apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

To London-based Meg looking for canvas NYC prints:

Have you looked at the UK company 55Max? They have some NYC prints under the contemporary category; I especially like the super-saturated color photos from Amelia Lancaster. And you can choose to have the photo printed on canvas (or acrylic, which I really dig).

http://www.55max.com/categories.asp?catid=3

Hope this helps!

Hi everyone! I was wondering what you all think about rugs on top of carpet. My new apartment has wall-to-wall beige carpeting throughout, and I was hoping to use rugs to define sitting areas and make it more interesting. is it okay to put a rug on top of carpet? or is that uncool or ugly (i'm having a hard time imagining it)? thanks!!!

I vote yes on rugs on top of carpet. Just remember to use the kind of underlay designed especially for that application.

Karina thanks so much for the link! They have some great stuff there.

Ruth, if you check out the decor8 blog she interviews an interior decorator/stylist who talks about creating colour in a rental when it's beige carpeting/white walls and she talks about rugs on carpet there as well. It's right near the top of the blog.

Wende in SF, is Marva and Brian's Cure over? Last entry I saw was about the "stark raving bathroom..."

Bubble -- It's not over, but it got sidetracked by the discovery that I'm out of green translucent bubbly paper. (Where on earth did I get it?) And the Orchid build is a team project, so I had to start it as soon as the kit arrived.

The time has come, the walrus said, to put a leaf in the dining table so I have enough workspace for both projects. Also to do more shopping for supplies.

Oh, and I'm with Patrick on putting a rug over wall-to-wall carpet. The sort of wtw carpet that one *wants* to put a rug over is such a neutral background that there's nothing odd to notice.

Missed the discussion of the IKEA bookshelves yesterday. I have had som Billy bookcases for awhile now (2 tall ones for 2 years and 1 shorter one for about 5 years). They've pretty much always been overstuffed with books and I've had no problem with shelves bending or anything like that. Since they're an IKEA staple, you won't have to worry about not being able to get more in the future, although the coloured ones do change. I also have some Agerum bookshelves which I just got a couple months ago and I love them so far. Click my name for a picture.

Hey guys will try this again:
We have two dressers -Drexel, 1960's walnut. We love them but never know what kind of bed and night tables to put with them??We didn't like the look of walnut tables we originally had-too matchy. We have a white canvas padded headboard right now. If we started over with a new bed (platform)I am not sure what wood would do!
Any suggestions and many thanks.


Posted by cheesedanish at 08/07/06 12:54 PM

I have a NY real estate question. As a renter, what can I do about a completely inept super? He has lost the key to my apartment repeatedly, doesn't seem to know how to fix anything and is constantly drunk.

I can't afford to move and like my apartment, but the landlord is impossible to reach, and continues to employ this man despite his awful service.

A potted plant sitting on my wooden dresser leaked and now there's a big water ring where the plant used to be. Is there a way to get rid of the water ring, other than refinishing the dresser?

Does anyone remember a house tour not too long ago where there was a table (perpendicular to the kitchen) that slid across the counter on ball bearings? I can't seem to find it under the house tours archive. I believe it was a renovated co-op in NYC - they had a fake fireplace put in (if my memory serves me correctly) . . . anyway, I think sliding table/counter woudl be perfect for my new place so very keen to check out the pics again - any help much appreciated - thanks

Hello all,
In the current Dwell issue ("Eco-Friendly"), there is a Rug Company ad in the early pages (I believe a few pages after the table of contents). In the ad, there is a very cool end/side table that looks quite similar to the Rolly table currently being sold at DWR and Umbra but the legs are set more on an angle. Can anyone source this table? (Sorry, I don't have a link to the print ad!)

Matt

Cheesedanish,
I don't understand your question. Are you asking what type or color of wood finish would go with the walnut, or what style would go? Perhaps pictures would help.

Bubble, there is a product called Howard Restor-A-Finish that might work.

Cheesedanish, we need pictures.

Ruth,

I have a dark brown jute rug on top of some horrible previous-owner-abused beige carpet in my home office. If I had the energy and money to get someone to rip out the old carpet and put hardwood floors down that would be my first choice but the rug really helps make the room in the meantime.

Couch Indecision

I'm redoing my place completely. It's a good thing it's small (400 sq ft) or I'd drive myself nuts with indecision. My first hurdle is the couch. I have a really nice teak frame with six cushions, but the cushions are drab wool. It would need new cushions which might cost around $900 depending on how much fabric costs. (I've found an upholster in Red Hook who will charge $450 for the labor).

Problem is I can't decide whether or not to keep it or move on ... I like it a lot but I don't LOVE it. Is it necesarry to LOVE your couch?

I have had a rug over carpet in the past and am looking for a rug now to do it again. I say go for it.

Janice and ...,Really sorry about no pictures but, ah, umm, can you give me a how to on that as well. I don't know how to link pics to my name. That said, maybe more clarification will help: the white padded headboard looks fine and currently we have some random night stands. I want to pull the whole look together and would like a platform bed. When we look at them (Atlantico or Room and Board) I am not sure what color wood (for the bed and night stands) would go with the walnut already in the room. Even if I find a bed with no wood showing (where is that anyway) we still need something clean and functional for the side light,etc. Sorry for the not great computer skills.

Laura -- It's not necessary to LOVE your couch. With a couch in hand and a prospective $900 reupholstering bill, what's important is that you have a good enough relationship with your couch that you don't want to leave it for some hot new $1500 number that already has upholstery you like. (Also that you're not eyeing Craig's List to set up a Casual Encounter with a really chic used couch that costs less than $900 and promises no-strings gratification.)

Hey SJ, it was this one
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/look/look-great-email-from-dave-melissa-010338

But this one also had a nice pivoting table:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2006-entries/29-john-and-tups-studio-loft-007175
It was also featured in a recent SSBS on HGTV

Wende,

Can I just say that I laughed out loud at that last post? My problem with redecorating is that I am easily swayed like that.

Thanks for putting things into perspective for me, Wende. I guess I really need to figure out how involved I want to be with this couch ... And I am still looking for couches on CL, which probably means I'm not as committed as I should be.

Laura--

I am a romantic.
Hold out for LOVE.

(But reupholstering the "like" may turn it to "love"!)

drab wool on a teak frame sounds nice to me... what color drab wool? oh, if only I were closer to NYC - we could trade couches (maybe) - but I'm in Canada, and my sled dogs abuse my couch too much anyway, so we have to cover the one we have with a flannel sheet, and wait for some day when they are trained and won't abuse the couch any more before we can get one that we really really LOVE.

angelune, i like the idea of trading. click on my name to see a pic of my drab couch ...

patrick: do you believe in love at first sight? can one really grow to love a couch that was never quite right in some inexplicable way? or am i just asking too much of furniture?