apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi everyone, my place has high ceilings and in fact, I believe I have more vertical space than horizontal. What's a good way to accentuate high ceilings so I can make the most out of them architecturally?

Hey all. I know we're a few months away from AT's bedroom month, but wanted to pass along a great 20% off deal on the W Hotel bed. In addition to the 20% off discount, they're including free white glove delivery (and not charging sales tax, if taking delivery outside of NY state). 3 DAY delivery in NY Metro Area, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Orlando and DC Metro Area. To take advantage of the discount enter the promo code D8U3X at checkout; or mention the code if you phone in the order. 1-800-Mattress processes all of the bed orders... Also, the 20% is good on all home purchases through the W Hotels Store website through 12/12. Their stock includes their own line of beddings, Bliss, Kartell, Jonathan Adler, Suck UK, etc. (But deals on everything except the bed do not include free delivery; so savings aren't as substantial on this merch.) And, yes, I did purchase a mattress... Details here: http://www.whotelsthestore.com/category.asp?curr_cat_id=2

I'm freezing!

Seattle (and western WA) has been hit with an unusual cold snap and my tiny wall-unit electric heater isn't keeping my very small studio warm. I decided to bake a cranberry bundt cake to add a little heat (with the bonus of a cake).

Any suggestions for an economical, efficient space heater? I can't get out on the icy roads and sidewalks today, but as soon as things that out, I need to get some sort of portable heating unit.

Thanks!

as soon as thing "thaw" (not "that") out

cold fingers = bad typing, at least that the excuse I'm using for now....

smog-eating titanium covered Richard Meier building in today's NYT . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/world/europe/28smog.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

hola enrique!!

Can someone please put the dirt-eating-titanium on tile for my bathroom?

Libby, a favorite space heater around here is an oil-filled thing that looks like an old-fashioned radiator. It's on wheels, so you can take it with you from room to room. Because it radiates heat, it's very cozy, but can take a little time to get up to temperature. Click on my name for a link.

I second Michelle. I use one of those plug-in oil filled radiator type heaters in our drafty and freezing bedroom. Works really well. I like it that it's radiant instead of a blower. I turn it on about an hour before bedtime to really heat up the room (it goes from 56 F to 61 or 62 F in one hour for a 10 x 10 ft room).

regards,
trillium

Thanks - I was leaning toward one of those oil filled radiant heaters, too. I like the idea of a slow, steady heating system rather than those with fans that give a choice of heat or no heat but nothing in the middle range.

When I moved into my teeny tiny studio loft over the summer, the appeal of an old building, high ceilings, and big old windows made my heart take over. Unfortunately, my mind should have stepped in and said, "uhmmm... and what about winter?" Ah, the romance of old buildings....

We've found that the 3M Window insulation stuff works great for making the bedroom a little cozier too. If you do it carefully it looks ok, but still a little like someone stretched clear and tight saran wrap over your windows. I do love the way you use a hair dryer to get rid of wrinkles and make it look smooth. It's not very cat friendly, our resident monster shredded some areas, so we cover them up with packing tape. It's not my favorite look, but it keeps us warmer!

regards,
trillium

Those small portable radiator looking heaters are great for small-ish size rooms, such as bedrooms. For larger rooms, though, nothing beats the vornado.

I had the same problem last year with my cat shredding the 3M insulating plastic. This year, I'm going to try the additional step of cutting a sheet of acrylic (from Home Depot) to size and covering the plastic with it.

I'm finding interesting ideas from others fighting chilly weather. Some DIY show this morning (it was too icy to go to work - yea!) was showing how to make those hot pack things as gifts. I raided the dry rice in the kitchen, stuffed it in a cloth bag, tied off the top and have been heating it up every so often in the microwave. Portable heat - ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Libby:

I couldn't make the link to the space heater recommended above to work, but I posted the same question here last year. I got a DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator and it's fabulous: heats like a dream and doesn't make any noise. It works equally well my 10 x 18 living room and in my 14 x 14 bedroom.

If you click on the URL link in the signature, you will find a model similar to mine. In case the link fails to work, you can google for the Delonghi TRD0715T Safe Heat Oil-Filled Radiator.

Best of luck and warmth,
Terry

know what you mean about tall ceilings and small rooms -- mine are 13 feet high, but 11 wide. sometimes I feel like I'm living in a tunnel (the light at the end of which is actually the lamp post outside my window).

I hung paintings and textiles and stuff up to the 11 foot mark on mine. vertical storage is a good idea as well. sconces -- you've got more wall space than floor space for lamps or tables with lamps -- wall-mounted TV.

I'm sure the professional designers will weigh in on this, but whatever you do don't put up lots of little stuff. you need a few big items that address the full size of the wall and anchor anything else you may put on it.

I use a very low-tech method to stay warm when sitting for any period of time - hot water bottles. I got a couple a few years ago (very cheap) and they work beautifully, for many (usually well over 8 hours) without a re-fill of hot water. They are also a great way to warm up the sheets.

I haven't broken them out yet this year since my new Apple MacBook throws off enough heat to require something fairly thick between my legs and the machine to keep from scorching my skin.

I use oil filled heaters in a few drafty rooms of my house. I also don't like hot(or cold) air blowing on me.
My mom uses a heated mattress cover in the winter. she puts it on about an hour before bedtime and shuts it off before she goes to sleep.

Hey All-

Remember Dixie's apartment from the smallest coolest contest (with 183 comments)?
http://tinyurl.com/yfc2gq

She is in this week's New York Magazine.

Link is at my name...

Looking for a space saving toaster?

I found this on Core77... to die for:

Studio Bullitts : Jaren Goh's Rollertoaster
http://www.core77.com/blog/images/bullitts_rtoast.jpg

Read more here:
http://www.jarengoh.com/

What I want to know is, can it be wall hung?


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I need advice on entertaining in a very small apartment. I would like ot have a dinner party but space is an issue. I have a high rectangular table in the kitchen that can seat six at most, with bar stools. But I think it would be nicer to eat in the living room, perhaps bring the table in there. Otherwise make the kitchen more cozy, since it has ugly fluorescent lighting. Has anyone found any helpful tricks or objects?

Do you know anyone?

We are a young professional couple looking for an interior designer who can help us pull our first (owned) apartment together.

What we need: Someone to pull together a finished apartment; helping to maximize space and style. We need everything from layout, to color scheme, to furniture selection and accents. We want it to look like we had a designer. No construction is needed. Kitchen and bath changes not necessary.

Style: Transitional Contemporary/ Eclectic
Space: Appx. 850 sqft one bedroom. (Living room seperated into living room and den areas)
Location: Central Village
Timeline: Looking to begin ASAP and would expect that it would take 4-6months to get the project done.
Budget: We are looking to stay under $30,000 for the entire apartment. However, we need someone who can add value by finding us some good deals. Although a piece or 2 from Crate and Barrell is ok...we don't want everything from the standard retail stores.
Fees: To be determined. We imagine that the fees would be few thousand dollars (whether hourly or fixed).