I want to start by saying that I'm sorry about getting so heated about "twee" and "kitsch" the other day -- I can't withdraw my remarks about the so-called art but I'm sorry I said anything -- people are entitled to their taste. Anyway, the real point I wanted to make was that any individual item (the twittering canary smoke detector, for instance) may be very appealing but the risk is that people's houses will fill up with them -- one such item is playful, a houseful becomes expensive clutter. Another case in point is how thin the ironic design gesture has become -- I think the Ghost chairs will last much longer -- they have a classic shape, the joke is great fun, and their transparency is an asset in our goods-filled spaces -- but if you add a 2-D plexi table lamp, another lamp pretending to be an AK-47, a luminescent green plastic trophy deer head and so on the space starts getting awfully busy. I speak as someone who attracts whimsical objects constantly and has to pare pare pare.

Anyway -- I think this umbrella gets it right -- dappled light -- but it does seem expensive. It's in line with other patio umbrellas -- for instance, http://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod520109p&categoryId=cat240009p, but I doubt if it's as sturdy as a canvas umbrella.

Deborah - where were your heated remarks? Can't find anything obvious in your comments list. I don't want to mis anything...

I dislike a lot of the twee too.

Actually, I think this umbrella is rather precious (not in a good way). And useless as an umbrella too, since it's full of holes. It would be fun for novelty sake maybe at a cafe.

I'd love it indoors as a canopy of sorts over a kid's bed.

Or in a modern production of Midsummer's Night Dream.

Pixie--

Deborah's "rant" (though pretty tame as rants go) was on the Bird/Smoke Detector thread.

That was a rant, Deborah? If so, you are a beacon of calm and mildness, the kind of person one wants to stroll with through upscale "lifestyle centers," carefully avoiding Anthropologie.

Well, I would say her (and MrGreen's) commentary on the art was a little dicey...). But I'm hypersensitive about art, since it is so personal and so directly attached to the person creating it.

A beacon of calm and mildness. I like it! True confession -- I am a diplomat by trade, so "twee" seems like strong language.

I think these umbrellas would be charming for a season, and I do like the idea of using them in a stage set. They would indeed be useless in a storm.

Most outdoor umbrellas are not only useless in a storm, but a liability.

Found it! Deborah - I didn't even see kitsch used anywhere in the thread. But "gooey" - my, such strong language!

I do agree with Patrick (TOO) that my remark was gratuitous and now I've done apologizing.

Here are a few questions about things to be done in my apartment -- because everytime I do anything or have anything done it turns out that everything is much more complicated than I'd thought.

I may have asked this/these before and not been able to find the answers --

--In 3 places I have plastic HomeDepot-type plastic spotlights, wired into concrete ceiling (covered with plaster -- in most of the apartment it's popcorn ceiling -- not a fan but I'm also not prepared any time soon to do what it'll take to get rid of it). Apart from being sure that the base of the new fixtures covers the space being opened, to prevent a visible scar, is there anything I have to think about?
--In the kitchen there is a long plastic covered box with fluorescent tubes. I'm pretty sure the kitchen ceiling is concrete too, but it might be drywall over a space. What happens when I take that fixture down? is rewiring and patching a mega-pain?
--in the bathroom there is what appears to be a dropped drywall ceiling, into which a recessed light has been set (there's also a light wired into the medicine cabinet, which I will also replace). Is it a big deal to replace the existing light with another one (more attractive, also recessed), and what are pros and cons of installing a second recessed light over the tub/shower?

I found several discussions on AT about using cable as a substitute for curtain rods. It has emerged that using a curtain most of the width of one wall to cover my closets (actually one small closet and a half closet) is the best solution but since I will be opening and closing it a lot I'm not sure if cable is the answer. Also -- I will probably go for a lined curtain so it has some substance, which I think might be too heavy. I'd appreciate some feedback from people who've done this on the question of suitability of cable for curtains in regular use (that is, not being used as room dividers). Has anyone installed hospital track in a concrete ceiling?

Thanks, everyone.

Hey, Deborah, no one is going to find your questions here.

Better to repost on an Open Thread, or submit one or two as "Good Questions."

thanks, I wasn't sure quite how to go about it.

I'd be very interested in your fluorescent fixture issue, Deborah, since I have the same horrible one. Please do post in on an open thread!

The description of the Shady Lace Parasol from Droog on Conran's website is incorrect in saying these are "stencil cut" plastic. They are actually polyester thread knitted on the renowned Belgium lacing machines. "Stencil cut plastic" sounds like something cheaply made and easily torn, and this is much better made.

The shade can be hand with a mild detergent if it becomes soiled. It's meant as dappled shade from the sun, like sitting under a tree, rather than as an umbrella or patio umbrella.

Oops--I meant "can be hand washed" in that last comment.