apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Can someone help me with a paint color? I just bought an apartment and will be moving in next month. The previous owners renovated the bathroom, adding some sort of Tuscan-ish stone tiles in the shower. The floors are medium-toned wood laminate and the fixtures (toilet, sink, tub) are white porcelain. There's no tile on the walls, so I can paint the whole thing whatever color. Right now, it's painted a sage green and the whole effect is kind of countrified. I'm more a traditionalist (not country, and not super-modern, but still clean and uncluttered). I thought about going good old white, but wasn't sure if that would be too stark (everything else in the apartment will be painted a muted neutral). Any thoughts would be appreciated!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31892704@N00/412623813/

Anne, I think going all white, with the white trim, fixtures, etc, could be too stark. I suggest pulling from the tiles at the tub surround and going with a light beige or taupe to pull it all together.

I've been researching vacuums and cannot decide which vacuum works best for area rugs and wood floors. I read that the Dyson's suction is too strong for area rugs. I prefer a bag-less filter, but can compromise for the right vacuum. Could anyone recommend a vacuum that fits the criteria?

Thanks,
Case

Anne

I see some sort of a buttermilk sweet yellow color and some nice white shower curtain pulling it all together. It would be both creamy sweet but also have a clean feel to it like you want.

Case

I can't help but comment here. I just bought a Miele (which is a canister, and does have a bag), and I swear it's the best investment I made ever. No more dust bunnies!
I also wanted to get the Dyson, but it seemed very unrealistic in my limited closet space. The miele is so tiny yet so powerful - it's unbelievable. Check out reviews online too.

The exact name is Miele Galaxy S4 Carina S4210 Vacuum Cleaner. Good luck!

is there anything to be done about a shedding throw? i'm about to throw it away because i can't take the lint any more.

I have the same model Miele as Asliee does and it is fantastic! It's powerful yet quiet, and the small size makes it perfect for a NYC closet.

slightly related question but if my single pane windows allow so much air through that the plastic covering I put around and with several layers of tape (I've gone through two industrial rolls) threatens to blow off is that the landlords responsibility or mine? ALL the windows leak air, there are two unworking electic heating boxes in the outer walls that aren't insulated (read wind-boxes) and it's killing my heating bill. It's a one bedroom apt in philly. Who is responsible?

Hi Dana,

My guess is that Philly landlord-tenant laws mandate a minimum temperature that a landlord has to maintain in rental units. But you said you pay your own heat, so that’s not really relevant here (you do have the ability to adjust your own thermostat, right?). Assuming that, in the construction of the building and the installation of the windows, all was done to code (even if it was a million years ago), I imagine your landlord isn’t responsible for draftiness. Sucks – I know.

Now when you’re talking about putting plastic on windows, were you referring to something like 3M Window Insulator? You mentioned using industrial tape and everything, but the 3M stuff comes with it’s own fancy schmancy tape that I’ve always had good luck with. Here’s a link to the product on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Indoor-Window-Insulator-Kit/dp/B000HA7NDU/ref=sr_1_5/102-2342552-9283302?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1173203968&sr=8-5 . I’ve always been happy with the results. It really does make a big difference.

Good luck! Stay warm(er – hopefully)!

Thanks Harley, yes that's what I used. The problem is, the windows are HUGE and where the windows meet in the middle, doesn't meet - there is a gap. All this makes the plastic blow out just like there is no glass. IF I didn't have the plastic, I could put the heat up as hight as I'd like, it's just blow straight out through the apt. whee.

I would probably do Benjamin Moore Shenandoah Taupe in that space. It will class it up a bit and play well with the tile but will not compete with it, your result should look clean and sophisticated.

That's a real drag, Dana. I'll ask around and see if anyone else has any advice.

I'm looking for Luke Lownds. I have his card but the phone # is no longer in service. Maxwell and Justin have both recommended him but I can't find him now. Anyone know how to reach him??

case, miele miele miele. $pen$ive, but totally worth it's weight in hepa filters.

Anne -- I'd look to match a medium tone in the tile, aiming for a shade or two lighter than the floor, but still saturated enough to contrast visibly with the white trim.

That wraps the entire room in a monochromatic color scheme to keep it soothing, maintains the traditional balance of the floor being the darkest major surface, and gives you some drama and sophistication without preventing you from ever buying colored towels.

My bedroom in the rental apartment I share is off the living room and kitchen. Unfortunately, I can hear a pin drop through the closed door. Does anyone have any advice about reducing sound that doesn't involve replacing the door? Is there something I can do that won't be an eyesore? I've literally been losing sleep over this.

Persephone-

If air can get in, sound can get in. If you don't want to replace the door, the first step is to weatherstrip it. You want a tight seal all the way around. If you look at the special so-called "soundproof" doors, one of their main features is drop-down weatherstripping at the bottom. If you have carpet, you could install a metal threshold over the carpet in the doorway so the rubber has something firm to meet. I went through a whole soundproofing thing at my office and the big lesson I learned is that even a tiny airspace lets in practically all the noise, but once everything is stopped up, then the noise is dramatically reduced. Google "soundproofing" and you will find some businesses that specialize in selling soundproofing equipment; they can be very helpful.

Dana-
In our office we have very drafty windows and we sealed up the cracks with a silicone caulk by DAP called "Seal n Peel" (or something like that) It seals up the cracks, but in the spring you can pull it right off. It smells terrible, so you might want to do it when you are going to be away for a day or two. Hope this helps.

Persephone,
They just posted a Good Question about this recently on AT: San Francisco. I've linked it to my name, but in case that fails, you can check the archives for March 2nd.

dana - you did the hair-dryer part where the plastic shrinks, right? just checking, because i know some friends of mine forgot about that part. maybe you could try putting a separate strip of the plastic over the gap in the middle of the two windows? I'm not sure I'm picturing the windows properly... but I feel like you might get lucky if you think about moving the tape & plastic so that the tape lays flat on a surface, like maybe even outside of the window frame - might look ugly, but might just work.
also - I'm in Canada (Toronto) and there are new laws here for landlords to maintain a certain energy efficiency, especially when utilities are the tenant's responsibility. my guess is that your landlord is well aware that your place is drafty and that's why you're paying the bills...
try checking out this site: http://www.rentlaw.com/pennsylvaniarentlaw.htm

Wende,

We have been missing you. How have you been?

Ok I am a desperate woman and part of what makes me desperate is that the thing I'm desperate for is soooo mundane! All I want is a dish scrubbie that doesn't totally suck. I want it to have a long handle so I don't have to get my hands wet. I want it to be something other than plain bristles, so it will generate a lather. I don't want the handle to leak dish soap all over my sink. I just can NOT find one and it's driving me nuts.

Does anyone know where to find a relatively attractive bare bulb hardwire kit that would accept the Tord Boontje Garland light? I want to use use the Garland light in my bedroom but would like to utilitze the available junction box instead of using a plug cord. Thanks.

Anne- I vote butter yellow. Pale. Monica Ricci, have you tried everything Bed Bath and Beyond has to offer? Personally, I can't stand anything with a handle. I use a sponge with a nylon scrubber on one side and rubber gloves. For me, it's the only way.

Persephone - hang a curtain over the back of the door - fabric is excellent at dampening sound

Monica Ricci - you want the dishmatique - look at http : // www. dmpb. co. uk/ wup. htm - the long handle that you can fill with whatever cleaning liquid you want and the replaceable heads make it a must-have!

Monica Ricci -

Here's the one I use. I got it at Grand Metro Hardware on 96th and Broadway, and I like it. I don't know if it's one of the ones that you found to suck, but it works for me.

I keep it in one of those little suction-cup wire baskets on the side of the sink, with the sponge-side up at an angle, which prevents it from leaking into the sink.

Monica -

I meant to say... "click on my name on this post" to see what I'm talking about.

Hey Lori 2! I've been missing y'all, too!

I've been swamped with projects... the kind of work where you start out thrilled to have so much to do and end up tired and cranky.

Thanks everyone for your color suggestions! I'll be checking those out at the paint store next week.