apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Does anyone have any experience with Urban Outfitters textiles? I am moving into a tiny studio and one of the only ways I'll be able to liven up the space is some bright curtains in fun prints. I like some of the curtains at Urban Outfitters but am unsure of the quality (though, with my tiny budget, quality isn't something I'm expecting a lot of.

Thanks!

Change of pace question, though since pets are covered, why not musical instruments?

I was in the junk shop on Mercer in Soho, where a vintage guitar called out to me. Well, it didn't just call out, it serenaded me in a fine flamenco, and threatened to sing the blues if I left it behind.

More to the point, it came with what seems to be it's original hard-sided case. The price was a bit more than just a song, but was about what I'd pay for a new mediocre acoustic guitar at, say, the Guitar Center, but that wouldn't include the vintage case (or any hard sided case for that matter).

While the case itself is in good condition (as is the guitar), the bakelite handle needs to be replaced. Does anyone know someone good with vintage restorations of this sort in general or luggage in particular?

And since I haven't strummed one of these things since high school, if anyone can make a recommendation about lessons....

Does anyone have experience with steam cleaners? They seem like a good idea, in theory, but not sure if they really work well. I am thinking of getting one like this (which only has one review - positive).

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1185810667/ref=sr_1_1/601-1288845-9763310?ie=UTF8&asin=B000BQW7M2

I am mainly wanting it to clean ceramic tile, porcelain tile, sinks, the tub, etc.

Robyn,
I have a steam cleaner, more a mack daddy model. From what I can see of the Target model it will work best with the pointed wand that focuses the steam where you aim. My guess is the floor brush will disperse the steam too much to be really effective. It takes A LOT of steam to really use those floor attachments. Enjoy that super sparkling grout and remember to steam then scrub and wipe. Unfortunately the steam doesn't completely eliminate the scrub part.

i've had some urban outfitters tapestries and things and they're pretty decent. i mean, not frette-nice, but add-color-in-a-cheapish-pinch nice.

Has anyone purchased the down featherbed from the Marriott Hotel bedding collection? Thoughts?

Does anyone know where to find glass jars like these http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41V9ZPC2EDL._SS260_.jpg but cheaper and more old school?

To Jonathan B:

If you're talking about just replacing the handle on a hard-body, leather-bound guitar case, you should be able to take it to almost any leather repairman. They do this routinely for briefcases and luggage, and if you're guitar case is anything like what I think, then the carrying handle should be similar to those found on old(-er?) suitcases, briefcases and hatboxes (whoa, that's going way back)
Also, what shop on mercer in SoHo are you talking about? MIght need to check it out some day

And for all, I did a stop by at the DWR Annex on sunday to do a lil office chair and coffee table shopping, and they have a pretty redic. deal on the Gin Table. $160 for small or large sizes, and I think the thing sells for like $800 normally. I don't work for them, and the table doesn't fit into everyone's aesthetics, but I thought it was a pretty good deal.

to thebuddha --

Actually, you can still get hat boxes in places like JJ Hat on Fifth Avenue. But I know what you mean. I remember as a small child being taken shopping with my mother and being given a hat box at Hattie Carnegie to play with. I still like octagonal shapes.

I'll look into luggage shops that look like they have vintage pieces. Surely there is something like that in New York. Thanks.

The shop I referred to is Soho Treasures, 123 Mercer. I think they acquire most of their stuff from abandoned storage rooms and the like. I found the guitar wedged amidst a electric guitar, a French horn, and a violin.

Om.

Milord123-

This model from The Container Store is very similar, same lid, perhaps a bit rounder body, though:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=9780986&itemIndex=37&CATID=74062&PRODID=10013282

hi! does anyone know where i can find cool modern plant stands? i love the TALL bullet planter, here:

http://www.hiphaven.com/Pages/A_Retro_Bullet_Planter.html

however, that price is whack!

in my head i envision a "tripod" legged metal stand, but all i find online are fugly and chunky and usually wrought iron or some icky design.

any ideas?

thanks!

Hello all:

I would like to do a 3-D rendering of my living room as I envision it before I go ahead and renovate and redecorate. Do you have any advice on what software (preferably free or cheap) I might use to do this?

I've seen http://www.microspot.com/products/interiors/index.htm for more than $100 and the BH&G software for about $50.

Like all of you, my space is so limited that I want to make sure I am doing things right before committing myself to purchases, reno, etc.

Your advice will be much appreciated. Any freeware would be especially excellent.

If you have any good advice, would you write me directly at tgraves12@yahoo.com?

A million thanks.

Terry, have you looked at Google Sketch-up http://sketchup.google.com/. the basic version is free.

I had an issue with an Urban Outfitters tapestry. I had it folded at the end of my bed and my cat got sick on it. (Eww, I know) and it soaked through to my white duvet cover. The color from the tapestry bled through to the duvet. I think after a good washing, it was ok but I was suprised at how much the color bled.

Aside from my color issue, I think the fabric quality itself is ok. Since its just drapery, I wouldn't worry too much about it getting alot of wear and tear.

For any sleeping loft folks out there - how much space do you have between the top of your mattress and the ceiling? Or what would you consider to be a comfortable height (if a full standing height is not available.

I am considering building a sleeping loft but I'm afraid of it feeling too cramped up there.

Thanks

hi,

HELP!

i'm redesigning my kitchen. i want a modern, clean look.

the cabinets are all natural maple from armstrong and i've chosen are here: http://www.armstrong.com/rescabam/na/cabinets/en/us/room_image_large.asp?styleId=37&finishId=11

i'm pretty sure i'm getting a new venetian gold counter top. the couch is neutral and the are no other colors in the apartment so far. what color tiles should i use for the backsplash on the counter? i was going to use glass tiles by mirage seen here: ttp://www.mirageglasstiles.com

WHAT SHADE OF TILES SHOULD I CHOOSE? i'd like to keep the room warm, but versatile and modern.

any suggestions for the floor? the floor in therest of the apt is cherry wood.

thank you!

Decornyc - I think a khaki green glass tile like C70 or a mix like the CB24 1" x 2" would look great with your maple cabinets. A slate with warm tones or another neutral stone would look great on the floor and will work well with your wood floors.

Don't be scared. Those maple cabinets are a great "black slate" to work with.

Laura -- I would guess you should be able to sit up in bed and still clear your head by a bit.

The few times I've wanted to buy something from Urban Outfitters (such as curtains, upholstered furniture) I saw online, I was incredibly disappointed upon visiting it in the store. I just don't like the fabrics they use. I wouldn't say they're terrible quality, though; just a preference of mine.

thespaceelephant: I'd go for it. I've had two UO tapestries for years and they're still going strong. I use them for picnic blankets so they actually get more wear and washing than if they were hanging as curtains.

Laura: I second JonathanB's rec re: sitting up some extra. I had a loft where sitting up wasn't possible and it truly sucked.

kdkaboom,

CB2 had a planter that looks vaguely similar to the Bullet Planter. They called it the Stilt Planter and it was very inexpensive. I just looked on their website and couldn't find it anymore, but maybe Ebay?

See this link for a photo:
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/stilt-planter

j-fer, that would be PERFECT. egad! i looked on cb2 before anything else, because i remember once seeing a cool plant-related thing (not this stilt one, though) and lo! cb2 has, like, NO planters.

sigh, LOVE the stilt planter... maybe i'll try emailing them.

thanks so much - katy

Dear Phaedrus:

Thank you. Will try it out this afternoon!

Terry