apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

does anyone know where to get those large wall decals locally? I would rather go to a store and pick them up. I know http://www.whatisblik.com/ has them but i'm looking for a large tree that branches over to the right (i wanted to start it off in the left corner of the room) and it doesn't look like they sell anything like that. Am I better off just getting some masking tape and try to paint it on the wall myself? PLEASE HELP!!!

I remember faintly that one of the small coolest apartments had exactly what I was looking for but wasn't able to find the link.

I see a lot of concept pieces on AT that are just wonderful and that (assuming the price is reasonable) would purchase.

What if Maxwell had a new section called "rate the concept" and he posted the item and let us vote. Possible scale could be:
- "I'd buy at any (almost ridiculous) price!"
- "I'd buy at a (non-ridiculous) price!"
- "I'd buy at a Midwest price."
- "Not sure I'd need this, but I like the design and if it was in my budget, I might consider."
- "Not my style."
- "This isn't a great concept due to materials used."
- "This isn't a great concept due to execution."
- "This isn't a unique concept."
- "No thanks."

It might help the fabrication companies decide to pick something up that is really great, and speed it to market.

MrVoodoo - is this the one you remember?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/inside-out-hakarl-and-jili-make-a-new-home-016427

I have fuzzy memories of a different one too a skinnier tree....

MrVoodoo, Clairepetrol -

Is it this one? If so, unfortunately it is painted, not a decal!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2007-entries/24-anushkas-modern-merge-with-a-classic-twang-021719

~M

Cool desk designs at "Knu" sustainable contemporary furniture:
www.getknu.com/Desk/Desk4.html

I am desperate to do something about my bathroom: It is almost 50 years ol with the original hideous tile (the building was originally a rental). The wall tiles are speckled brown & the floor is porous grey tiles (like what you'd see in a publiuc restroom).

I can't afford a complete gut rehab/retile right now. Is there a good way to paint or reglaze tile?

It's is just too, too depressing as is. I can't figure out what to do.

A friend and I are having a debate over the correct pronunciation of German-born furniture designer, Michael Thonet's surname. Any experts out there?

Harley--

I always assumed it was pronounced "tho-nay"... but what alternates are you debating?

definitely "tho-nay" with the empasis on "nay"

Thanks Patrick -

I found a few places on the internet that say it's pronounced "TAHN-it", and a couple that say it's pronounced "TOH-NAY".

mrvoodoo: how about this alternative to painting/decals?
http://www.perpetualkid.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1739&dc=GDC0307

there are amazing decals here:
http://www.dvider.com/stickers.html

I had always assumed it was pronounced Toe - Nay. I could be wrong.

Small Spaces:

I'm in love with small-space living. I'm also in love with a fellow who is 6'6". He is very accommodating ( has lived in a 200 s.f. studio) and says, "no, no I can just fold my legs/arms/etc" but now that we have access to 500 s.f. I need help creating a living space that is practical and also thoughtful in terms of height, reach, and maybe other things I haven't thought of yet. AT Please help!
(BTW I'm 5'5")

I've always heard it pronounced in the French fashion (a la P(2) et al.). The other pronunciation is new to me. Sounds like someone is being pretentious.

Can anyone suggest a Benjamin Moore color for my kitchen. I am looking for a greenish with grey undertones. The granite I just had installed is black, white, grey and slight green veining. The room off the kitchen is painted a medium grey.

If it was French, wouldn't it be pronounced Toe-ney? Have you ever heard a Frenchman make a "th" sound?

Closet question: I have old pre-war-style closets in my apartment. They have really high ceilings (9 feet) but the space seems so underutilized - they just have a single rod and shelf. I can definitely see the value in doing a California-Closets-type thing in a wide post-war type closet - but does anyone have any experience with trying it in one like I have?

Thanks for the input on the "THONET" topic everyone. And Estelle, I considered the whole French pronunciation thing, too, but he's not French, so I imagine "Toe-NAY" is out. The company still exists, so I'll email them and see if they can confirm the pronunciation once and for all. Dang - for all of the energy I'm putting into this, you'd think I was trying to solve world hunger or something. Feeling a bit silly, but... just fixated now.

Harley -- don't feel silly about being obsessive on this. If I may so forward as to say anything on behalf the majority here: you're in good and similar company.

Kjirsty-feel your pain. Is there room for side rods? My closet is high and includes shelves across the width but is entirely inadequate for living today. A picture might help motivate workable suggestions.

DawnMarie04 - don't know if this would interest you but we recently painted our studio, almost all of it, in Benjamin Moore's Bavarian Cream which is an off white with a very faint green undertone - I absolutely love how it turned out, it is bright yet subtle and more interesting than just white. Hope that helps.

StudioAndy- Thank you for the reply. I just looked and realized a had a swatch of Bavarian Creme in my huge pile of BM colors. It is beautiful. I think I over looked it since it was on the lighter end and I was looking at any swatch that screamed a more green/gray. Thank you so much for taking me in a direction that I had not even noticed.

re: "Have you ever heard a Frenchman make a "th" sound?"

Well, yes, but the circumstances were questionable.

Jonathan B - re: "good and similar company" - thanks!

Videonerdann:
I sympathize. My b/f is 6'5, and I am 5'11. Unfortunately, standard apartments just don't seem to be made for tall people. I didn't really think about this until I watched him having to bend way over to wash dishes in the sink, brush his teeth, wash his hands, etc. Then it hit me that I was always bending, too. Aside from making counters and sinks higher, if there are things in the kitchen that just he uses, put them on the high shelves - he can reach them easily. Also, if you have the room and $, splurge on a large mattress. It really makes a difference to have some room to stretch out without bumping into someone else. Don't cram too many chairs around a dining table as longer legs and arms need a bit of breathing room. If I think of anything else I'll pass it along.

We need pictures if the b/f bending over to wash dishes.

I live on the 8th floor of a building. My windows are hideous on the outside and I want to clean them. I'm sure that there are ways to deal with this, or some sort of specialized tool. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

The windows are the old-fashioned kind, sash weights and all, and my secondary goal is to not fall out of the window.

we just drew with a pencil from a projected picture (that a friend drew in photoshop), and painted it in by hand. i think that was the skinny tree that you speak of. image is in profile :)

One last foray into the Thonet pronunciation debate...You can't just rule out the French version just because he's born in Germany. The two countries are neighbours after all, so there's probably been some back-and-forths between them.

And then there's the German pool player Ralf Souquet, who clearly has a French surname...

MariahB
This was the thread! thanks so much.

Clairepetrol,
First time I've seen this one.

Looks like I'll have to break out the paint and do it the old fashion way. Thanks so much to the both of you.

P2-
Unfortunately the bending is more comedic than it is sexy!

Comedic and sexy... the FINEST of lines, always.

I teach design history and my understanding is that Thonet, who was born in Germany and practiced in Vienna, used the German pronunciation that rhymes with bonnet. However, I have heard many antiques and museum professionals use the French-ish "toe-nay." I hope someone will call them.. if I remember to, I will tomorrow. Googling "Thonet pronounced" produces both answers. grr!