know what do you think?

Thanks jamie pup,

I was sold "wood" by Home Depot, I still don't know if it is engineered or not. I wanted laminate because I thought it would be easier to maintain in the hall-kitchen area.

My main concern is having the "wood" flooring in the kitchen bacause of water spotting. The manufacturer, Traffic Master, makes it seem as if I have to be on the lookout 24/7 for water spotting. I am getting one area rug, it may go by the front door or by the sink.

The old vinyl was taken up (torched) and right now there is a flooring with tar on it.

Thanks,

Susan

Any new thoughts?

Susan -- water spotting? I have 100 year old hardwood floors, and I've never even heard of that. It sounds like you're getting something with a strange finish. You should really go to back to HomeDepot and ask, or look up the product name and see what google turns up.