apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Did any AT readers come to Hillsborough for the Dwell House tour last weekend?

I'm thinking of trying a DIY project to build a pendant light like similar to this one:

http://tinyurl.com/yodhgj or the Rody Graumans Chandelier '85 Lamps' from Droog.

I don’t think the individual bulb strands would be a problem. One big question I have is how the wiring at the ceiling would be done. Also, I'm worried about electrical issues - current, etc. - that I might not be aware of.

Does anyone have any ideas/comments/suggestions?

Any suggestions on a source for nice cloth-covered electrical wire? What about a source for more interesting sockets? Most of the ones I’ve found so far are the white porcelain sockets. They could work - might look good with black or red cloth-covered wires.

I’m also interested in finding LED bulbs – use less electricity. Make the project a little greener.

Something like this would be great, can an equivalent be purchased:
http://tinyurl.com/jvmyx

I recently ordered this rug from urban outfitters online, and I love it. It's on my patio, under a bistro set, and it really brings some life to the somewhat dull area. I got it on sale for $11.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=27655&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=336&iSubCat=593&iProductID=27655

Southerwayfarer,

You can find nice old fashioned cloth-covered wire at Lighting Plus, if you're in New York.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/soho/lighting-plus-002769

As for the electrical issues, I have no idea, but I would start with using low wattage lightbulbs.

i think im allergic to my ac...does anyone suffer from this and if so, what have you done to fix it ( besides getting rid of the ac..which isnt really an option as its like 100 degrees in the city today...)

Bellaknollie, have you cleaned out or replaced the filter recently? I try to clean ours once in a while, just to get any dust/particles out of it. It should be fairly easy to find in a window unit, and if you have the user's manual it should explain where it is.

Has anyone purchased a sofa from CB2.com? I am going to purchase some items from them, but wanted to get the opinion of someone that has actualy touched their products. I am located in DC and don't have access to their showroom in Chicago.

Often times sofas look great in a brochure or online, but are actually of poor quality and cheaply made (ie. iKea).

Thanks in advance,
-Grant

* And just to keep the movement alive "AT DC, AT DC!".

blustar ( thanks for the tip)-

I have a portable ac ( looks like a R2D2)
its a combo ac/dehumidifer since i live a a ground studio apartment ( fancy way of saying the basement..hahah)

last year i had some issues with mold..took care of it..but since i put the ac in this season..my allergies are getting worse..even my dog has the sniffles.

Tonight im going to clean the removable filter. My mom suggested cleaning it with part clorox part water. But does anyone have any better suggestions...

Ka-ton--

If you can wait til Septemebr, CB2 is coming to NYC, just a quick train trip from DC!

A/C
1. Turn off.
2. Let it cool.
3. Remove Filter
4. Remove front cover
5. Vacuum A/C unit carefully (every nook and cranny)
6. Take filter to bathtub or large sink and clean it with a rag or soft brush and soap and water.
7. Rinse well.
8. Allow to dry.
9. Reinstall
Use vinegar on the filter if you must. Why zap your air with chlorine bleach when it isn't necessary?

Clean the filter each month at minimum.

ahh kurt...thank you..

my mom..is sadly obsessed with bleach...

but im defiantly going to try that as soon as i get home

bellaknollie, I strongly recommned not just cleaning your filter, but *replacing* your A/C's filter with one of these:

http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/Product/Window_Air_Conditioner_Filter_AEAC2/604_99

This isn't the exact brand I bought, but it's just about the same thing that I picked up at my local hardware store in NJ. Also (not to critize anyone's housekeeping), give your room a good vacuuming & dusting. Sometimes after having windows open in spring, outdoor polluntants create new dust in places that you might not be getting to during regular dustings. (thinking window treatments, maybe the backs of furniture that face windows). I know when I first turn my A/C on in the summer, I often find a fine film of green pollen dust on my surfaces (long after that season is over) -- so the A/C air must be blowing it out from somewhere.

Pat on back please -- over the past week I turned old curtain panels into a shower curtain (grommets!) and used the left over bottom bits to make a matching curtain for the litter box alcove in the built-in closet in the bathroom (one of my improvements to the apartment), which makes the whole space much more civil, and with the help of my trusty teenage helper stained a set of unfinished bookcases that are 6 feet high and stretch along 14 feet of wall -- plus other stuff, not as visible, but equally gratifying.

Progress!

robyn-

i thought of that but the filter on my portable wont allow me to do that. unless i order a new part from maytag. and let me tell you ..their customer service blows monkey turds.

if i had a normal window set up i would totally have a normal ac with replacable filters...DAMM YOU landlord and your quirky windows..blah...

I bought a couch from CB2.com a year ago -- one that they no longer sell. It's a great couch. The delivery was prompt, three guys walked it into the apartment and moved it a few times to where I wanted it.

It's held up amazingly. The fabric is beautiful, the shape great. I should have measured out the footprint better when I was buying (it's huge) but that's my own fault.

I think it is exactly on par with CB sofas -- just a better more modern design.

Patrick - I can't wait that long. I sold my main seating couch. My guest and I are tired of plopping on the floor. :)

Gluestick - Thanks for the confirmation. I think I am going to pull the trigger and try it. If it turns out to be crap then it goes to craigslist.

Thanks again,