apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

i have gotten it in my head that i want wood paneling or siding like they have on the bo concept website.

any advice, tips, tricks, websites?

(or am i just nuts?)

I really couldn't find that paneling on their site.

I tell you what I saw on that show Surprise By Design that I thought looked pretty interesting, paneling-wise:

They took some of that 1970's-style paneling (where did they get it? Home Depot?) and they cut the 4' x 8' sheets into 2' x 2' squares (or where they 12" x 12"?) and they installed them on the wall in different directions in a basket-weave pattern and it sounds terrible, I know, but it really was kind of great.

All I can remember is the idea and that it looked good, but I can't even remember what it exactly looked like.

I live in Seattle and am desperate to know if anyone has actually seen or do they own Room & Board's Linear Storage System. It sounds and looks great on-line, and I have called them several times and have gotten the facts...but I need some real insider information.

Big D, do you mean the horizontal paneling shown on the Small Living page? Although it's possible that Bo Concept is using a special product, it looks like sheets of plywood cut to size, mounted to the wall, and covered with a clear sealer.

The difficulty with paneling as a DIY is that those shallow grooves between panels come from milling the edges of the panels:
http://www.hometips.com/content/paneling_intro.html

It might be worth looking at existing products, though -- paneling is still around, and there are some "better" products that are commonly used as a shortcut to making fancy wainscoting.

I remember seeing somewhere--I think it was here--a glass tea kettle. Now that I have the fabulous Kona coffee brewer by Bodum, I need an equally fabulous kettle to boil my water in. I looove the Chemex kettle, but sadly, it's currently unavailable.

Does anyone remember seeing this kettle featured here recently? Thanks!

hmm. it is featured on several photos on the bo concept website.

i'm thinking that I could just pick up inexpensive wood flooring from Home Depot and floor my wall. my floor guy will just love that for sure - I wonder if it's possible?

curtis - that sounds amazing. was it like a 3D basketweave or like that because of opposing grain?

wende - here's what i have in mind, sorta.

http://www.boconcept.us/default.aspx?ID=63607&ImageOrder=17

but your idea with plywood sounds great. i think i could possibly do that as a DIY with nails and oak multiply or something like that. as for the tongue and grooving..hmm.

the big d, that looks amazing. if you have the funds, perhaps you'd like to look into salvaged barn planks. older homes and barns (from anywhere like the south or new england) seem to have the best wood. it can be really pricey, though and the planks may look a bit more aged than what your project entails but they could always be replaned and stained to match your desire. good luck!

ocgirl,
i don't know what kind of glass tea kettle you're looking for, but i own this one & it's great
http://www.adagio.com/teaware/water_kettle.html?SID=0149ee82987124b2416d99e6cf708441
neat to see the water boiling inside too!

big d:

there is some nice hardwood plywood (walnut, mahogany, exotic species) out there - i'm not sure if i'd go for flooring.

Also take a look at the "modern" style of paneling on this site:
http://www.newenglandclassic.com/

OCGirl:

This is not what you asked for - but for hot water (especially if you make lots of tea/coffee) you need an electric kettle! You get hot water much more quickly than the stove top.

And if you want a deluxe version:

http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/electricpots.html

My parents put flooring on their huge sloped ceiling and it looks gorgeous. I don't know how it's attached, though sorry!

heather - thank you for that fanastic idea!

i just had a brainstorm and i just realized that my parents (who ranch in north texas) have an old barn that needs to be demo'd. it's from the early 19th century and is a perfect idea. however, i would probably sand it down and such because it's a wee bit *too* rustic for my decor. :)

thanks so much for the ideas!

yay! i'm glad i could help! please post your pics on AT when your project is done - i'm sure others would love to see what you've done as well.

will do! :) actually, i want to submit my condo for a AT house tour when it's all done. 584 sq. feet.

although, i'm kinda nervous about embracing the small space thing but i'm sure i'll survive. :)

Big D -- My, that paneling looks like flooring, possibly even laminate flooring! Flooring is already cut tongue-and-groove, so I'd be very tempted to try it.

Anyone know where to purchase the "casamidy" lanterns?? i went to the site and i do not know if they sell to the public. thanks!!

live,love,laugh..."cradle to cradle"
http://tv.peekvid.com/s3558/e49862/

best wishes for a NH2OY

I am moving into a new apartment with steam heat. All the radiators have those standard sheet metal radiator covers. They'd be much prettier without them! I' wondering--is there a safety issue with uncovering them?

Take 'em off, unless you have a baby crawling right next to the hot radiator or unless you'll freak out at the way radiator coils collect dust in places hard to reach. The room will seem much larger and may be warmer, too.

If you're tempted to put a shelf directly on top of a flat radiator, marble is best (you can get old marble window sills at architectural salvage stores) because it stays cool.

i'm thinking of getting this couch from ikea. has anyone had any experience with it? does it hold up well? i'm going to look at it tonight.

thanks in advance for the help. -Meg

Hi, sorry, I guess we can't use html...

this is the couch: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15585&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=10972&langId=-1&categoryId=16855&chosenPartNumber=S59829781

Meg,
Don't get the Klippan couch! It's really an uncomfortable, stiff little thing. I lived with it for a year and then gave it away, I hated sitting on it so much...

Jessica in Portland,

I tried it out and you're right, it is really stiff! I should expect it from a $250 couch. I had beautiful couches in my apartment at college and when I moved back to my parents house, they got stored in the basement. Now I'm moving to Brooklyn, but my mother redid the kitchen and there is now a wall blocking the couches exit from the basement. They will have to spend the rest of their existence down there, because there is no way to get them out! :(

Anyone know of a comfortable inexpensive couch?

Suzette,

Try emailing them. They did sell directly at one point, but if they don't anymore, I'm sure they would tell you where you could get them. The owner is very friendly and nice.

OCGirl,

How about the Bodum Assam Tea Press?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005LM0Y?vi=accessories

Big D

If you are looking for a rustic wainscot, these people have it in a nice looking veneered system.

http://www.newenglandclassic.com/

MM