apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've searched and searched and I can't find this old post here that I was thinking about the other day. It was an old house tour or maybe it was an entry in the Smallest Coolest contest from 2005 or 2006. See if this rings a bell: There was a huge rasterbated image of a child on a wall and a gorgeous glowing lamp that sort of looked like a light up globe. Anyone?

A morning tv newscast was singing the praises of "cloth" shopping bags sold in supermarkets. Does any one know if these are truly eco-friendly purchases? Or is their value that they simply decrease the number of plastic bags used?

Can anyone recommend a good professional organizer – perhaps one who specializes in files/filing cabinets (if such a specialty exists)?

Mason,

Sure. They are reusable and biodegradable. Over at AT: Kitchen they are coming up with an AT-themed one. Really, anything will do though. I have several string bags and a few canvas totes that I use all the time, but the totes weren't sold especially for shopping.

Mason,

Here's a link about bags, if you are interested:

http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/byob/

JonathanB, I don't have a personal recommendation, but I just happened to see this post on finding a professional organizer, on Unclutterer.
http://unclutterer.com/archives/2007/08/reader_question_should_i_hire.php

We're moving, and taking the opportunity to re-do/rearrange the way we use our space. I have a floorplan of the new place, and want to make little to-scale cut outs of my furniture and try out some different arrangements. The only problem is, I am both math- and craft-challenged (though not utterly hopeless). I have two questions I hope someone can help me with: 1) what's the best way to accurately figure the scale on my floorplan (i.e. 1" = 1' or whatever)? and 2) is there any trick to making 2-dimensional scale representations of 3-D furniture? Space is limited--I do not want to mess this up! Thanks for any advice.

Cmcinnyc -- Although architects work with even smaller scales, my first thought for a mid-sized apartment would be 1/4" = 1'. For $4, you can get a ruler that will help you with the conversions -- here's one version, but lots of craft and hobby stores have them:
http://www.akhobby.com/pd_124_scale_ruler.cfm

Eliza, thanks for the information. I do not like buying something that is promoted to be beneficial and then later learn that it is eco-friendly or was manufactured w/child or slave labor.

This is for mikey_hong and his question in the last OT about an inspector and other advice:

Larry Ubell (the one on WNYC radio with his father) is your man. Very thorough and a great guy.

http://www.accuratebuilding.com/

Unfortunately, you may find that the sponsors do not allow you into the areas that a building inpector really needs to see (HVAC units if they are centrally located, roof, basement areas, etc.) For that reason, it may be too much money to spend (a few hundred but I can't remember the amount) to be able to only inspect your apt. You cannot force them to let you into those areas and you have no recourse if they don't.

Discuss it with Larry and try.

In the event that you only discover issues after move in then you have to form a board ASAP. Read your offering plan now to see when the sponsor allows the formation of a board and get it started as soon as that date hits. You should do this as a matter of course. Only then will you be able to get mobilized to get a whole building inspection, get funds to pay for it etc. then, if anything major is found, you start the negotiations.

I'm not trying to scare you but the earliest possible formation of the condo board is a must just in case issues arise.

I have had friends close on new construction with no major issues and those that they had were promptly dealt with. Hopefully this is your experience. OTOH, as guido pointed out in the other OT, there are some buildings with problems.

OTher advice:
If you have money in INGdirect or a similar internet account, you need at least 2 full business days to transfer that into your checking account for closing. Plus you need time for the bank to cut you a certified check from those funds, so make sure you transfer a few days before closing.

As a buyer of new construction, you will be paying state and city transfer taxes that add up to about 1.5% (go to corcoran.com for more accurate numbers) of the purchase cost so, if you have not seen the estimate of closing costs then this should help you mentally prepare for the shock!

You will pay state and city xfr taxes when you sell also. That is the sucky thing about new construction. If you bought a resale then the seller would pay. Some sponsors offered to pay those taxes during slow periods about 18 months ago so it is possible to not pay them but that is rare.

Maybe also post on streeteasy.com or possibly curbed.com to see if buyers want to start a private message board such as on yahoo groups (but be prepared for snarky comments about why anyone would ever want to buy into such and such condo or such and such area). Make sure it is not public and register people that can prove their purchase by giving details that only purchasers would know. This will also help give you a unified voice in case issues arise.

Finally,
Good luck and Congratulations!

thanks sea

Thanks, wende, that helps.

DC:
The new West Elm store opened yesterday at G and 10th NW and I walked around the store today. I was totally unimpressed - there was not one thing I wish that I had there. In person, everything looks way worse than the catalogs, both in quality and in interest. I prefer Ikea, which also has massively greater selection. It seems like Ikea is cheaper too, for a similar quality, but I can't say that for sure. I can't really say what the West Elm quality is really like, beyond the tacky appearance.

I would rather get old furniture from thrift shops and yard sales and then get really nice stuff when I can afford it rather than this.

The advantage to West Elm for us city-dwellers, though, is that it is right here and not a shlepp out to the hinterlands. Also, that whole area of town gets more and more interesting all the time and having that there will only attract more.

I do really like how West Elm (and it looks like some other new stores) are using the old Woodies building, which is pretty fabulous.

Cmcinnyc- as for 1/4" scaled furniture, if you are nervous about drawing it in scale you can always get model versions. Microform Models has great 1/4" scale furniture and it's not very expensive:
http://www.microformmodels.com/

Mason- It depends who you buy the bag from, ultimately. These days they'd be dumb to use child labor for an eco-friendly bag, but you never know. Do a little research before you buy one. (There are some on that link I posted before that are pretty surely clear of child-labor.)

One more thing about the new West Elm - stay away from the sales people. They're on hyper perky drugs and won't stop talking. I'm sure it will wear off when the store is more than 2 days old.

Pixie -- I'm afraid not, at least on the evidence of West Elm here in New York. Hyper perky seems to be the default setting.

I'm glad to see the Woodies building being renovated and used.

Has anyone been out to the Marimekko store in Silver Spring yet?

I'm going to the Arise warehouse in College Park on Sunday -- they are beginning what they expect to be a six month going out of business sale so keep that in mind if you're looking for vintage kimono or Asian objets ..

Thanks for the info, Deborah. I've picked up vintage textiles -- obi mostly -- from Arise over the years.

But the news is very depressing. Arise closes; West Elm opens. So goes the universe.

Deborah,
It looks like Marimekko has closed its store and is looking for a new location:
http://www.honfleurhome.com/honfleur.cfm

I didn't know Arise was going out of business - thanks for the tip. Wow, there could be some great stuff at the warehouse.

I was planning to go out there anyway and then saw this on the website so called them:

http://www.arisedc.net/

They did say it would be a long drawn out sale since there's so much stuff.

In the same vein, the Cash Grocer in Alexandria is closing, and Chinatown has been Gapped.

Regarding West Elm sales staff....I actually have a positive story to tell about the Boston store. I had my eye on a cube-shaped desk that swivels open and shut, but it was a little out of my price range. One day I noticed they were selling the floor models at a very low price. I talked with a sales person and asked how much it cost to have it delivered, as I don't own a car. The delivery fee was more than the cost of the desk! Long story short, the salesperson convinced the manager to give me a new, in the box, desk for the same price as the discounted floor model and then, as it was the end of her shift, the salesperson drove me home with the desk at no charge. Now that's customer service!

The Washington Post article on the West Elm opening said something about it being the largest West Elm store yet...

A Gap in Chinatown? Where?

Mason - there are a number of places selling reusable shopping bags that do advertise environmentally friendly/socially responsible production - for example Envirosax has been mentioned a few times on different AT sites, and if you go to their website they describe there production process - they even have a line of bags made out of organic hemp and printed with vegetable dyes. http://usa.envirosax.com/index.php
While I don't know about specific brands sold in grocery stores, I'm sure you can find other companies like Envirosax that do promise good business practices.

hey, has anybody seen any great shower curtains lately?? I like the ones at Plush Living...but none of them are calling my name..

Eliza, you're my new favorite person! That catalog for 1/4" miniatures is terrific -- a great addition to Plastruct's modern selection.

Has anyone seen or made a pulley/winch system for transporting laundry and other objects up to, and down from, a loft sleeping platform? We’re moving to a space with a large platform, which has room for a dresser and desk as well as a bed. I’ve been told a winch is the way to go, but am not sure where to start… (I should add that I can’t carry heavy objects, but don’t have the budget for a custom elevator.) Thanks!

wow, what DC info! I used to go to that Woodies to see the Xmas windows when I was a kid...
I'm going to have to go visit Arise, er, I mean my mom

This wooden toy pulley, which my children use in the backyard, will lift 350 pounds and is quite beautiful:
http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=41&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1

Wende-

Glad I could share!! I LOVE that place! (I just wish they had more 1/2" scale stuff)

Um, JonathanB, Maxwell is pretty much a professional organizer... so you might want to ask him.

And to those bemoaning the West Elmization of DC, what was in the space they are now occupying? And stores don't close because West Elm moves in... stores close because they weren't making a profit. Blame the patrons (or lack there of) not the chains.

Pixie, sorry you did not like the stuff in the store. I am a huge fan and can't understand when people say they are "underwhelmed" by what you get (for the money) at West Elm.

I'd probably not buy upholstered furniture from West Elm. It looks good but I'm dubious about quality and longevity, but I've just recently purchased their overlapping squares headboard in chocolate and I can't say enough about how great it looks. Their pillows and other small accessories are also really great.

P2, and I can't understand why you're impressed with it. you can't make me give them my money.

BTW, I'm ecstatic to have the store there, even if I don't happen to see myself buying anything there at the moment (and I'm sure they'll do fine without my $$), because 1) they've used the old Woodies building to most excellent effect (what an incredible loft that space would be), and 2) their presence only amplifies the wonderful, historic revitalization of this formerly decrepit downtown area.

I was using "Gapped" as a metaphor; I don't recall seeing an actual Gap but I'm sure there was a Linens 'n' Things or a Container Store or something, and a lot of the restaurants and grocery/junky paper fan stores have been replaced with coffee bars and so on. I know time marches on but I'm sorry to see it take our neighborhoods with it.

Patrick(TOO) -- you're right that stores have to turn a profit or they die, but Woodies was just a late casualty of the junk bond-driven hostile takeovers of the late 1980s (I think it finally declared bankruptcy in the mid-1990s). We saw so many grand old department stores bought up with artificially inflated stock prices, drained and closed, putting people out of work and making it impossible for me to run downtown to, for instance, Garfinkels and find pale yellow ballet flats and leather gloves in my actual size (not small/medium/large), plus have lunch in a little flowery cafe on the top floor. Sigh.

Just to clarify, The Marimekko Store in Silver Spring just opened in late May. We're at the corner of Georgia and Ellsworth directly across from Discovery. It is a lovely store and complete representation of Marimekko. To take form Dunkin' Donuts for a sec, "it's worth the trip." From Marni, one of the MMKO Silver Spring owners (feel free to ask any questions; I'm an upfront, honest soul). This store is our answer to the West-Elm/PB/CB/Williams-Sonoma etc. etc. etc. Marimekko will not be cookie cutter nor will it be the next Starbucks - of that I'm certain.

mmkodc,
Thanks so much for the clarification. The only website I found, as per the link about, seemed to say that the store was looking for a store site. Do you have a current website link?

Hi! It's the Honfleur store that's looking for a new location, and I will clarify that on the site and apologize for any confusion. To browse Marimekko -- and we've got tons of what we have in the shop also online -- go to http://marimekkowashingtondc.com. Feel free to shoot questions my way: Marimekko is rolling out inspired art, items, and fabric by young designers who manage to both respect Marimekko's founding principles yet still innovate - two of my favorites are Bjorn Dhalstrom and Maija Louekari.