apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Any one have any experience with West Elm daybeds? In particular, these two:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODp054&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNSOF&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNSOF

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf293&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNSOF&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNSOF

I realize the general impression of West Elm is that everything they sell is crap, but one of these would solve some problems for me, and I can't find anything in the same style anywhere else. I don't expect an heirloom, but a few years of moderate, non-kid use would be good.

Any suggestions on better substitutes is also appreciated.

Anyone go to the DWR annex sale in NY?

Sorry I meant ..in NJ

Can anyone recommend a good custom cabinetry company or builder?
I have an 88" wall that I would like to have a custom built in made to accomodate a home office/buffet/display case/bookshelf arrangement. It would need to fill multiple purposes, so most of the modular stuff I have seen doesn't seem to fulfill the need. I have a moderate budget, but wanted real wood, not laminate.

Any suggestions?

Sorry Shari I can't help you. But IMO - custom, real wood and moderate budget don't come together in one place... That's from experience trying just to buy kitchen cabinets from HD.

Shari: You might look into Knossos Cabinetry on Sixth Avenue, I think at around 15th or 16th Street. You'll get real wood, and you can control the budget by choosing the amount of detail you include or don't include (i.e., molding and trim, etc.) I'm happy with the bookcases and CD cabinet I had them build for me about 8 years ago (but I did have to keep the windows open in my apartment for a couple weeks when the furniture was new)!

Has anyone had experience with FLOR tiles? I think they could be a good solution to my rug dilemmas, but whether they easily stay glued together or become a tripping hazard? I'm also curious how they feel underfoot--plush, threadbare, etc?

Thanks!

Ok so I am getting a closet and shelves built in my closet-less bedroom and decided I couldn't afford doors and I hate the prefab louvre doors (also don't really have room for things that pop out). I was wondering about making my own sliding doors, maybe with a wooden frame and fabric streched over it, or plexiglass on a wooden frame with rice paper on on the outside...does anyone have any suggestions? I remember someone on AT had made a plexiglass bathroom door that slid open and it looked great but I can't seem to find it now. Any suggestions?

I went to the DWR sale Sunday. It was okay - not much lighting or accessories, but LOTS of chairs.
I was looking for a rug and found one I liked. But they were out of the size I wanted. =(

I have a first floor apartment, and my front door opens directly out into the world. Other first floor people in my complex have wreaths, signs, etc on their doors but I can't find anything that doesn't scream "old lady" to me.

Can anyone recommend a company that sells interesting front door decoration? Thanks!!

Can anyone help me find the impossible? I'm looking for a very shallow (less than 10 or 11 inches) cabinet for my new bathroom. I need it to be white or frosted glass/metal. I found something that looked about right in the December issue of Home magazine, but it didn't list the maker. I'd prefer it to sit on the floor.

Strange coincidence: When I mentioned my problem to staff member at Jonathan Adler today, he suggested I have something made at Konossos. I guess that's two votes for them!

srr-

IKEA had exactly what you are describing. For some reason I can't seem to find it in their '07 catalog.

srr, can you give more info, like how high or wide?

Here's the VATTERN series at IKEA:
http://tinyurl.com/y2yxeu

There are all kinds of door options. Including frosted glass and metal. And you can add legs. You can configure it the way you want it to be, via drawers, doors, etc.

The high cabinet is 11 3/4 inches deep.

This is probably what Lori 2 is thinking of, the Vattern series.