binxie's Profile

Magnificent, there's wallpaper that mimics this look for less. It was used by Victorians who couldn't afford pricey plaster. You hang it, then paint it. Tracy, if you're interested, google "anaglypta."

I'm bored to numb, dumb tears by all three. I'd rather sit in Pee Wee's Chairy and suck down my spaghetti carbonara than any of these uninspired choices.

The LG is awfully cheap-looking imo. A plastic box with a bad stainless door. If money is tight, I'd go for a simple white (and dimple-free!) counter-depth model before I bought a fridge trying to be something it's not. FWIW, salesmen have warned me that the Northstar and the Avanti are not worth the money. I took their word for it and decided to suck it up and invest in the Liebherr for my (currently gutted) kitchen.

Crate and Barrel, Mitchell Gold and Room and Board all have L-shaped sectionals in that price range.

We just bought a place in a former Mitchell-Lama complex. For about $696K more than this.

Bravo, Shauna. I agree with Cassis. The mirrored piece at Pier 1, btw, is a vanity for $300. This is a bigger, nicer piece for not much more. Mitchell Gold, hardly a high-end retailer, has one like it for $1600.

I thought the article was a bit odd and got off on an antler/Art Basel-Miami tangent never to return. Where were the trends that have legs? A red leather chair brought forth by hypnosis? It's also annoying to read quotes from people like Deborah Needleman who is sooooo sad that those of us who don't get our apartments decorated for free have to resort to West Elm overlapping circle chairs. And where was MGR's quote? Did I miss it? Or once Penelope Green discovered he had bamboo cabinets (horrors!) was his expertise discounted? ; )

Regarding IKEA: I like the look and I wanted to feel the love, particularly given the thumbs-up from Consumer Reports, the Michael Formicas of the world, etc., but after talking to many contractors and many people who have had them for years, the consensus seems to be that they don't last for the ten years I plan to own my apartment. As for the contention that they are a different animal from the old-school stuff, they may have more bells and whistles and better hardware, but they are still particleboard.

Regarding henrybuilt: I have a 9 x 9 galley kitchen and was quoted $30k for cabinets, and this was their entry-point line made with bamboo and Durat, their cheapest materials. I don't doubt that Maxwell got his for less, but to suggest they are in any way a budget option is just nuts. That said, if I had unlimited funds, I would do henrybuilt over Bulthaup in a heartbeat.

Paulmuscat, while it's true as Jane says a cork won't work, i once heard a noted wine expert advise just reusing a couple half bottles with screw tops for leftovers from bottles sealed with corks. As long as you own a funnel and drink up within a few days, you're fine and you don't have to spend $$ on anything fancier. Works for me.