apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Finally!! Ikea is finally getting their summer patio furniture online. It's not all up yet, but I gather that there will be more dining suites over the coming weeks.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/14201

As a rule I buy only protein furniture, new or used. Mom taught me that if you buy cheap, you'll buy it several times over again. This has proven to be true, but is also unfortunate when your tastes have changed but your belongings have not worn out.

In any case, I'm shopping for carbs. My local store finally has a full display of the summer line, so I'm going in this week for a "chair tasting." Has anyone checked these out yet? Opinions?

PS -- they are still working out their nav. To get to furniture, you have to click summer collection at the bottom of the nav on the page above. Or use this link:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/14201/14202/

hi everyone.

i have a question for anyone who has ever stained/sealed any wood. i am building a bar top out of cypress and mahogany. every clear finish i have tried has turned it too yellow. does anyone have any suggestions about what i could use that would keep it closest to the natural color and still protect the wood?

thanks in advance

rachel

Can anyone recommend the perfect light gray blue color?
I can't deal with baby blue walls.
thanks

amandadom,

Is this too gray for you? Third photo down:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/house-tours/at-book-alert-update-on-victoria-047266

You can see more of it here:
http://sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com/2008/04/entr-veuillez.html

can anyone suggest somewhere in the city to get a cute chair that could double as a desk and living room chair? maybe something upholstered in a cute fabric? and around $100?

queenbikini, try thrifttown or craigslist!

Rachel, I've made a few table tops out of cypress and haven't found anything that keeps it looking exactly like the beautiful original color. Polyurethane is the closest to clear I've found, and is better for wet areas like a bar top, but it does go slightly yellow. My favorite finish is tung oil, which keeps the wood looking more natural and hand-rubbed, but it turns wood colors slightly more red. I prefer this to yellow, especially for more reddish woods like mahogany and cypress. In the end I left my table tops completely bare. Good luck!

Just spent some time at an absolutely gorgeous shop in the Elmwood, in Berkeley. Lola (2950 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705, 502.981.8345, www.LOLAHOME.com) is one of those spaces where you could move in if the owner, Lois Vinsel, would allow it. Actually, she is so kind and welcoming that she might just let you.
The shop is just filled with treasures. For example, MOLO paper softseating pulled up to a low table with an opened book on Piet Boon interiors on it. Tiny little silver mice hold down the pages of another book. Felt stones arranged in various ways. Two green wire chairs. Beautiful pale woods: some rustic, some highly finished. It's just wonderful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66783241@N00/2404416850/

thanks amy. i think i will have to leave it like it is. it is too pretty to cover up. i just needed someone to confirm what i suspected.

Leslie,
Good recommendation to amandadom!
According to the link, it's called Silver Cloud from BM.
Very pretty!