smencher's Profile

This is great! I will definitely be reading. I'm in the market for a new camera, but don't want to spend a lot, so I agree that camera reviews or recommendations would be helpful.

So fun! Thanks for sharing, this is a great idea :) What a great way to spread cheer to your entire block!

Yep, great tip, I will try it too!

Is that a Zen Alarm Clock? Those are the best :)

Nice work! I'm always hesitant to garden at a rental because it can be expensive, but you've done it without spending a lot of money. Looks really nice.

I love this round-up! I've re-freshed a couple of pieces of old furniture this way, too: http://wildpetuniadesigns.wordpress.com

I don't know how your condo association works, but maybe at the next Board meeting, or just the next time you bump into your neighbors, bring it up in just the way you did here - as a cost-savings measure. Do some research ahead of time so you can bring some numbers to the table. People will probably be more motivated if they are presented with dollar figures.

Also, you might be surprised - more people than you think might be interested in starting up a "Green Committee" for the building. If each condo is metered separately, you could propose a neighborly competition to see who can lower their energy use the most (on a percentage basis) month over month. If your building has kids, get them involved too.

Here's the NYSERDA website, which has lots of information on saving energy in residential buildings, including appliance rebates: http://www.getenergysmart.org/default.aspx

Good luck and share what you learn with the rest of us!

I've never heard about the cult thing before. Olde Good Things often sells their furniture (recycled barn wood tables, dressers, benches, and huge mirrors) at flea markets around NYC. We bought one of the barn wood farmhouse style dining room tables (pictured in the top right photo) and a coordinating bench and we get lots of compliments on it.

Hey, great socks Maxwell! Are they Smartwools?

We will also be fixing a lamp as part of our six items. Other to-dos are: replacing an ugly broken roman shade in the bathroom; installing hooks in the entryway for hanging coats and hats; re-upholstering two mid-century chairs I found on the sidewalk on Tuesday morning; framing a few pieces of art; and selling a couch that's too big for the current living room configuration.

Hi Maxwell,
I've been reading Apartment Therapy for over a year now and though I love the blog, this is the first time I've been inspired to post a comment. I suggest looking at European Sleepworks, based in California. Their mattresses are available at the Scott Jordan furniture store in SOHO. I used to sublet a place years ago and loved the European Sleepworks mattress provided with the room, so when it was time to buy a new bed that's what we chose. We currently have it on an old boxspring but are interested in possibly upgrading to slats, so we'll be following your experiment closely to see what you learn!