Capricorn Pig's Profile

Thanks for all of your suggestions AT folks! I did speak with my landlord, who has since made a few changes that seem to have helped with the (lack of) heat. I've also got a rug coming in today, and a couple of little things I'm doing. It's been warmer here in NY for the past couple of weeks, but temps are dropping, so this will be the test!

@Mlle Kate - steam heat is the most common here in NYC, it's a really old system, from what I understand, and heats most older buildings. It is controlled from a central location via thermostat, so only when it detects the temp at a certain level, and residents do not have individual control over it in their apartments. Apartments on higher floors of larger buildings are usually really warm, since heat rises, and sometimes they have to open a window to let some of it out!

Thanks for the advice everyone! My apologies... concrete walls, not cement (thanks for the correction). I'm shopping for a good, affordable rug, and the rug pad sounds like a good idea. I'm also shopping for curtains. And I did just get a digital thermometer, which is how I found out just how cold my little home is. I will be putting in a call to the landlord today to give him the stats. I am on the 2nd floor (of 2) and I've noticed recently that my neighbors are almost never home, most likely sleeping in a warmer place!

Now that I know the required temp and hours for NYC, I will be letting the landlord know, and hopefully he will turn the heat up or keep it on more consistently. I've been using a space heater, but let's be real, those things are best when you're sitting on top of them, and if the heat is seeping out of the walls, this is not very energy efficient (or cost effective for me!). Meanwhile, I layer on the fleece and down vest, cook something hot and delicious, and drink lots of tea.

@ mannequingirl - what does using 2 space heaters do to your electric bill?? I'm afraid to get mine this month.

@ dontoearth - I have steam heat, but it's controlled by the landlord, not me, so it's not on consistently, only during certain hours.

@ Emily the Cat - I just moved in a few months ago so I'm on a lease. The cost of moving (and just finding a place) in NYC is pretty high, not to mention the hassle, so I'm hoping to find a less expensive solution.

Just returning from vacation. Sure could use this!

I really need this so I can hem my own clothes!

Gorgeous!

@ chryseas27 - You could use aluminum foil, although it might affect cooking time a bit, since it would conduct heat differently than parchment paper. Enjoy!

I roasted chestnuts in the oven a few winters ago. I took special care to cut the "x" in each one, but we had quite a disaster when some of them literally exploded in the oven, and even on the counter 5 minutes after I took the tray out! I'm scared to try this again...

I love good food, especially the kind I cook myself, and a great book with beatiful photos is always a treat!

Hi Larry -

Thanks for the info about the kitchen table - luckily (or unluckily?) I am going to Ikea this weekend so I'll be on the lookout for it. According to the website, they have it in the taller height (41-3/8" high) in the new Brooklyn store.

Are the cabinets and the drawer unit next to the table also Ikea?

All the clothes I'm about to unpack from boxees after moving to a new apartment!