apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've got a white metal four-drawer lateral file cabinet in my bedroom. (I know,I know... no work in the bedroom, but it's the only place in the apartment for it!) Someone had some very classy Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper left over down in our recycling room, and I thought it might be cool to cover the file cabinet with this. Does this sound feasible for an amateur to do? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Although in theory it sounds pretty kicky, in reality it sounds rather tricky. Why? Because metal changes temperature with the room, and because I think that would make it eventually repel most kinds of adhesives that I can imagine begin used for this.

However, if you DID, I would suggest that perhaps you take the drawers out first, and (depending how wide the wallpaper is) wrapping it around the whole thing, and cutting an "X" in the blank square holes, beginning with each corner, and then trimming off excess and wrapping them to the inside and maybe taping those edges "inside" the cabinet, in addition to whatever adhesive you end up using.

And for the drawers, themselves, I guess I would hope that you unscrew the handles and remove them, before wrapping each of them (carefully centering the main pattern on them) and taping the edges behind the edges of the front of the drawer.

If the wallpaper coordinates well with the white finish of the cabinet, maybe you could leave a 2 inch border around each of the sides.

For the drawer fronts, leave a 2 inch border around the left, top, and right sides of the cabinet. The wallpaper could wrap around the bottom edge of the drawer.

2 inches is just a suggestion - I'd cut out templates and see what proportions work for this piece.

Yes, I was wondering if I might need to sand the file cabinet (lightly) before applying adhesive. I'm not sure the drawers come out ... but if not, maybe pulling them as far open as possible would allow me enough room to wrap the wallpaper around the edge of the frame to the inside. Unfortunately, the handles are not removable... they are the recessed kind, which is partly what will make this hard to do. But the idea of leaving a border around part of the frame (and maybe even the handles?) is intriguing... perhaps I could paint the part that would show a soft yellow or cream before I apply the wallpaper.

Jane, I would think that sanding is a good idea, perhaps even priming? Also, maybe there are different types of glues that can be used. Or, instead of applying the paper to the cabinet, apply it to some wood panels cut to fit and then adhere those to the cabinet.

I have a question, too. I've been looking for some new bedding, been searching various sites. And I just found a duvet cover I like at Pottery Barn. Is their quality good? Also, anyone have a good place to find chocolate brown or sepia-toned sheets? Thanks!

Diane

Jane, I would think that sanding is a good idea, perhaps even priming? Also, maybe there are different types of glues that can be used. Or, instead of applying the paper to the cabinet, apply it to some wood panels cut to fit and then adhere those to the cabinet. That way you could add handles/pulls, too.

I have a question, too. I've been looking for some new bedding, been searching various sites. And I just found a duvet cover I like at Pottery Barn. Is their quality good? Also, anyone have a good place to find chocolate brown or sepia-toned sheets? Thanks!

Diane

further to this week's mattress discussion - any opinions on Ikea mattresses? I've researched them as much as I can, but I can't find any opinions (pro or con) from anyone who has actually slept on one for a while.

related: opinions on the Ikea Hemnes daybed? It's the one that combines a queen-sized guest bed with a daybed. (That page does not seem accessible at the moment on the Ikea website, or I'd post the link. Here's the single bed: http://tinyurl.com/7ekbm)

The daybed is in white, and is a little Swedish country for my taste. I'm tempted just to steal the idea of daybed, queenbed, and storage in one, but a little daunted by the idea of such a big project.

any advice much appreciated.

Diane,
You might try Signoria di Firenze for those sheets (www.signoria.com). They actually have a couple of different shades such as espresso, mink and chocolate.
They are divine!

blue - I'd like some info. from actual owners of IKEA mattresses, too. They are affordable if they are good mattresses, but not if they are uncofmortable or wear out too soon, you know?

I was wondering if anyone knew where to find window shades (example- roman shades, etc...) made out of rice paper. I can't seen to find any that don't use another material, such as bamboo. I want a really clean look in my new house, and something that is not too expensive (I'm a cash challenged student). So if anyone has any ideas for me I would really, really appreciate it. I can't seem to find what I want anywhere

katie - could you provide some more details about what sort of features you would need in a window shade? how much privacy, how much adjustability, size & type of window you're dealing with, whether you're allowed to drill holes, that kind of thing. i assume you've already looked at ikea?

Or--have you ever heard of a product called Redi Shade? it's marketed as a fast, cheap solution for people who've just moved into a new place & need some sort of window covering ASAP for privacy. basically it's a white pleated paper shade (there's also a fabric version, slightly more expensive) that you trim to size, then peel & stick. i think you can find it at bed bath & beyond or home depot. you might want to check it out; it actually can look quite presentable & it definitely doesn't get cheaper than this (i think between $6-9 each).

when i was 19, i bought the cheapest frame ikea sold. it was essentially a box spring encased in an upholstered wooden platform with some screw-in legs. it might have been $99 or something similar. i topped it with the most expensive mattress ikea offered at the time--a kalif luxury, i think it was called.

i'm almost 27 and my partner and i have been sleeping in it ever since. it's been through 3 moves, young love and 2 terrifically ill-behaved cats. though it certainly doesn't compare to the pillow-tops and the "real" mattresses out there, and now needs replacing, it definitely served us well.

My now 6yo daughter has slept on an Ikea mattress on the floor for the last 3 years. I think we bought the Sultan Natljus model (or something like that), which was supposed to be, as I recall, the 2nd best one Ikea carried at the time. So far, it seems to have held up well. We're planning to buy a frame soon.

Any comments on the Small Space... show on HGTV yesterday? I can't even seem to remember the places they showed so, to me at least, I guess the episode wasn't too terribly exciting. Thoughts?

I was actually out seeing something live-and-in-person last night, which -- this time -- was actually pretty good. I'm counting on being home Sunday Night at 11:00pm to see the repeat, though. I really think that this show is going to be more of a destination for me on HGTV, rather than part of the default setting.

Curtis - I'm curious to see your remarks after you watch the latest episode. By the end of it, I was wondering if they will be having problems locating good homes to showcase. The tiny house with the guy and is son was interesting, I guess. Will see what your take is on it.

Good day, I found this Marimekko fabric on ebay and love it, does anyone know where I can find a similar print eithr on fabric or just as a paper print?
Doesn't need to be Marimekko, I just really love the vibe of the drawing.
Thank you

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Marimekko-Framed-Fabric_W0QQitemZ8213816526QQcategoryZ33QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm considering buying the highest-end mattress (firm) Ikea offers, and then buying one of their soft, mattress tops. This might help the situation posted by Carol, above. It seems to make sense. Firm mattress is good for your body, but soft top is good for allowing for arms folded under your head, etc. Maybe?

I'm replying about Ikea mattresses. Mine is sultan svandal. It is too hard. I wake up and my arms have fallen asleep because there is no circulation. This happens to my husband too. My shoulder pain feels much worse after a night of sleep. Svandal is their firmest mattress. I wouldn't recommend it unless you like sleeping on futons or the floor.

I just recently purchased an IKEA DALSELV KS bedframe and was looking for a firm mattress for it ... was looking at the SULTAN STUREFORS/SVANDAL, but was wondering how it compares to a REST ASSURED pocket sprung mattress?, I love this mattress but it doesn't fit the frame neatly, it seems IKEA makes oversize frames!!!

IKEA MATTRESSES- I know this post was almost a year old but I figured since I own one, I'd reply. I have a queen size mattress that I bought about five years ago at Ikea in Toronto. It has been a great mattress except for recently with the addition of a sleeping partner, I find if we end up near each other in the middle of the bed by morning, I wake up with a sore lower back since the mattress 'gives' in the centre. I bought the Sultan and I think it's medium-firm...I'm about to buy another, this time their 'firm' model. I should also add, that this mattress was stored on its end for three months about six months after I bought it (returned to west coast and stored it until i went back to pack everything up), and I'm sure that having it stored on its end didn't help matters. Sidenote: I have had a few comments over the years regarding how comfortable the mattress is. Hope this helps.

IKEA Kalif Luxury Mattress purchased early 2001. (Best mattress they offered at the time.) Never very comfortable from night one. Currently purchasing a Serta Posturpedic. IKEA mattresses won't last very long and are not made very well. Don't buy one. Waste of money. Buy a real mattress from a reputable mattress distributor or department store (Macy's).

I own an Ikea mattress and I was just thinking about replacing it--with another Ikea mattress. I bought a Sultan Hamno about five years ago. It's had some fairly hard use. Anyway, I just noticed that it's a bit lumpy and worn. I was thinking about buying another mattress when I remembered that this model is reversible. If flipping it works and it ends up being just as good as it was for another five years (or even three) then I think it was a nice bargain for $240, which is what it cost in the "as is" area of Ikea five years ago. It's not the best mattress in the world but it's the best budget mattress I've slept on. It's medium firm and quite nice overall but the top inch or so is very soft and not quite as nice as the soft tops on some mattresses.