apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have white furniture....as well as white cloth dining chairs. I always anticipate disaster when one of the grandkids come over since all three are under the age of 4. I know the big accident will eventually come, but I'll deal with it when it happens. It's just STUFF.....it can always be cleaned or replaced later. It is all worth it for that fabulous white on white look.

Forgot to say the molding looks odd. Interesting, but odd.

As a suburban Aussie, I have never had this problem, but it is very interesting! I think I would be devastated if my white furniture got this grotty.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed very white (though not all-white) interiors as a reprieve and refuge from the soot-covered air of turn-of-the-century Glasgow. This article makes me wonder how clean those spaces were in their day, but then again, there were also servants back then to keep things in order.

the molding looks like a dust trap museum.

the idea of a white rug in manhattan is funny.

What's odd about this piece is that the people featured are focused on what all that 'schmutz' is doing to their pristine carpeting (btw: anyone who has white or cream wall-to-wall is just asking for trouble) or drapes rather than their health.

Your survey is faulty. There's no "yes and it's not a hassle" option. I used to have an almost all-white apartment until my boyfriend moved in. I entertained a lot and even served red wine and no problems. Here are a few suggestions:

--Everything should be machine washable. I had white cotton slipcovered chairs from Room & Board. Those went right in the washer and dryer. White bedspread the same. Even my white flokati rugs are machine washable.
--Always have those Magic sponge things on hand. I have no idea what's in them or how they work, but they're amazing.
--Close your windows when you leave the house. It's amazing how much less dust and dirt accumulates.
--Take off your shoes when you come in the apartment.
--Watch out for denim. The biggest enemy of white furniture, whether leather or fabric, is denim, especially dark denim.
--Lighten up. Being neurotic about your white furniture is a bore, especially for your guests.

I grew up changing into house clothes, a practice I have continued into my adulthood. It definitely helps with white furniture.

I moved into an apartment with light cream carpeting. The carpeting was definitely not my choice, but it beat my last apartment, which had grass green shag carpeting.

I have good luck with the apartment complex management. They pay for a cleaning every year. I keep spot cleaners on hand for trouble spots. But, you know what, they're all trouble spots! I just do my best.

I am a believer in removing your shoes when you come home. The short, soft carpeting actually feels good on the feet. In my first few years in New York, I was asked into the home of a Chinese-American colleague, and she insisted on immediate shoe removal. I thought it was so exotic at the time, but now it just makes good sense. Why does all the dirt, grease, and other contaminants from outside need to be tracked around the house?

I would wonder about anyone who insisted on complete white in New York City. The apartments are tiny, but the maintenance would be very time-consuming. People who have never lived in the city don't realize that many people don't have control over their thermostats, and have to open and close the windows to adjust the temperature. The soot does come in!

I notice that Meyer's organic products has come out with a wipe that's packaged like Pledge wipes. Keeping packs of things like that in discreet spots help cuts down the grime. If you see a film of grime in an area of your apartment, pull out a wipe and clean it when you see it. You'll save yourself a lot of time.

I love that wall of moulding. It's just amazing. Yes, it probably does gather a certain amount of dust, but it looks like it would be fun to wipe it down.

I have white sheets and white furniture and I am always trying to keep it clean because 1. I am a klutz and 2. I have a cat :P But it's absolutely amazing!!! Worth it (ask me again in a month or two though...haha)

white sofa
white curtains
white duvet

I obsess the first week or two I own them and then forget about it.