apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Was there a SF cure thread on Friday? For the life of me, I can't find it.

I don't think so, Mrs Olkid.

Plumbing question - both the kitchen and bathroom faucets in my apartment require parts which are no longer available as the company no longer makes faucets or parts. My question is can I assume that a new fitting from a different manufacturer, that is the same overall dimension, will work with the existing pipes? The kitchen tap is a single lever with spray on a base that is overall 10 inches. The bathroom taps are 4 inches from centre screw to centre screw. I hope to be able to buy the new taps myself and have a plumber install them but I know very little about plumbing.

Gallivant, if you are in SF, I suggest taking pictures of your situation to bring to JC Plumbing. They will probably have some ideas for you.

My own question: We are demo-ing a portion of our 1920's home. I am hoping to salvage as much as possible, i.e.-- vintage windows, doors, toilet, sink, etc. Our contractor will charge extra for salvage service. Is there a company in SF that will pick up these items so that we don't have to send them to a landfill or pay a surcharge?

wig3000,

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/hardware-lumber-building-supplies/building-resources-017452

Hi everyone- I know this isn't design related, but I trust you guys' judgement, so here goes:)
I will be visiting SF for the first time in a few weeks (VERY excited!!) I am in the process of looking for a hotel, and unfortunately am on a pretty tight budget. I've found a few in my price range online, and most of those seem to be a few blocks from Union Square. Any feedback on that area? A few reviews said it was a little sketchy, so I just want some feedback before I make a reservation. I'm pretty easygoing, and my boyfriend will be with me, so I'm not too worried. I guess I want a little peace of mind from some people who know before i book a room in the 'hood!! Thanks in advance for any info:) Or any cool places to shop/eat/drink/must see!!

Brooke(nc),

It is a bit sketchy over there, but it's on a block-by-block basis. Union square and the main tourist/shopping area lies just east of the Tenderloin, which is one of the sketchiest areas of SF. That said, I work in the Union Square area and walk to and from the public transit on the outskirts of the Tenderloin every night. It's just a matter of being aware of your surroundings - I never have felt unsafe.

If you can give me some specifics, I can definitely tell you which blocks to avoid and which would be ok. Offhand I'd say south of Ellis and west of Taylor avoid for sure. Turk street between Taylor and Jones is sketch city - I wouldn't feel comfortable walking over there during the day. Hope this helps!

I agree with cleverpssuedonym, it might very well be sketchy, but it depends. If you post the hotel names, or addresses, I could give you a better idea.

As for places to visit, ATSF has covered a lot of the best shops, but in general the Mission is a cool area for food/shops, as is Hayes Valley. Both are good for just wandering around in.

brooke(nc),

Don't book in the Tenderloin. Union Square, which is a bit east of the Tenderloin, is as safe as any city.

I like the Joie de Vivre hotels. They cover a number of price points:
http://www.jdvhotels.com

Or try the Days Inn in Hayes Valley for a location with great boutique shops and fun dining:
415-864-4040

I second visiting the Mission. That's actually my hood. Wander up and down Valencia and check out all the shops and restaurants. Therapy is great for clothes and housewares. If the weather is nice head up to Zeitgeist and get a beer and sit in the beer garden (It'll probably be packed so lots of good people watching) or pick up a sandwich at Bi-Rite market and sit on the grass in Dolores Park and enjoy the sunshine. Get a scoop of ice cream at Bi-Rite's creamery too - the salted caramel is delicious.

For the life of me, I'd like to be able to find some mid-range patio furniture. I can't yet afford a $3K for 5-piece set (though I'd love one!) meant to last three decades, but don't want to waste $1K on a set that will be in the trash in two years.

Does anyone know of some stylish, well made patio furniture that's meant to last say, five or more years, if not a lifetime?

brooke(nc), if you're from a small town in the midwest, just about anywhere in SF is "sketchy" except maybe SeaCliff. And I don't think they have any hotels. Union Square is as "safe" as any downtown locale in a port city (Seattle, LA, NYC, etc). There are transients, pickpockets, drug abusers, as well as tourists, students, business people, shoppers, and people just passing the time o'day.

I like to stay in the small B&B's on Bush and Pine Streets, a few blocks from union square. There's also a fun place on the corner of Grant and Bush across from the south gate to China Town.

North Beach is a wonderful place to stay -- it's halfway between the warf and union square.

A B&B in Noe Valley, the Castro, or Cow Hollow would put you a little ways from downtown in neighborhoods with excellent food that the locals eat and away from the tourist traps. Remember: SF is only 7 miles square.

I'd plan to stay near the places you want to visit. If you're into downtown shopping or going to a convention, stay in Union Square or SOMA. If you're there for excellent food, stay in North Beach where you have easy access to downtown, china town, italian, and some quirky "ethnic" foods like ethiopian and south american.

My favorite all time place to eat? It's in the Castro. La Mediterranee, on Noe at Castro. Mmmmmm. Been going there since I was 10. How many restaurants do you know that have been in business for more than 30 years? Super affordable, too.

have a good trip!

kimg924 - outdoor furniture just isn't made to last more than 10 years (even the high end stuff). It can certainly last that long if you take good care of it and have it re-treated every so often but anything out in the elements just isn't going to last a lifetime. So accept that fact and find something within your pricerange that you like.

Thanks, Leslie! We've already had two reps from Building Resources call us with regard to our salvage.

kimg924, we have an Ikea outdoor furniture set that has worked really well for us over the past four years. Ikea is having a sale on outdoor furniture next month too!:
http://info.ikea-usa.com/IKEAThemes/outdoorliving052207.htm

I'm in that transitional phase when I'm ready to buy some protein furniture...but, like everyone, i'm trying to buy things as I get the money saved up. I'm coveting a mirrored chest at z gallerie

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-1285-67-borghese-3-drawer-dresser.aspx

and the leah desk from pottery barn with (doh!) someone had on craigs the other day but already sold :-(

which should i spend on first?

wow this topic is perfect for me. I thought posting on it but never got around to it. I'm going to San Francisco in the end of April. How is Handlery for a hotel? I don't really have any choice it was booked for me for work, and I'm not going to be changing it, but I figured I would see how it was from people who might know.

I don't really know what i;m going to do besides try to find some cool shops etc (and work since that's why i'm going) Anything i have to do or need to see?

Ooh, saintmims, I vote for the leah desk. It is on sale now too.

jmorey, there is too much going on in SF. AT:SF has recommended many shops. There are also some great shop recommendations on Design*Sponge's guide to SF. Have fun!

We're about to make our toilet purchase (sorry if this topic is getting old). It shall be either the Toto Aquia, the Toto Ultimate, or the new Toto Eco Ultramax. I'm particularly curious as to whether anyone owns the Ultramax. It uses 1.28 gallons for every flush rather than the standard low flush of 1.6. Does it really get the job done???

http://www.totousa.com/productpage.asp?PID=985
and
http://www.insidestore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=32207&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=TOT-CST414M

jmorey, SF is such an amazing city -- please don't waste your trip by getting sucked into just shopping, shopping, shopping!

Things I love:
* The GG bridge (walk it, and wear layers)
* The live music -- http://www.biscuitsandblues.com/ is an old fashioned supper club. Get tix for a dinner show!
* Cocktails and piano music at http://www.topofthemark.com/
* Fabulous live satire/cabaret at http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/ And have dinner at jmorey, SF is such an amazing city -- please don't waste your trip by getting sucked into just shopping, shopping, shopping!

Things I love:
* The GG bridge (walk it, and wear layers)
* The live music -- http://www.biscuitsandblues.com/ is an old fashioned supper club. Get tix for a dinner show!
* Cocktails and piano music at http://www.topofthemark.com/
* Fabulous live satire/cabaret at http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/
* And while you're in north beach, have dinner at http://www.stepsofrome.com/ (the cafe, not the trattoria, though the kitchen is the same, the ambiance at the cafe is boisterous)
* City Lights Bookstore (also while you're in North Beach) http://www.citylights.com/
* The arboretum in Golden Gate Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden, and the De Young Museeum
* Take a ferry ride from the SF ferry building to Sausalio, and have lunch or dinner with a view of the city
* I strongly suggest avoiding fisherman's warf/pier 39. It's just a tourist trap
* Check out Mission Dolores http://www.missiondolores.org/ if you're in to CA history, and get some fish tacos while you're in the Mission
* On sundays, most of the golden gate park is closed to traffic. You can rent a bike or roller skates and see the park on wheels. The Conservatory of Flowers http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/ is a wonderful way to see some exotic plants and authentic victorian architecture
* Cable car ride from Union Square up to the spine of Russian Hill and walk down famous Lombard street into North Beach or China Town.
http://www.sfcablecar.com/routes.html
* The Cable Car Museeum http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

In fact, if I were to propose an itinerary.....
Start early on Friday morning. Take the cable car to russian hill, walk down lombard to Columbus. Visit City Lights bookstore and get an espresso (no one makes espresso like the Italians!). Then walk to China Town for lunch. Persuing the shops and architecture is a treat. Head back to North Beach for a showing of Beach Blanket Babylon, and have dinner at Steps of Rome.

On Saturday, go the old Ferry building and pick up brunch from the various vendors. Take the Ferrry to Sausalito and wander around. Come back to SF dinner and show at Bicuits and Blues.

Spend Sunday in GG park doing the museeums, gardens, and arboretum. Walk around Stowe Lake and have tea at the tea gardens. Head to the Castro for dinner at La Med on Noe at Market. Take in desert at Cafe Flor across the street or head back down town for some live music at any number of clubs on Broadway or Columbus (Check out the Bay Guardian paper for show listings)

thanks for the tips. I'm going to be there from a sunday to wednesday so i won't be able to do your itinerary exactly, but i'll see how many of them i can hit. Plus during normal work hours, that's what i'll be doing, at the office.

I definitely don't plan on shopping a lot, so i'll try and see as many sites as i can while i'm there.