apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have a studio with several alcoves. The flat industrial carpet throughout the apt. extends into the kitchen area (what were they thinking?) and I use the larger alcove as an art studio. It is impossible to keep the kitchen floor area clean in particular.

I'm trying to locate a plastic to put on the kitchen floor area and the work area (although I could use the chair matts here) and all I find online are the plastic matts for beneath office chairs or the very thin plastic on a roll. I need something substantial an attractive since I will leave it on the floor.

Does anyone have any suggestions? The landlord absolutely will not allow me to remove the carpet in those areas. I'd want something attractive that doesn't impact the carpet negatively.

Thanks.

Jackie, this might take a bit of work, but what about a canvas floor covering? You can order canvas in pretty large sizes or just use a canvas dropcloth. I'm don't remember the exact technique, but google and you'll find it all over. With the right varnish, it dries into a stiff, very washable floor covering. My parents had a few in their kitchen in their last home (in kind of a faux plaid) and they held up very well (and actually looked quite nice in their schmancy antique-filled kitchen). You prob wouldn't have this problem, but they had to put them on non-skid rug pads so they wouldn't slide around.

Jackie. Chillewich has a nice selection of runners and tiles. Regina just blogged the line the other day. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/materials-misc/chilewich-woven-vinyl-018696 Also, Plastica here in LA has a nice selection of woven plastic floormats and runners. These are on the pricier side. I've seen these in person and found the plastic used to be very softer to walk on than the standard-grade nylon. http://www.plasticashop.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=PAPPBOB&Category_Code=M6 (I have a similarly striped navy-and-white nylon runner in my kitchen that I got from IKEA a few years ago for around $15, but it's since been discontinued.)

"much softer to walk on..."

I have Chillewich in my kitchen and love it. It's soft, it's easy to clean, and it looks fantastic. I got mine at Chelsea Flooring, if that's the right name, I think it is.

Why I didn't think of a floor cloth is beyond me, given my background!

Thank you for these suggestions, and I welcome more. This has been a pain in my ____ for a long time. I'll investigate everthing - I hadn't seen the Chillewich thread - thanks.

Very grateful for any assistance I can get.

How about large sheets of rubber?

I'd like to see comments on aerobeds- what type have you tried, and pros/cons. I can't believe the site search here didn't turn up anything on it! We need a double or queen for my parents who visit twice a year, and the sleeper sofa is uncomfortable- i have heard comments that the aerobeds are much more comfortable than the sleeper sofas, as well as being lighter and cheaper. I am considering the queen raised aerobed with pillowtop, but read on epinions that it was not good for two people with different weights. Have you tried one?
thanks
N

Jackie (too)

I've made a few floorcloths. They are easy to make & washable. However, they work best if placed on smooth, hard surfaces - carpets are too soft.

What about cutting pieces of lineoleum to fit your spaces?

Nancy,

See this recent link:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/beds-mattresses/aerobeds-018690

My friend's husband just covered their garage floor with some kind of ribbed rubber(as Kah suggested)that he cut to fit the space. I think he got it at Home Depot and I thought it looked too nice for a garage.

Ribbed rubber sounds kind of nice in a kitchen I think.

Hi Jackie (too)-

FLOR carpet tiles always seem like a good option for renters living with ugly floors: (http://www.florcatalog.com/service/flor/shop_main ). They’re easy to put down, and you can take them with you when you move out. They make tiles in a million colors and patterns. And prices range from really cheap to a bit more expensive, but not outrageous. They make tiles for a variety of environments, including the kitchen, where you might spill on them. “House Pet” comes to mind as a style that might wear well:
(http://www.florcatalog.com/service/flor/shop_by_model.html?mv_arg=House%20Pet_01). For $5 you can order up to 8, 3”x3” samples. Remember, too, that prices are per tile (around 20”x20”)and not by the square foot.

Good luck! Curious to see what you end up doing.

Harley

Jackie, how about using an outdoor rug? Easy to clean and looks good. Home Depot carries them and here's a link to the ones in Frontgate.

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=1821&path=1%2C2%2C145%2C1821

Harley, I was under the impression these couldn't be placed over carpet - which is a bummer, as I too have uckly, stained, hideous renter carpet.

Do you (or anyone) have any experience with placing em over carpet, or some ingenious ideas like affixing them to something else first?

I am ALL ears! ;)

Nancy - the raised pillow top queen is great. Very comfy, tho it didn't last with cats. Doubt any are puncture proof.
Jackie - You might check out Canal Plastics. Maybe they have an idea.

Downeast Suzy, thanks for pointing out that link for the aerobeds. There are certrainly a lot of opinions! Either the search function does not work, or I don't know how to use it.
N

To everyone: Wonderful suggestions. I've spent the morning online looking at suggested options. I might be leaning, probably am leaning, toward the rubber thing.

My carpet isn't ugly, its just boring. The problem is that I cook a lot and don't want to be constantly cleaning a rug, so........hence the need for a more "slick" option.

Curtis: The ribbed rubber is probably where I'm going.

Nancy: Re: Aero beds: I've slept on an Aerobed and found it comfy, however, if you're talking about 2 people with vastly different weights and sizes, I don't imagine one mattress would work. Have you considered two twins side-by-side?

Thanks everyone! I continue to search....

Curtis,
haven't dropped here for a long while; it occured to me you might know P(2) e-mail.
Can you send it to me to tat_epstein-at-hot-mail? Planning a trip to Miami and need some tips.
Come to think of it, I don't know yours, either (which I'd love toask oyu for, if you don't mind).

Cool divider from costo
Plus cool design blog
http://modernself.com/?p=266#more-266

Jackie,
I have a rubber mat that covers most of my kitchen floor (it's only 3x5 foot tho!) and it cleans up wonderfully!

forgot to add that it's easy on the feet when I'm standing on it for long periods.

Tat: Did you not hear? P2 has been banned from this site.

P2 banned? So sorry. Please pass on my regards if anyone speaks with him.

2T: Please let me know where you purchased yours. That's about the size I need.

Hi guys, my girlfriend and I just bought our first apartment, and I am trying to decide on a new sofa for our living room. I'm hoping your opinion will help me make the best decision!

We're looking for a sectional to form an L shape, with a chaise and there are the two main candidates at this point - note our budget can't really go past $1,600 - i know, not a lot. I'm between the Tysoland loveseat plus chaise from Ikea (http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15585&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=50079&langId=-1&categoryId=16044&chosenPartNumber=S79829978), and the Replay series from EQ3 (http://www.eq3.com/cat-eq3/30001-16.html).

Does anyone have any other suggestions for something better in that price range? I'm going with something between white and bone/ivory.

thanks!!!
Andrea

Jill--if you don't mind my asking, when/why was P2 banned? I never knew him to be anything other than funny and (only slightly) obscene...

Andrea in Brooklyn:

CB2 has some interesting pieces.

http://www.cb2.com

take a look

And, not to completely sidetrack the thread, will P2 still be doing the designer interviews???

Those might be funny interviews.

P2: XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX?

VIPDesignPerson: I think pink will be back with a vengeance. Especially that lurid Pepto shade.

P2: XX! XXXXX XXXXX? XXXX. X XXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX.

jr: dont know for sure but im guessing it must be the obsene part.... remember that thread where dd was ranting on and on about people being banned and p2 was saying thats not truw, are you banned? in that sameone p2 was also arranging a hookup with forbidden fruit, remember? maxwell deleted all the hookup posts so that must of been what got p2 into trouble, im guessing

2T - seriously interested in your rubber kitchen mat.

Will check back here later.

(sorry for the blank)
hum...too bad. P2 could be quite amusing, AND he liked talking about design (which I guess is what we're here for). I haven't been following comments too closely for last few months, so I must have missed all the drama.

It seems srtange, though, to have two relative pillars of the AT comments boards banned. (Insert half-hearted few sentences about the good old days when everyone got along).

jenpdx, you made me snort delicately.

Sorry to pop up where I'm not wanted, but I'd like to squelch the rumor. I do not think P2 is banned. We are quite a group now, and we are keeping track of who belongs. P2 is not (yet) one of us, as far as we know.

It is also possible that we might not let him in. Hmmm... that would be an interesting predicament if you are banned from the banned.

Who is P2
And what did he do?

I didn't know you could be banned
for things you do!

Hi Andrea - I have checked out EQ3 occasionally in their store on 96th Street and was not very impressed by the quality - seems very similar to Ikea.

I would look a little more; $1,600 is not so bad as a price range for a fabric sofa w/lounge, I got a nice basic one for only $1300 from good ol' Jennifer Convertibles not too long ago and although not the most gorgeous thing on the planet it blended well with other more striking pieces and was extremely comfy.

pierre: heres what maxwell said in that other thread:

"we ban in exactly the same way I used to have to send children out of the room in school when they misbehaved. It happens when the class gets seriously sick of a student who is really pushing it and abusing the community."

many people were banned this week from this site because they were really pushing it. first some guys called steve were going on and on about whether maxwell had done anything wrong in his housing situation. so he banned them. then dd went on and on about how maxwell banned people. so maxwell banned him. before that a long time ago maxwell banned a guy called jonathan who was also really pushing it. im nervous becaus i may get banned too for telling you this.

its weird when people get banned. they just sort of fall silent and many of their old posts just disappear. everyone else gets scared so they go on talking about grouting and rubber mats like nothing happened. see how jackie (too) took the news about p2 in this thread. she said give him my love, and that was so brave of her to even mention him, then quickly turned to rubber mats or something.

Rumors of my death have been greatly exagerrated.

Not banned, no. Still here.

P2 being banned is a joke people!

get over yourselves

hah!!!

we must've typed that at the same time (despite the time difference)!!

that's too (2) funny

Just Curious, you're spreading lots of misinformation... those "hook up" posts are still there. Sorry to disappoint.

And if you think that stuff was obscene, you have lived a VERY sheltered life!!

P(2), I came here only to ask for your e-mail address. Planning to go visit Art Deco candy in Maiami (finally) and need some pointers/tips.
Could you write to me to tat_epstein-at-hot-mail?
Greatly appreciated, and all that.

Ok, Just Curious, I suppose you want to rehash the stuff. Not me, but I request that when you mention my name you quote correctly. I said "give him my regards". It is none of your business why I said this.

Of course I should ignore you but do not misquote me, and for the record, I began the rubber mat dialogue first. You really have some issues to resolve. Kindly leave me alone.

Move along folks. Nothing to see here.

P(too) and the wallpaper will be fighting a duel to the death for many more years to come.

Jackie,
here's the rubber mat I bought...
http://www.kofflersales.com/Product.asp?pid=40&cid=2#178
looks industrial in the pic, but is better in person. I got the pebbled one, but it looks pretty smooth unless you're an inch away from it.
I could send you a pic of mine but not sure how to link....

General comment: just ride the tsunami. Many of us -- includig me -- cannot read every post in every thread every day. It will another week or so for everyone who needs to know or might wish to know to catch up.

Re: P2. Having exchanged more a couple of obscene comments with him, I think camping it up might be a better phrase than trying to hook up. Here hook ups tend involve rugs or hangings, if not a connection to a really, really good design source.

2T:

Thank you! I looked at the Koffler site and I'm definitely ordering the black pebble mat - 3x5. Perfect. Thank you so much.

I'd search every suggestion above and actually this one is the most cost effective and appears to be attractive. Worse case scenario: If I don't like it, I'll send it back, but I have a feeling this is the perfect solution.

Thanks again

Jackie (too) or anyone considering canvas floor cloth--
don't do it!
i know you're smart enough not to, unless it's over a small, hard floor area, and heavily painted/varnished canvas.
(i tried it on a bedroom to cover horrid blue/beige/black carpet...it really didn't work.
thought i'd paint patterns on it, but it eventually rippled, even tho tacked down.)

the interesting thing tho was it showed me, more than hard wood floors ever did, just how much filth, hair + stuff accumulates on the ground!

Jackie,

Just another possible option - http://www.kokotrends.com/floormats/index.html

I just saw this on Domino mags blog.

I know this is unrelated, but maybe some of you may have an interest...

Did you hear that the Geico caveman may soon have his own series on television?

http://tinyurl.com/3849d3

I know there was a post here on AT recently featuring an interactive tour of his crib (which I found pretty cute), so for you caveman fans out there, you may have a regular series to watch. Imagine that.

Holly

Jackie,
Glad I could help! =)

Alert: Anthropologie has added more new merchandise to the website.

They are now offering SHEETS!!!

a friend of mine had carpet in her kitchen. She bought a remnant piece of lineoleum for very little money, and painted a design on it like a floor cloth. I believe she sanded it a bit first and covered it with a couple coats of polyeurothane afterwards. but it's great..cuz she was able to cut it to the exact size she needed to go around all the cabinets and appliances. and since it's painted, it doesnt look like lineoleum at all. it sits right on top of the carpet.

help.
i dont like beds.
i also dont sleep/recover well in the following.
matress, platform, futons, chairs or hamocks.
what other options do i have?

ion-

I suppose you could just hang upside down like a bat..... ;-D

Nancy, we put a memory foam topper on the sofabed when we have guests, and it's a LOT better than it was.

The problem is finding a place to store it afterwards - we folded it and stuck it under a bed.

ps
the room was kept shoeless, but the rest of the place is not.

sjv,
thanks for mentioning this! i'm going to try it, refinishing it will make different colors of linoleum look sharper; the room is 14' x 16'.

linoleum from the seventies should not be sanded, this can unleash asbestos, a hardware store empoyee once told me.
but quality remnants would probably be more recent anyway.

jonathanb you are such a sweetie and i luv your posts. your eye for color is so great! i dont know if in another week or so everyone who needs to know or might wish to know can catch up like you say. many posts are gone so noone who reads those threads now will know all what was discussed. many of steveRs biggest points that he was ranting on and on about in the oprah threads and back in the nytimes articles threads last fall are all gone now so how will anybody who reads all this stuff know anything for sure? maxwell has done such a good job of taking out the worst stuff but leaving just enough that it still looks like there was a discussion.

its like when u said to dd that you should read my posts and then he said i do too read your posts i know you quoted orwill and u cant be allbad and then u said to him that's like so flattering and go read 1984 again. but now dds post has gone so it looks like you are talking to thin air and jonathanB it makes you sound like a lunatic.

Thank you, but I don't know whether as a writer my eye for color extends much beyond local color. Or loco color. Over the decades there has been much speculation that I am a lunatic.

Aside from the minor point that there is a world of difference bewteen the alternatives of need to know and want to know, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here since I did follow enough of that to know what was going on once I found out there was something going on. But it seems to me there's enough left that the basic story can be pieced together.

I doubt, curious, that I am alone in thinking that the incident is over and it's time to get one to the next crisis du jour. As news broadcaster Charlie Osgood once said, "Nothing could be finer than a crisis that is minor in morning."

not sure it is jonathanB who looks like the lunatic.

justcurious, stop trying to revive the dead horse.

" i dont know if in another week or so everyone who needs to know or might wish to know can catch up "

Lucky them.

I'm thinking about trying to go more modern with my furniture. I currently have a very comfy, scatter-back pillow sofa and matching seat in chocolate brown. However, I also really am thinking about getting a Barcelona Chair (or a cheaper replica anyway). Should I get it in brown to match the sofa? Or maybe cream? White seems like it wouldn't go well, and I didn't think black would be that great either. And has anyone had particularly good luck with the replica Barcelona chairs? I like the ones at Design Within Reach, although at those prices they aren't really within *MY* reach at the moment.

P.S. My sofa is the 3rd picture in the row of sofas if you click the link on my name.

good lord you people need to get out more!

hi P2.

Get out more? It's forbidden, Fruit

jonathanB, you are totally funny.

forbiddenfruit, like violetsrose was saying i so want to be a gay man in my next life. but till then just for your hookup with p2 i would have so luvved to be a fly on your balls.

and casual bobserver you are so right when you say that this horse has sailed. maxwell has done such a clean job this week. its like stephen is banned. so is mo green and steveR and dd. this week he fixed all AT business. and he was so clever 'cause he took out so many of steveR's posts and dd's posts but left the ones where people were pretending to be dd. so dd looks like a total maniac in what's left, and that was so cool of maxwell. its too bad hes all vomiting and cant enjoy his total triumph.

you are also so right when you say its not only jonathanB who looks like a lunatic. i agree that lynn also looks loonie. she was all like there's no way steveR is banned, i had a totally civil conversation with him at 4 on sunday. then dd asks maxwell and maxwell say yes we ban kids who misbehave. then lynn is like i dont care what maxwell says i still dont no if steveR was banned. and dd was like i know it because steveR told me. and lynn is like thank you dd i hope your not lying. but now soome of dds posts are gone so people will look at the conversation and think that poor lonely lynn, shes talking to herself, she should really get out more.

"you are also so right when you say its (sic) not only jonathanB who looks like a lunatic."

wasn't talking about lynn

I'm sitting here at 11:01 p.m. wondering what a bobserver is and would it (he?) serve FF, P2, and me as well as bob....

casaul o, i dont get it. are u saying maxwell also is loonie? 'cause i dont think he is and u better not let him hear u say that about him. it was so sweet of jonathanb to say its ok if people think hes loonie, hes willing to make the sacrifice for maxwell, but i dont think you should be calling maxwell loonie. thats not right.

and, who are u calling sick? your not even spelling it right.

Melanie,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Not sure if you're coming back to this thread... It didn't occur to me that FLOR tiles couldn't be installed on top of existing carpet. I don't know how well it would work, but I would be curious to see if you could cut some slabs of MDF to fit the shape of the room, and attach the tiles to that??? Not sure. Just a thought. Good luck!