apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm trying to give my condo a Bohemian look. I'm using Cherries Jubilee in the livingroom/kitchen http://www.duron.com/services/architects_designers/color_spaces/duronColor/search.asp?row_id=1&group_id=5

My sofa will be either beige or brown. But do you guys think purple/orange will look okay with this? Also how about an irredecent blue/green?

Does anyone remember the url of that free color site that lets you upload a picture and then pulls out blocks of all the colors? There's a post below (the pretty fall trees) but that's not the site I'm looking for. Thanks!

I Love Upstate,

Is this it?
http://jrm.cc/color-palette-generator/

Yes! Thanks so much Sasha!

Does anyone know of any moving companies that would be willing to just show up at the new apartment and help carry your stuff up a few flights? My husband and I want to rent a UHaul to transport our things, but we can't carry everything up to our new 4th floor walk-up on our own. Has anyone done this before? Who did you use?

Thanks!

Hi! Sasha - I have heard of emove.com where you can hire guys by the hour to help you carry/move your stuff. Or you could think of posting on craigslist?

Does anyone know where to get organic and/or recycled wool felt? I'm in need of finding some for a project.

Thanks!

I bought a sofa but am going to get a custom slipcover for it. I was informed that I have to provide the fabric. Can anybody recommend a nice classy looking fabric that looks beautiful white, but is tough enough to withstand a sporty(sweaty) husband and dogs?
1) bull denim
2) duck
3) canvas
4) ?

8ry - you could look into getting some White Matelasse fabric. It is a strong double-sided fabric that usually comes in plain and pretty patterns. Also, what about micro-fiber? Many sofas are being covered in micro-fiber these days because it is really strong and hard to stain/easy to clean. Good luck!

Thanks DMartini! I'll look those up

Sasha,
I used a company called Movage to move within my building (while my place was being renovated) then back 6 months later.
Their # is 718-292-7000. They were very good and charged a (reasonable) flat rate.

Sasha, please dont use Uhaul. Its really not worth the stress. Just google Uhaul and you will see what I mean. Spend the extra money for Budget or Penske. Uhaul doesnt honor their reservations and their trucks are often in bad condition ( broken lights, dodgy brakes) . Just thinking about the staff over at Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn makes my blood boil.

Anyway I have used Going Gods Way Movers at 917 676 1251 for very small moves. I was very happy with the service.

Thanks for the tips DMartini, GHB, and Trumystique!

I had no idea Uhaul was so sketchy. Good to know.

Instead of renting a truck and hiring labor separately, you might check into some of the "two guys with a truck" services that exist in most places. They're not moving companies, but if all you need is the truck and labor (no packing, insurance, etc.), it might be easier than coordinating the elements separately. I've done this for a local move.

I've used Eric Shiiba's "Man With A Van" service several times and he's wonderful...and cheap too! Cell: 646-696-1346. He charged me like $120 to move 2 couches and 2 large chairs from NJ to Queens.

I've used all star moving multiple times and have always been really happy with their service.

Anyone know a good place to buy fairly inexpensive lamps? I can't seem to find nice modern-looking lamps within my budget. I want to get matching lamps for two bedside tables but I can't afford to pay more than $100 for each. Thanks!

On the bad condition of Uhaul trucks: be wary of their trailers too. You would think there's less to worry about because they're basically just a box on wheels, no mechanicals. But no.

A couple of years ago when I was moving from Los Angeles to Denver, we rented one of those little Uhaul trailers to pull behind us. The plan was to stay in a campground that night (cheaper than a hotel). So just before we headed up the winding mountain road to the campground, we stopped at some stripmall to get something to eat... and luckily happened to notice that one of the trailer's wheels was oval! The rim was all bent, the metal was actually ripping/disintegrating. We weren't overloaded, if anything we were well underweight, had done a cursory check of the trailer before we left Uhaul and everything looked fine.

If we hadn't stopped for food, the wheel would have collapsed or fallen off or something else horrible. We literally could have died driving up the mountain. Because of crappy Uhaul.

amanda / goombs: i love cb2.com lights, and they're really inexpensive but very quality/solid.

kdkaboom - thanks for posting that. Didn't know cb2 had good, well priced lighting--I'll keep them in mind.

AmandaC - My first choice for modern lamps at modest prices is Ikea. Before I moved to the hinterland I purchased three table lamps for a bedroom as well as a wall lamp and a ceiling fixture, and I've been pleased with all of them.

On the other hand, I bought my orange-trimmed lamp

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7765379@N03/1681402084/

from Overstock. Most of their lamps are traditional, but some are modern. Here is one that I would consider:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Spiral-Table-Lamp/2684546/product.html

(no idea whether that is anywhere close to what you want).

Inexpensive lamps -
CB2
West Elm
Target (Thomas O'Brien and Victoria Hagan)
Pier 1
Salvation Army
Overstock

thanks for the tips everyone! I'm going to try and run to Pier 1 this weekend :)

Is there a way to compost in an apartment? Most of the buckets I've seen seem meant for use between visits to an outdoor compost pile, which I wouldn't have in an apartment. However, just throwing away kitchen scraps seems wasteful. Any ideas?

eaevansmd:
worms.
some of my friends have them. they live in a box about the size of a milk crate, maybe a bit bigger, and eat your food scraps.