apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I was wondering if you guys knew of a good storage trunk that would go well with a mid-century/modern theme. Just something for keepsakes and stuff like that. I like the Taka trunks at crate and barrel but they wouldn't go well except hidden in a basement or attic, they are just too dark and rustic for me.

Thanks,

-Mike

Mike, i think going for a polar opposite of MCM may do the trick for you. Something to balance out the look of your place, you know? Something unique and not typically found in a catalogue. These may be too rustic but perhaps pieces similar to these would resonate with you:

http://tibetanwonders.com/BirdTrunk.html
http://www.southerncraftsmensguild.com/products.php?cat=15
http://www.easterncurio.com/easten%20curio/Afurniture/Furniture7TrunkChest.htm

authentc retro vinyl sewing box/storage bench
http://cgi.ebay.com/RETRO-60s-70s-Sewing-STOOL-Ottoman-mid-century-modern_W0QQitemZ180293578332QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180293578332&_trkparms=72%3A1209%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Ikea PS cabinets
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00086683
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00100194
(Ikea also has metal storage boxes with lids)

MCM looking storage bench from UO (also available in vinyl)
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=15518848&parentid=A_FURN_FURNITURE_TABLES&sortProperties=&navCount=24&navAction=poppushpushpush&color=

lots of options from the container store
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=62560
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=62565

I know this has been a topic of discussion at AT before, but I can't seem to find the old posts. My current mission is finding a natural fiber rug for my living room (a 5x8 should do it). My concerns are durability, ease of cleaning and comfort under foot (I am nearly always barefoot when at home). What is my best option -- jute? sisal? seagrass?

Does anyone have any particular source that they have had success with for natural fiber rugs?

Robyn, I've always found those type of rugs while durable and easy to clean really hurt my feet to walk on. Not sure if you'd be into the idea of a cotton chenile rug, but they had them in 5x7 at Urban Outfitters, on sale actually last time I looked for $50. That one is soft under foot and you can throw it in the washing machine.

Guys my tenant is moving Nov 1 and I have the next small coolest apt for rent - 85th st and second ave no fee but co-op application and fact checking $500 310 sq ft 11 plus foot ceilings with a sleeping loft, brick wall and nonworking fireplace. Full height fridge. Rent is $1575 per month, and the last person stayed 5 years and got no increases!!! You need to make $75,000 per year to qualify for the co-op or no more then 28% with all debt. Parents signing for kids o.k.. Preference for AT readers. email me if interested
Stephanie@31islandview.com

Does anyone have a swatch of Room and Board's Dyson Latte fabric from a year or two ago. I know, random. It's just that the fabric is discontinued and we need just enough to fix a button on our Andre sofa.

Many thanks,
Shannon
shanrob23@hotmail.com

Robyn,

I have the jute boucle rug from West Elm in my kitchen (off all places) and it really seems to hold up well. I needed something durable that could hide the imperfections in my wood floor until we find a permanent fix. We just shake it out and run a vac. over it, and it's handy that you can just flip it over. It is a little softer underfoot than I expected.

robyn,
I am an interior designer and I am glad you are going for natural fibers but honestly I have to agree with EastVillageAmy in that they are not comfortable underfoot. They are also very difficult to clean. So if the natural fiber is the priority than I would select a wool rug that has a sisal look but it will not be cheap. Wool is great for durability, is naturally stain resistent and feels great.
http://www.sisalrugs.com/SisalWool.aspx

If you want the sisal/jute look but are willing to go with a synthetic, then the price is lower. There are many rugs like this that are indoor/outdoor rugs.
http://www.mydesignsecrets.com/2008/03/10/tough-rugs-i-love/

Best of luck!
Lorrie from http://www.mydesignsecrets.com

Don't know if anyone else has asked this yet, and forgive me if it's come up before, but what is going on with the New York Scavenger? I miss it! Last week we only got one or two and there wasn't one yesterday. What's up? Are they not doing as many with the Color Contest happening?

Is it just me?? I see 10 for post, but when i click on the link... Nothing.

I just rearranged the living room and now the unsightly back of my crappy television is in full view. I want to conceal this using a room divider or screen. I've been looking at options for concealment and they strike me as expensive, obtrusive or just plain ugly. I'd like to just find a piece of plywood about 3 ft wide and 5 ft high and give it some sort of stabilizing bottom - legs or something like that. Alternatively a frame that I could put cloth in would work.

Or should I just hang something from the ceiling?

Any suggestions?

I've just moved into a new (quite old and funky) apartment and have the -Cure Of A Lifetime- ahead of me.

I was looking at the "Easy Change" wallpaper on the Sherwin Williams site and got off track and ended up falling in love with a wallpaper that is not "Easy Change." Is trying to hang regular wallpaper just a completely terrible idea for someone who has never done it and is not exactly, uh, handy? I mean, I know my way around a glue gun sure, but wallpaper seems daunting. DAUNTING. Can anyone talk me out of it or into it?

Sciencegeek, I would check craigslist for screens, I found a pretty basic inoffensive one there for $20. If you don't find anything like that I'd think hanging a curtain/fabric or tapestry would be way easier than trying to stabilize a piece of plywood. Also if you are artistic you could get a blank piece of natural colored muslin or canvas and paint something on there that would go with your space, then it's not only concealing ugliness, it's also art.

eastvillageamy - just spent a bit of time on craigslist but i'm striking out. i'll have to check over the course of the next couple of weeks.

one of the things I was trying to avoid with having something hanging from the ceiling was cutting off that part of the room entirely. now i'm thinking of having a fabric panel only as high as the television and having it hang from pieces of string or wire attached to the ceiling.

Dana, I've never put up wallpaper and it's a project that scares me. One concern is matching the pattern. If you feel that you can do that then it might be worth giving it a try. I'd probably get a small amount (one single roll) and practice on a large board. If it turns out okay then go for it. Good luck!!