apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

So what I am now wondering about the new comments system is how does it filter out "people" like sleekspace who is basically spamming all over now? I almost went to check out the site the first time they posted and then realized from their profile that the only thing they are doing on here is posting random sites. Is this going to be a regular thing?

What subject headed should Worldwide entries use for the contest? "EAST COAST" "MIDWEST" "PACIFIC NORTHWEST" or "SOUTHWEST" e.g i'm in London, England

Hi, I'm trying to weigh between 3 options for flooring. I'm purchasing an apartment that has wood tiles on the floors. It's a building that went up in the early 80s and has the original flooring that is that pretty unattractive wood tile (not even parquet!). The space in question is about 500 sq ft, between the living room and the bedroom. I am trying to weigh between 1) just installing all new hardwood floors, 2) sanding, re-staining and re-sealing the current floor (I saw a neighbor's place that did it, and the result was actually decent) and 3) just putting down wall to wall carpeting.

How much does it cost for the materials, and to pay a licensed contractor to do this in Manhattan for each option? I have slightly differing preferences for each end result (of course new hardwood flooring is the most beautiful), and therefore want to use cost as the ultimate measure. (I think I am one of the only people I know under 40 that actually likes wall-to-wall carpeting)

Thanks for your insight!

Looking for some AT insight on a lighting problem. I have a small room (approx 8' x 15') with windows on 3 sides and an archway on the 4th side so there is VERY little wall space -- the only walls I have are between 12" - 18" in the corners. I made the situation even worse by buying a sectional (York from Room & Board in Nutmeg Leather -- love it!) that fits wall-to-wall on the 8' side so there's no space for end tables (I needed the seating space). There is no overhead lighting, only an outlet controlled by a wall switch. So my question is: does anyone know of a good source for nice plug-in type wall lamps (I can only seem to find swing-arm shaded, traditional fixtures -- all others need to be hardwired) OR a way to conceal the cord for a ceiling hung pendant fixture. Thanks!

rikko - keeping your original floor would be the most economical and "green". You should try to use "green" stain and sealant to finish it. Treehugger has an article on this: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/04/new_guide_to_gr.php

Carpet will have to "gas off" due to the chemicals in the fibers unless you, again, go green. That means all natural fibers and that is more expensive. Well worth the cost, though. You could, of course, go with a sustainable wood such as bamboo if you decide to completely re-do the floor. Bamboo is beautiful flooring.

But if cost is the issue I would opt for keeping and refinishing what you have.

nicci -

This is just me talkin', but I'd think that if we're going to stick with US sites, but invite the world to participate in our contests, then I'd think the world cities should align themselves to the ones of our sites whose cities we'd fly to get to.

So... I'd say that London should be New York; Canadian cities right about Chicago should be Chicago, but Tokyo should be what? San Francisco or LA? Not sure, but that's a starting place. I think it's a good question that needs some thought.

London should be New York--they're sister cities!

Tokyo would also be New York if you accept that logic. (Because there's no AT:Honolulu.)

Here's what I suggested in the contest thread:

If you're in Canada, go with the U.S. region closest to you.

If you're in the rest of the world:

Europe and Africa = East Coast
Asia and India = Pacific Northwest
Latin America, the Middle East, and Australia = Southwest

If you're a penguin in Antarctica, you're on your own.

It's arbitrary (the Pacific Northwest got India because of the large East Indian population in Silicon Valley), but any answer will be arbitrary.

So what I am now wondering about the new comments system is how does it filter out "people" like sleekspace who is basically spamming all over now? I almost went to check out the site the first time they posted and then realized from their profile that the only thing they are doing on here is posting random sites. Is this going to be a regular thing?

this user and their comments have been removed...

does anyone know of another resource for knockoff Saarinen tulip tables, but with a walnut (or any wood/veneer) top? I was hoping to find something a little less expensive than Room & Board's, and Ikea only has its Saarinen knockoff in white.

i need a fairly inexpensive glass top coffee table. my living room is tight and I have a lot of stuff in there. There is room for a coffee table, but visually, anything over than a glass top one would implode the space and just be bad...

any suggestions?

i've been craigslist'ing but there is nothing nearby (in bk and don't have a car - need to be able to walk it home, i'm strong though:) ).

Meg--
Have you looked at CB2? Perhaps something there. Or Chiasso.

Or, find something for a base and just have a glass top cut?

And yes, I realize "find something for a base" is probably the entire problem! :)

Look on eBay for bases for the Corbu x-base table... they are often sold relatively inexpensively without the tops, and are totally classic.

Um, Meg, have you thought about a base you'd like? I think a piece of glass wouldn't be too hard to find on it's own (not sure where in your neck of the woods though) so I would concentrate on finding a cool table base and then get apiece of glass cut for it. This might also be easier transport-wise as you could get each piece separately.

Mark W. Thanks! I was getting a little bit disillusioned over here. I didn't know how the system works. You're awesome!

I live on the sixth floor and I'd like to have a window box right outside my kitchen. The question is, how do I attach one without worrying about it falling in the wind, rain, or snow? Since I'm on the sixth floor, the installation has to happen from inside. There is a very small, rocky ledge just outside the window, so it would attach to this ledge rather than the window frame itself, I think. Also, there are no bars on this window. Budget is an issue. Are there clamps or something for this?
Thanks!

Your landlord will probably veto that box.

Quick Question: I love a drapery rod set that Z Gallerie has discontinued. They had one 28-48" left in store. My bay window is such that I could use that small one on the middle window and 48-80" on the outside windows.

There's a heat pipe just off the edge of the middle window, which means I'll have to hang the rod so the finials are within the line of the frame, or just barely over, so as not to hit the pipe. Is this acceptable?

The brackets have to attached to the window frames instead of the brick wall.

Hurry before they sell that last (nonreturnable) rod.

Robyn--
Have you tried Crate & Barrel? Most of their wall sconces come with really nice metal cord covers (or are you looking for something more modern?) I like the Duncan. I had a black shade made for mine.

I also think West Elm currently has some wall-mounted lamps but they may need to be hardwired.

hi! suggestions needed here....
i was checking out the other areas' sites and came across this thread, which made me think of a predicament of my own:
http://chicago.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/good-question-revisited-solution-for-the-ugly-pendant-lamp-020414

I have two very ugly ceiling fans in my (rented) apartment. I don't use the fans at all, but do sometimes use the light. They are like, the lowest end celing fans you can buy (i think) - plain white with a lightbulb in the center/frosted glass shade. Is there something I can do to make these more appealing? Unfortunately I don't think I can remove them and replace with more attractive pendant lamps. a) because it's a rental and b) because i do not trust myself fooling around with electrical "stuff."

anyone?

thanks!

leanne: just turn the electricity off from the main source and have someone help you with the weight of the fans as you disconnect them. Easy enough. separate the blades from the motor and store them neatly somewhere and then return them to their ceiling spot when you move.

Measure the hole that you now have in the ceilings and look for attractive lights that will cover them.

Electricity is nothing to be afraid of as long as you disconnect from the source before you go in there fiddling around, and plastic pliers are a very good thing.

I think there's a sight called BeJane or something that will help you with "how-to".

This is probably a loaded question...but I'm gonna ask it anyway: My boyfriend and I are moving to New York this summer (from Hawaii) and we are trying to avoid that painful search for an apartment. Any tips on finding a place (without using a broker)? I have been looking on Craigslist and backpage.com...and I am pretty familiar with the neighborhoods (I grew up in DC and have been to NY loads of times)...but I don't have a firm grasp on where to live or how to get a good place that doesn't cost a fortune.

Sorry for the non-design related question! Help!

Hey... could someone help? Im in search of a creative way to store my CDs. Currently, they are against the wall on the floor and it is driving me crazeee. All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Juliaclaire -

If possible, I think it's never a bad idea to sublet for three to six months. Not only will you get a firm grasp on the city and what neighborhoods you're interested in living in, but you'll be far more ready (geographically, if not emotionally!) to tackle the chore that is trying to find an affordable apartment without a broker. (Not that I'm advocating using a broker, understand, but going without one on top of just having gotten here could be a nightmare.)

An early welcome, anyway.

JacksonMarie: thanks so much! I found the site, bejane.com - it has a complete step by step on how to replace ceiling fans with light fixtures. thanks!

Robyn: home tech had a tip on flat wiring that you can paint to blend with the wall
http://hometech.apartmenttherapy.com/hometech/blogging/blogging-electronic-home-flatwire-enabled-devices-019189

Hello,
I am a long time lurker who decided to finally join.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any websites where I can buy glass door knobs.

Thank you

KaraBear:

Anthropologie has a couple of options:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jspitemID=391&itemType=CATEGORY&all=1

I've noticed that the blades of ceiling fans tend to be double-sided. You could always paint the other side and then when you go to move out, flip them back to the original colour.

That said, removing the fans and replacing them with something nicer is probably a better move.

Karabear:
Check out houseofantiquehardware.com. They sell reproduction doorknobs, and have lots of glass ones in different colors, cuts, etc.

Lady J-

If you like the curtain rods, you should go get them! I think it is perfectly acceptable to mount them in the way that you described.

I do have a quesiton, however. I looked at your pics of the bay - are the windows different sizes? I see what you mean about the middle window rod needing to be in line with the window frame. But if the other windows are the same size, I think I would buy rods that were all the same size and place them in the same way over each window. So if the middle one needs the rod to be tighter over the window, I would do the same for the other two, even though those don't have the pipe issue.

I may feel compelled to write this in more than one place. Be forewarned about taking architecture advice from a bunch of architects. (See the AIA thread below.) I renovated my small kitchen in Manhattan about three years ago. Set out telling my architect that I had a $20,000 budget and was VERY serious about the figure. $7,000 later I had plans that weren't quite finished and no work done on the kitchen at all. I fired him and finished the design job myself (redesigning a hanging cabinet he conceived from his $15,000 version to a $2,500 version that looks exactly the same. The cost of the project doubled in the end and I realized later that my contractor could have done exactly what the architect did. We're only talking an 8 X 10 foot space. My bad, for being woefully inexperienced.

juliaclaire, read this thread where a lot of advice is given on how to find a no fee apt:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/open-threads/open-thread-121-005913

Also here are a couple of lists of no fee buildings but, as was mentioned in the older open thread, they will be more expensive than the ones that do have a fee:

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3261
http://www.nybits.com/apartments.html

Good luck and welcome!

Jamie Pup!!!
We've missed you!!!!

hey thanks.
I've have been around but have only been able to skim most posts and have been way to busy to actually post myself.

I would have liked to have gone for the drinks at Gus Modern but, again, too busy.

Hope you are keeping well.

Sharon,
Being an architect, I was pained to read of your terrible experiences with one. And despite being an architect, the advice I tell to most people is to get themselves a good contractor. That'll take care of most anything.

Only if the contractor can't handle it, will he tell you to go get an architect and will probably recommend one that he can work with well.

sciencegeek - Do you need a special kind of paint for fan blades? Thanks.

Thanks Lori 2, the problem is I can't buy the same rod for all 3 as the smallest size only had one left and the middle window cannot take the next the size up.

It's okay. I was at BB&B and saw a similar enough rod from Umbra. So, I'll go with that and let the Z Gallerie one go.

Thanks.

Re: No Fee apartments...I found mine on Ebay and it was actually pretty easy. I started looking for people selling couches in NYC and narrowed it down to people who mentioned "moving" in their listing. I contacted them through Ebay and let them know that I was looking for a 2 bedroom and if theirs was available, could I please have the landlord's number. Maybe I got lucky. On the 5th email I got a response and we found the apartment of our current-dreams. Two bedroom w/ a yard AND a driveway in the Sunnyside area. Our landlord is great (we're even putting him on our wedding invite list!) and we became friends with the folks who moved out.

P2 - thank you! I love the Duncan from C&B -- I didn't think to look there and it is actually perfect. AT is the bomb!

ILoveUpstate -

You're a dang genius. That is a hilariously smart idea about the eBay thing.

ILoveUpstate, that's such a clever, nonmorbid update on the legendary trick of checking obituaries....

Karabear, I got my glass doorknob on eBay; they have vintage and new styles. Mine is pretty and was only $12. The bad part is that it doesn't quite fit the door (jiggles a little), but considering that the old one used to come off in my hand, it's still an improvement. (I'm new, too!)

Robyn--
So cool! Loves me the Duncan! Looking at mine right now! And it comes in a few finishes, all really nice... and decent for the price. And I installed mine so you KNOW it's easy to do! :)

re: fan blades
When you reverse the blades on some models, it changes the pitch of the blade and hence the type of air cirulation it provides, I think... so you may end up drawing warm air down, versus cool air up... not sure if that's in conjunction with reversing the motor direction or not... just something to consider.

fan blades

The fan blade I've flipped over have been the ultra cheap kind that you get in Home Depot. They are completely flat and thus wouldn't change the flow of the air. I think that they were made of particle board, so whatever paint is appropriate to that would be the way to go. I've never actually painted them, just flipped them from one side to the other - one is usually fake wood grain and the other black or white. I suppose that you could also use contact paper as long as it was carefully adhered and wouldn't go flying off after you turned the fan on.