apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Bookstore here in Thailand finally called and said my copy of AT: 8-Step Cure has arrived. Can't wait to read it and start with the next group cure on Oct. 1. :)

i bought a couch from Jennifer's Convertible (i know, i know, believe me, i know), the fabric is pilling pretty badly. is there anything to be done short of buying a new couch? is reupholstering pointless?

You could make a slip cover for it? Or if you're not that handy, then perhaps just chuck a throw on it?

Is the sofa a standard size where a store-bought basic non-icky slipcover would fit? If not, I'm with Jessica -- chuck a throw over it (or drape the throw elegantly over the most pilled bits). The throw will make you crazy with coming untucked, but by the time you want to use it to strangle the sofa manufacturer, the odds are good that you'll have chanced on a CL bargain sofa or a sample sale or some other find that makes life worth living. And the throw fabric will come in handy for some later project -- it always does.

Does anyone know how to make regular pine look more interesting? Maybe I am thinking of weathered barnwood, the grain of the wood stands up and looks very beautiful and textured when it is painted. I googled "raising wood grain" but it seems to be a technique for smoother sanding. I am fixing up a little pine cabinet that fits exactly into a space in my bathroom. The floor is brick and the tub and sink are old fixtures from a railroad hotel. Old looking without fake rustic is what I'd like

Did anyone notice Maxwell quoted in today's Daily News? Very cool! [Where might we find more photos? 304 sf ain't much!]

http://www.nydailynews.com/business/story/445204p-374913c.html