MrFoof's Profile

I was a bit of an Aeron skeptic until my current job, where everyone is given an Aeron. Even the secretary. And they're in most of the conference rooms as well.

I spent about 10 minutes figuring out how to adjust it. The result is I simply do not feel fatigued nearly as quickly. I can go through a 9-hour day and not feel stiff, not need to constantly shift around, and not feel like I'm running on fumes around 2 or 3PM.

The other thing is most of the chairs at the office are now 7 to 10 years old. None have been repaired, or needed repairs. From what I've heard, it's realistic to expect 12 years out of one of these chairs before something might go wrong, and even then, Herman Miller will make things right.

@alexmax

Hey now, I'm not dead yet!

Us apartment dwellers certainly still exist, and we still come up with all sorts of creative things. Unfortunately, it does take an awful lot of planning and time to do them right =P

Turning a 4x2 closet into an office that allows you to actually be productive and not feel cramped? Eliminating a door in a removable fashion so it looks like it was deliberately built that way? Turning a small, bland, apartment bathroom into something gorgeous? I can say from experience that these things are <I>VERY</I> difficult to do right.

One day there'll be a tour of my place when it meets my standards, but until then, remember this stuff is hard to DIY with the results actually being impressive.

Anyone know where those tables are from?

@Shannon Ashley

It's all about layout. I have 725sqft to myself -- it's palatial! Though I've been in 950-1100 sqft apartments that have less usable space because they have goofy hallways and alcoves for no good reason.

Everyone calls my place "tiny". Though I entertain 7 or 8 guests in great comfort on a regular basis. Not sure how that could be done in something "tiny".

Flames aside...

Check how it's built. Not just what you can see, but what you can't. Think about how something had to be made, and what was involved (people, machines, time, etc.)

A good example is to compare a $400 sofa (non-IKEA) to an $800 IKEA sofa to something more around... $2000. Whether you'd go to IKEA or for the more expensive piece ends up on your budget, but once you look at the splintery pine stapled together in the $400 one and realize the cushions will deform after a month and that the springs are going to stretch all over you'll quickly realize that it's *not* a bargain after all and it'd look like rubbish after 2 years.

Some things are expensive because of insane production processes. The amount of steel present in a Barcelona chair isn't that high, but the process to produce the frame from that steel was ridiculous for its time, the amount of steel is started from is WAY, WAY, WAY higher, and is still brutally expensive to produce today.

Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Not always - but sometimes. Check that you are getting your money's worth and buy the best overall value for your dollar.

A last example is 6 years ago my sister gave me a Ralph Lauren Polo for Xmas. It was probably $70, which I thought was ridiculous for a shirt. It's white. I've worn it every week since. It's still white (not yellow or gray tinged). It looks better than shirts from Old Navy and Aeropostale that were bought less than a year ago (the Aero ones are actually falling apart!).

@vinospizza

I don't think medusa meant exactly the "two shirts and having the kids share shoes", but the gist of the rest of it is quite reasonable.

I've been paring down possessions gradually over the years even though I certainly have plenty of space for it. Mostly because it's the opposite of what my parents did -- I watched them accumulate growing up, and now <B>I'M</B> the one dealing with the effects.

It's not poverty. It's not even being cheap. It's looking at the overall value of everything. It's analytical and probably a bit obsessive, but it pays off in the long tail. Though for the 2-shirts... it's possible. I bought 2 new (Ralph Lauren) polos this weekend. They weren't cheap, but the reality is the one that was given to me as a gift 4 years ago is in WAY better shape than any of the Gap and Old Navy ones that are falling apart in under 2 years.

@rapidtransitman

Having had mirrored backsplashes in apartments past, I'd agree. Though honestly the worst for me were still electrical fixtures, as they just interrupted everything (even though they were mirrored).

I'd go with brushed stainless steel mosaic or penny tiles instead of mirrored ones.

You forgot the *fun* stuff.

Fridge: Dispose of expired goods weekly. Clean it top to bottom every 3 months. Stainless steel can go 1-3 months without buffing.

Stove: Weekly since I have a ceramic top. Otherwise monthly.

Counters: Weekly.

Oven: I just stare angrily at it. 1 to 3 months.

Washer/Dryer: I have a front-loading washer and a ventless condensation dryer. Drain augur in the washer is cleaned once a month. The heat exchanger in the dryer is pulled and cleaned out about once every 2 weeks. Lint filter is after every 1 to 2 loads.

Everything else: I try to oil wood and polish marble monthly. Glass-topped items are cleaned whenever smudges are obvious.

@noelo
Big thanks on that! I've been looking for an interesting side table (I want a Saarinen tulip, but I also don't) and this is now definitely up for consideration.

Oh yes, regarding the clear coat, look into an automotive body shop that specializes in very high end repairs. Alternatively - and I kid you not - go to a Bentley dealership and inquire in their service department. Not only will you find them surprisingly helpful, their recommendations will probably be second to none.