apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've got a lighting question--my new rental has a wall sconce in the dining area. It's the only lighting there, it's inadequate, and it's not pretty. We have a hanging light we used at our old place that would look just as good in the new place. Thing is, I think we'd have to run the cord from where the sconce is now. Yes, this is a job for an electrician. Anybody who has done this, can you tell me if it's a fairly simple 1 hour job that any electrician can do, or am I getting myself into something that's more complicated than it looks?

All that needs to be done is replace the light fixture with a simple outlet. The hanging light just mounts to a ceiling hook and an electrical cord is added to the light. I don't know what your light looks like, but if you can make your own design statement with the cord -- drape it down a little, get a wildly oversized cord, tie it off at different places, use a spiraled cord, etc. Any electrician/handyman (or, even you) can get the electric job done -- the trick is (a) getting a cord you like, and (b) making the cord look good.

Thank you, lightenup--you are well named. I will get up on a step ladder and take a closer look at the fixture--ideally I'd replace the fixture with one of those outlets that has a switch. You give me hope that this might be basic enough to pull off myself!

cmcinnyc, I had the same situation in my last two apartments. My solution was to install one of those suspended cable light systems from Ikea ($50 - $75), which actually created beautiful, balanced lighting throughout the space. The transformer for the cable lights was very easily wired to the existing lighting rough/housing for the sconce. Of course, you do want to make sure that you have shut off the juice at the circuit panel first!

This year I'm looking to get my air conditioner stored/cleaned for the winter. Does anyone have any recs about who to use? Any pro/con about Amsterdam Air Cooling (amsterdamac.com), specifically? And, any words of caution before I decide to do this? (In years past I've just left it in the window or stored it on a porch, so this is my first time trying the storage option...) I'm on UWS. Thanks!

Anybody know where to get a mirror like this one?
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/12-15-tor6.jpg

Cmcinyc --Is the sconce not already on a switch? If its is, the outlet (and hence what is plugged in) will be switched also. You can have a switch with outlet as you suggest -- not as convenient but does the trick. You can also install an outlet controlled by a wireless remote -- probably cost $50-$60 for the outlet and remote.

I am looking for a lamp similar to the George Nelson bubble wall sconce but wondering if there are other similar options in the market. The price is not outrageous, but has anyone seen something similar out there for less?

lightenup--the sconce has a twist-type switch. So I'm guessing that once the fixture is down, I can install a simple outlet with switch but the mechanism is already there--I'd just be swapping out the fixture.

I have a toddler so I won't be going with a remote. She uses them all as phones ("Hello? Applesauce? Ok, applesauce.").

I've gotten a few good deals from Homeclick.com lately.

I just got their new catalog with my delivery and they are selling Fagor kitchen appliances and packages at a big discount. The discount doesn't seem to be reflected on the website but it definitely is in the catalog. Cooktop, hood, refrigerator, free standing dishwasher and cabinet, etc. These are modern and smaller appliances great for urban apartments.

cmcinnyc - I'm having the exact same thing done in reverse (putting pendants in corner off the switch for the ceiling fixture) at a client's apt. this week. The electrician is going to pull the connection from the center fixture over to the corner so the pendants can be hung. I need the pendants to be hardwired so that no cords are showing. I'll let you know how it goes, how long it takes him and how much it costs.

lightenup - That's a great idea about the remote for the light switch. I just emailed the electrician because I was concerned how the client would turn off the lights at night other than getting out of bed to hit the switch at the door. I'm absolutely using the remote as a solution. Thanks!

Anyone know how to clean needlepoint? I have a beautiful pillow that was made and given to me by an old woman (long dead now) when I was very young. The colors are rich, beautiful, and varied and I don't want to do anything to wreck it - it's very precious. It's never been cleaned. Should I dry clean it?

Sweet Pea, I'm looking at the latest issue of Domino and there's a mirror in there that's similar to the one you're looking for. It's by Baker, it's called Bamboo and it's at the Tribeca store.
$1590 retail.

I have a lighting question as well - Does anyone know where I can find a lamp that is similar to the one from Miranda's apartment on Sex & The City? It's a wooden floor lamp and it's photo #5 if you go to the link below: http://www.hbo.com/city/interiors/miranda.shtml

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thanks.

leslie3409 - I just saw that lamp somewhere, but drawing a blank. I'm sure someone's got that info at their fingertips.

But, am inspired by the SATC link - need to go through all those pics again for ideas. Love those interiors.