apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Just wondering... will there ever be an apartment therapy europe site? *hopes*

I've got one for ya. I ordered this table: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=sc_ri_3/602-5939040-2899805?ie=UTF8&asin=B000MPM42K

It came last week and after much hassle with UPS, I got it home and open. Turns out: it's painted! This table is painted dark brown. Not glossy spray paint or enameled. Just painted.

I tried to leave feedback on it at Target. First it tells you an error occurred processing the review. Then it tells you that guests can only post review on one item in a related set. So, because I posted reviews on a few other pieces in the Morrocan Mod collection, I can't post a critical assessment of this table.

When did they make this jackass change and what exactly is the good of it?

Painted?!? That is not the impression given by the (vague) description.

I wish Target would look at the preponderance of negative reviews on their online-only merchandise and ask themselves how to create a better match between what they ship and what buyers expect to receive. Sometimes they offer cute and useful items, but at such a risk of disappointment!

That isn't what's pictured either. Don't get me wrong - I want to paint it a peacock blue - buy it is an important detail to not mention.

Look for a photo on my Flickr by the weekend.

Definitely looking forward to your photos -- I love your color scheme.

I'm thinking of moving back in that direction for the new bedroom, since it'll be at the rear of a loft, furthest from natural light. The gold we have in the br now seems too formal, and the abundant black-white-gray-beige in the current (very sunny) guest room seems like it'll be dark and dorm-roomish rather than soothing and casual.

Does anyone have ideas on removing a mildew smell from wood furniture? I bought something super-cheap from Craigslist and after it was delivered noticed a definite garage-y smell after all the drawers were removed as well as some (dried) yellow mold under two of the drawers.

I cleaned it out thoroughly and wiped it down with bleach plus spraypainted the exterior. Most of the individual drawers now smell fine but there is still a lingering although much slighter odor of mildew (now mixed with bleach!) in some places. I suspect it is coming from the interior (particularly the back and bottom) of the unit, not the drawers.

So are there any suggestions on what I should do next? Would it be a good idea to wipe it down with bleach again, or would spraypainting the interior or sealing it with some kind of varnish help? I know it seems kind of ridiculous for a $25 dresser but it's already in my house, looks cute and fits perfectly next to my vanity, which is from the same era.

This is a shade store question: we're trying to get cellular blinds for a wall-wide set of windows. We've figured out that we'll need three panels (two narrow, one wide) and we'd like the ones where you can lower them from the top. The price we see for the white set is, in total, about $600. How does this seem to you guys? We're willing to pay (some) for quality and ease and immediacy of installation (poor boyfriend's arm's constantly being roasted by the afternoon sun). Thanks, and please, please answer!

eeeck - the best remedy for mildew is UV light. so if you have some outdoor space, set the drawers out in the sun individually and the dresser too. you could also try sprinkling baking soda all over the inside, letting it sit for a day or too then vacuuming it out. also - try some lemon juice, or a strong citrus-y cleaner.

Thanks Ange_lune - that actually makes sense, since I did put the drawers out on my terrace for the better part of the day and they don't really smell now. The rest of the dresser is going to be more of a tight squeeze but I guess if I unscrew the legs I can lay it out there face-up so the light can penetrate to the back. Given the improvement in the drawers hopefully it should work!

eeeck-
If the other solutions don't work, try putting a thin coat of clear polyurethane over all the interior wood and see if that helps. I had a few pieces of furniture over the years that had been stored in damp areas and that's how I finally killed off the musty odor.