apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I, too, like this episode more than the first. (Missed the 2nd, as well.) Probably some truth to the supposition that lingering more diligently over fewer small spaces could become tedious. And, I appreciate being able to run to the fridge during the segments I don't like.

Also agree that interesting homeowners make a difference... though I did like the Chelsea family from ep 1. Marlon does have an infectious spirit. Loved the way they showed alternate options for the green... which I do still love for the record. And the removal of the gun from the bedroom wall was a plus.

Yea! for Marlon on the last nights SSBS. While his green dream apartment was not my favorite from the AT contest, his enthusiasm gave me a much better appreciation for what he wanted from the space. Any other AT vets going to show up on this show?

I am also slowly starting to like SSBS. I also thought Marlon was likeable and was amused to learn that the controversial boxing nuns display is actually a rotating mini-gallery.

I'm still frustrated with the 1200 sq foot remodeled places. Show me more renters who don't know a darned thing about remodeling!

Ps-- how bad is it that I was so engrossed in a commercial that I forgot I could ffwd it since it was DVR'd?

Questions:

Does anyone know if those IKEA wall-mounted tables are any good?

Does anyone have and like the cb2 arrey bookcase and recommend it (I know there was a previous post, but am hoping there are more opinions out there).

Finally, a recommendation: I decorated my office (at my job, not a home office) with art from Overstock and people reacted really well to it. If you get lucky, you can find good stuff for decent prices on there (and they delivered for $1.)

I was out last night and saw something live and in person, and yet, I feel like I really missed something by not seeing Marlon's green pad! I hope this show catches on well enough so that I'll be seeing re-runs forever, then.

Meanwhile, I think Enterprise has their nerve, Guido, and although I let my licence lapse in 1987, because I have no intention of driving, and I love the public transit system, despite all its faults, I still think I smell a class-action suit on the horizon about that same-last-name thing. I could ALMOST understand it if the company had been existing ever since the days when that kind of thing made since, and was accidentally grandfathered down, but for a "new policy" like that, they should probably get boycotted.

They won't accept a second driver without shared name *at all*, or they won't do it for free?

My own experience with rental car companies is that you call back on a different shift and get a different answer...

Agree with doug that the cycling through the alternate colors was a great idea. The idea was from Marlon obviously as he explained his black and white furniture choice but the way it was executed simply and realistically was also very good.

Agree with Karenw also on the >1000 sqft places. Heck, even >750 I think is pushing it in terms of uniqueness and opportunity for innovation.

Guido, have I not mentioned zipcar on AT yet? Do it! You will never regret it. Well, the only thing that you might not like is that they have become so popular now that, even with more cars than ever, you now need to plan well in advance for weekends so the spontaneity that was once there is gone. Weekdays are pretty much open so you can still get a car for a couple of hours for that Ikea, Costco or Target run at short notice but then you'd need to take time off work for that.

Anybody spend anytime in the Patrik office chair from Ikea?
I think it's cute online, but I don't want o destroy my back....

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=43004&langId=-1&parentCats=10121*10403

Look out for Marlon's green apt on tonight's episode of SSBS

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/main/archives/003458.html

CTRL F or Apple F and search for Marlon in that thread

I just went to Ikea last weekend and this chair was on my list of things to pick up. However, after sitting in it, I decided against it. Very stiff and not ergonomic at all. Didn't like it.

CB2 has something similar:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=302&f=2045

I have the Studio Office chair and I love it -- it's comfy and supportive:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=302&f=1138

THANK YOU Amber and Kathryn...I had been looking at the Studio Office chair as well, and thought it couldn't be comfortable...hmmmm

Does anyone know where to buy loose palm fronds or other similar large green leaves? Throwing a tiki-themed shower this weekend and thought they'd be a nice touch on the chair backs. Budget conscious, as always.

Hello,
I am having a problem with noise reverberation in my co-op apartment. I believe the source is the A/C window unit in the apartment below me.
I am looking for solutions to this. First I called a soundproofing company who suggested I call an HVAC company. It's been hard to find HVAC companies in my area, but the one I did talk to wasn't very helpful. There must be others.
Are there engineers I should call? Home inspectors? I need a professional to make an onsite visit to assess/measure the problem, offer solutions, or tell me if there are none to be had. I can't imagine I am the first person with this problem. I can't stand the rumbling sound in my apartment. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated..

Are the CB2 chairs in the regular old Crate & Barrel in NYC? The site only lists Chicago stores...

CB2 is only web or Chicago stores.
And hey, if looking for CB2 stuff, click through the banners currently on AT so the traffic is trackable to us savvy AT loyalists!!

Wren -
Caribbean Cuts on 28th Street is your very best bet.

Okay, Marlon wins the award for style hottie this week on Small Space Big Style!

New question...
I'm trying to hang up two 8x10" pictures with mattes in 11" x 14" frames. One picture is vertical and one is horizontal. What is the best way to hang these on a wall, i.e. vertical first and horizontal second having the horizontal top slighty below the top of the vertical, etc.
Thanks!

jamie pup. Thanks for the heads up on Marlon's apartment. I still don't love SSBS (despite MGR), but I loved seeing Marlon presenting his place. As much as I loved his place during the Smallest, Coolest contest, I loved it even more after seeing it on the show. Such a great sense of style. And Marlon's energy and enthusiasm was so infectious. How can you not love this guy? (PS Why no close-up of the DIY Louis Vuitton turntable slip-mats?)

Okay, okay... Not that this will matter to anyone, but--after fully viewing my 2nd episode of SSBS (I missed last week's ep)--I have revised my take on the show. I actually like it. (I'm a big enough person to admit when I'm wrong--mostly because I often am!) I appreciate the quick, breezy pace of the show. And the format of host plus 3 talking heads kind of works, particularly in terms of adding different perspectives on each space. But I think it's highlighting the personalities of the owner/occupants that really make the show. I think the first episode bored me to tears because--and I apologize for this in advance--those owner/occupants bored me to tears. I guess the challenge for the producers of the show is to find interesting, telegenic personalities with interesting small homes. Shutting up now.

(Ugh. Forgive the poor grammar of my last post. A little too much Port with dessert...)

Hey Enrique,
I find myself agreeing with you yet again - at least after your reassessment of SSBS :)

I too like Marlon's place a lot more after seeing him explain his choices in an unpretentious and yes enthusiastic way. You lament the fact that we did not get a close up of the LV silp mats? I wish we got a shot of the Cristal and Twinkie filled fridge.

I said after the first episode of SSBS that I liked the pace mainly because I was used to seeing to lot of renos/interiors and was used to the process so did not need that explaining to me. Howvever, what I did not latch onto at the time was that I was trying to watch the shows on playback on the DVR while my wife was hovering around wanting to watch something else. Whenever that happens I try to FF thru the boring bits (and there have been one or two in each show) and try and view as quickly as possible in short chunks. So the pace matches the pace that I find myself watching the show in. I don't need lingering shots to be able to take it in. I hope that makes sense. Plus the short segments help keep the boring home sections short and I don't need any lingering shots of furniture etc.

Oops, forgive the redundant last few words.

Why is it so hard for ATers to get out of town and take pictures of yurts?

Perhaps this.... just in from the mad mad world of car rentals . . .

Enterprise has a new policy on 2nd drivers.
They'll only accept SPOUSES WITH THE SAME NAME!!!

So . . . lesbian/gay lover, or lawful wife who doesn't have her husband's name on the driver's license, or who ever else you might take a trip with won't be accepted as a second driver.

My Zipcar future ahead ...

btw, I was told this today by a Brooklyn NY Enterprise outlet. " New Policy"

Hi all,

I'm currently undergoing the bathroom remodel from hell. First the windows didn't get ordered, then they did but they were the wrong material (vinyl not wood), the wrong sizes (too small), the wrong style (double hung not awning). The vanity top we were quoted didn't exist. They shimmed out the walls so much they had to move the hole for the toilet which is embedded in concrete 3/4 of an inch! The list goes on. My current gripe is the custom mirror they promised they could deliver on. I want a 36" by 60" mirror, like either the Minimal Mirror or the Atlanta Mirror from DWR. I gave them pictures, they said, "yup we can do that, that'll be $600, thank you very much." We said okay. The contractor from hell just bought the frame sample around and it's curved plastic covered in a chrome film. I want to cry. Fortunately we are paying for things as and when they are done so the mirror has not been paid for. Can anyone recommend a place that does a mirror in the size I'm after (36" by 60"). Right now, as long as it looks contemporary and not like a piece of junk I'll take it. Thanks!

Reef