annoushka's Profile

Display Name: annoushka
Member Since: 6/16/07

Latest Comments...

I like some of the pics from last year better. If it's a Tumbleweed home model, the toilet is opposite the shower. Also, they usually have a front porch that is about 3'x10', which accounts for the missing 30 sq ft from last year.


Malissa's Hand-Built Home Small Cool Contest
5/8/13 11:27 AM

It's a sprinkler pipe. It's actually illegal to hang ANYTHING from a sprinkler pipe, due to reasons mentioned above. While I generally close my eyes on Xmas lights and such hanging on sprinkler pipes, adding a weight of a child seems downright criminal.


20 Stylish and Kid-Friendly Spaces
1/22/13 11:52 AM

I've always lived in very small apartments, including a 350 sq foot studio that was a finalist in Small, Cool once. I have done countless projects, ranging from upholstering wingback chairs and refinishing a dresser to sewing quilts to making 25 paintings over the course of two weeks for an installation. Tarps are your friend. Making time for set up and clean up each day is key for multi-day projects. Yes, you walk past it on a daily basis. I also always had a dedicated cabinet for the DIY supplies, so at the end of a day all the tools/supplies are put away, and only the project itself is in the way.


How Do You Make Space for a DIY Project in a Small Apartment? Good Questions
1/9/13 9:55 AM

I made one as a gift. It cost me $12 - $5 for the onesie and $7 for a chenille mop.


It's Real! The Baby Mop
1/8/13 3:23 PM

I have done this for friends, but I live in Boston. Most commercial furniture is NOT built to be disassembled, so you have to find a person who is not afraid to break and then rebuild. Find a handyman with upholstery experience (Craigslist might help). Most likely, they would need to take off some upholstery, break a couple connection points, reattach once in the room, and fix the upholstery.

That said, have you tried the window? Sometimes the window diagonal is greater than the door.


Couch Disassembly in San Francisco? Good Questions
10/30/12 8:58 AM

@CHZPLZ - the sink is in the window alcove to the left of the wall, under the window, turned 90 deg from where it used to be. You can see it in pic #5. It would have been useful to have a rough groundplan of the space...


Kitchen Before & After: Debra's Bibliothèque Paris Kitchen Renovation Reader Kitchen Remodel
9/11/12 4:04 PM

We used to have a display at the Boston IKEA that was 250 square feet. I can't recall if it's still there, I haven't been to the store in a year. However, my last apartment was 350 square feet (I was a finalist in the Small Cool a few years back) and it was probably more liveable than this sample...


A Look at IKEA Brooklyn's Tiny 391-Square-Foot Model Apartment Inhabitat
9/4/12 3:06 PM

I don't know if there's an IKEA near where you live, but I've had really good luck with getting foam mattresses in the As Is section for upholstery projects. Also, they Currently have 24" bolster pillows for $17, which you might be able to just match in tone and spirit, and not upholster in the same fabric as the base. I upholster professionally, and I agree there's nothing difficult about this day bed - rectangles are the easiest thing to learn on. Good luck!


Can I Reupholster a Daybed Myself? Good Questions
8/30/12 10:26 PM

I have a version of this rack from when I did not have a closet - http://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Folding-Clothing-Rack-Salesmans/dp/B0038Z7BK6

It stores pretty flat under a bed.


Where Can My Long Term House Guest Store Clothes? Good Questions
8/21/12 4:44 PM

To second Jdad, in Russia most rentals come furnished. You can often negotiate with the landlord over what stays and what goes, but most people prefer the basic furniture, because the infrastructure for moving/buying furnishings is not nearly as developed there. It is also very common for students and young professionals there to rent single, fully furnished rooms in two-three bedroom apartments from older people who live alone.


Customs of Another Country: Fully Furnished Apartments
9/30/11 5:22 PM

I think the Hospital building is fantastic, and could benefit from creative re-use. However, the points brought up by commenters here are not taking into account all facts that are evident from the articles about this debate:

1. The hospital that was housed in the building has been moved to a newer facility in 2007.

2. Northwestern does not intend to build another hospital in its place. It wants to put up a high-rise that will house offices and research labs for the Medical School.

3. A person of authority with the Northeastern facilities management contends that the University if not interested in creative re-use, and would like to move on with demolition because "demolition bids came in relatively cheap and he wants to take one while he can."

So really, it comes down to economics and private ownership vs. cultural significance, and economics usually win in the end, no matter how sad that might be.


When is a Local Landmark Worth Saving?
6/16/11 2:45 PM

FYI the designer's name is Olya Levicheva, not the other way around. In Russian, there is no set order for first name/family name, but it IS disrespectful to mention someone by their last name only. Also, I have to agree with eliabee, Russia has very specific views on what is attractive and tasteful, some of these traditions going back thousands of years. So please, if you don't agree with the designer's artistic choices, try to be courteous.


Visual Tricks in a Moscow Apartment
Professional Project

3/13/11 3:36 PM

The "hinged hoops" are called "D Rings", at least in theatre. I am not sure they have another name in hardware parlance. They came to theatre and general tie-down hardware from sailing, since most things that have to do with ropes etc. developed from sailing.


How To Build a Sliding Door for Less Than $40
3/13/11 2:55 PM

I might be alone in this suggestion, as it is not about actual safety, but *perception* of such. I live in a studio, and the thing that always bothered me is being able to see the front door. It does not make me feel safe to be "exposed" to the entrance. So I always arranged the space so there would be a small entryway, separated by a shelf or a screen. In my mind, if someone I did not invite were to enter my apartment, I would have an extra second of warning before they see me, and would be able to take better action, be it hiding or attacking. But that's just me...I've never been comfortable with the American architectural style of entering right into a living space.


Tips to Help With New Studio Safety Concerns?
Good Questions

10/2/10 8:12 PM

@twnt1andcounting - same set of buildings as the one you lived in, on Boylston, looking over Fenway Park. Of course, when I moved in 4 years ago, the rent was only $1000, and it's up to $1100 now.

The OP mentioned they will have vehicles, which means ANY of the neighborhoods suggested will be easily navigated. As a car owner in the Fenway, I have to defend the 'hood to the person who said parking is limited in most neighborhoods - it's been my experience that resident parking is sufficient most days. Yes, you have to jockey with the Sox crowds for paring sometimes, but the city has gotten pretty good about ticketing and towing non-residents from resident spots, and in 6 years living in the Fens, I have trouble finding parking on average of once every couple of months.

No, I would not own a car in the South End, Back Bay, North End etc, but I think the OP is priced out of those neighborhoods regardless. It is ridiculously easy to park in JP, Fenway, South Boston, Cambridge/Somerville, Medford, Allston/Brighton if you are a resident. You have to pay for parking in Brookline. I don't have enough experience with Chelsea and East Boston to comment.


Great Places to Find Rentals in Boston?
Good Questions

9/8/10 10:21 PM

#twnt1andcounting, I have a studio for $1100 in Fenway NOW, so the rents have not gone down. But I second all of your arguments re: Fenway and Allston/Brighton/Jamaica Plain. For what it's worth, there are Oct 1 openings in my building, and although my management company is not great, there are 1beds for $1400 around the area.

Something that most people don't think about right off the bat is how long your commute is going to be. Boston's public transport can be grueling, so after years of commuting up to 1.5 hours each way (different apartments, different jobs) I decided that paying extra for living within walking distance to my job was worth it.

Look at Jamaica Plain, Union Square, Davis Square - anything on the Red Line assures decent commutes. Also, South Boston is gentrifying very fast, and has some fabulous spaces - both lofts and apartments.

Central Boston has apartments in larger buildings dating to 1920s (great ceilings) or smaller brownstones from the 1860s-on (even better ceilings), Cambridge/Somerville/Brookline/Watertown and even Jamaica Plain are likely to offer you a floor in a triple-decker or a 2-story house. The further out you go, the more it is likely that in exchange for lower rent you will have to pay for your heat (which is included in most properties in Boston proper) - ask about heat and hot water.

Do not pay a realtor. I have rented 5 apartments over 10 years, and never had to pay a fee. If you DO use an agent, there are many many many landlords that pay the fee themselves. As other people have said, realtors here focus on the student population, and do not know their own stock, resulting in constant cross-listing.

Something I did when I moved to Boston long-distance is rent a 3-month sublet, and take that time to learn the city and find an apartment that was suitable to my needs better than the sublet. It might be difficult in October, but that's already the time when some kids drop out of school for various reasons, and sublets become quite easy to come by.

Good luck!


Great Places to Find Rentals in Boston?
Good Questions

9/7/10 7:52 PM

For anyone who commented on the art above the sofa - thank you! Those art pieces hold special significance for me. When I was a child, I spent countless hours in a puppet theatre where my parents worked, and the 3 large prints are posters from some of those productions, designed by a family friend. The 6 prints below are reproductions of early 20th century Russian adverts.


Small Cool 2010: Laura Anna's Room for Entertainment Teeny Tiny Division #13 | Apartment Therapy Boston
4/16/10 3:53 PM

Love it!


Small Cool 2010: Tanille's Teeny Tiny Terrific Trailer Teeny-Tiny Division # 14 | Apartment Therapy Los Angeles
4/15/10 10:35 PM

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments. This is the “handy” half of the couple speaking. I am always impressed by the variety of opinions this site inspires!

To clear up the confusion expressed by a couple of you – the area by the entrance serves a couple of purposes – it’s a landing strip, dressing room, and craft room. It’s separated form the main living area by sliding panels because neither of us likes to stare at the entry door while in bed. This also provides virtual separation from the crafting clutter if it goes on longer than a day. The seemingly extraneous table unfolds width-wise and becomes a dining table for 6 or a sewing/painting surface. It’s pretty much the only piece of furniture we’ve hung onto for close to a decade, because it’s so versatile.

yvesy – the lamp is from IKEA, much like the rest of the apartment. It’s SAMTID, but they recently redesigned the metal parts to be in a chrome finish instead of powdered grey…

waterlily – it’s great to find like-minded no-TV and sofa-sleeping readers, most of our friends think we are weird☺

emmelemm – well, why, yes, I DO take commissions☺

sassydo - the sofa is TYLOSAND from IKEA. It’s all foam, and takes a mattress pad that is hidden in a closet by day.

rugbyroad – the kitty litter is in the weird hallway leading to the bathroom, and they get fed in the kitchen.

michpc – the cabinets have been painted over the original wood in crappy white at least 40 years ago, you can’t even see the wood detail anymore, so we definitely enhanced it. This is a rental, otherwise we would have just re-done the kitchen.

Thank you again for the attention, keep the commentary coming!


Small Cool 2010: Laura Anna's Room for Entertainment Teeny Tiny Division #13 | Apartment Therapy Boston
4/15/10 10:20 PM

I am amazed at how inflexible some of the readers of this blog are. I would think that people interested in decor of small spaces (which tends to be the focus of *apartment* therapy) would be more open and accepting in their opinions, when instead we get the extremes of both suburb-bashing and "your space is still too large!".

I grew up in the Soviet Union in a household of 6 that was *2* separate families, one bathroom, 800 sf. Did I like it? No. No privacy and no personal space. Did it make me adjusted to living with less and in small spaces? Yes. Would I want to live like that again? Probably not. Would I criticize someone else for making a similar choice? No, because it all comes down to personal preferences and economic reality.

I am a family of 2 and 2 pets in 350 sf, and many of my friends don't understand my choices precisely because they are spoiled by their suburban upbringing, whereas to me right now the family of 6 in 1200 feels rather palatial.


Six in the City: Family of 6 in 1,200 Square Feet House Call | Apartment Therapy New York
12/26/09 4:21 PM