Apartment 528

Used Friday: Buy This Now

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:00 +0000

Love. This.

If you're anywhere near Arkansas, get it now. Unfortunately, the posting isn't for the exact couch in the picture but for a black, 2-seater version. Either way, you're getting an AMAZING deal at $40. Get it NOW!!

Oh, and make sure to check out this cute little shop, Brick House Vintage. I wonder if they'd let me live in their store...

On the Dial: Dropkick Murphy's - Live on Landsdowne

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Design Girl) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:25:00 +0000

The Dropkick Murphys - Live on Landsdowne
By Mr. Design Girl

*sorry but we're having technical difficulties here at Apt528 so no music player today :(

The legendary local heroes from Quincy, representing both Boston and Irishmen everywhere, are dropping a special St. Patty's Day album (with bonus DVD) that any self-respecting Bostonian should own.

This festive record was put together using songs from several Dropkick Murphy shows all around Beantown during the 2009 St. Patrick's Day season. All your classic sing-a-long and drink-a-long tunes are present and accounted for (except, much to my chagrin, "Barroom Hero") on this epic, 20-track, live album.

Despite a couple of missing classics, the Dropkicks deliver with their usual high energy live performances and great versions of "The State of Massachusetts", "Flanigan's Ball", and "Tessie".

The creamy head on this pint of Guinness is the closing track, "I'm Shipping Up To Boston", the classic soundtrack cut from "The Departed". The special surprise of the song: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones! That's right Dicky Barrett and the rest of the Mighty Mighties show up, and the crowd shows its appreciation big time by erupting at their emergence on stage.

So...wear some green, grab a pint, and listen to some Dropkick Murphy's because it's St. Patrick's Day and today everyone is Irish!

Etsy Shop of the Week: Kellie Huie Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:07:00 +0000

I know nothing about photography (you've seen the pictures I take!) but there's something about Kellie Huie's Photography that I just love. Perhaps it's the "vintage-style" photo editing or the awesome glasses in her "Do You See What I See?" print. Either way, I'm in love! You'll definitely need a bigger apartment to hold all of Kellie's prints!

The Weekender: Easy Roller Blind DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Window coverings are often the hardest part of designing a room, especially if you're a renter and don't want to invest in pricey curtains that you may not be able to use in your next rental. So I figured this Ikea Hack by Michael would be the perfect Saturday project for those who are looking for an easy alternative. According to the instructions on Michael's website, you don't need to do much sewing or use messy spray adhesive, plus it's not expensive. Didn't I tell you it would be perfect!

Now grab your supplies, turn up the music, and get to work!

Teal Madness

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:37:00 +0000

First off, thanks to Courtney Hollands at the Boston Globe for including our Antler Picture Frame in today's G section! My favorite part: "Something tells us that Jonathan Adler would covet this." Just the thought of Jonathan Adler loving a product from the Apartment 528 Store is enough to make us quiver...I think I'd faint if he verified the statement as true!

Grab an Antler Frame of your own or check out one of the other products from the Apt528 Store.

I was going to post pics of my fave black and grey rooms today...we're moving this summer and I'm planning on going back to black and grey in the new place. After looking around, I realized that EVERYONE'S doing black and grey right now so you've probably seen more than enough dark rooms. Instead, I figured I'd share my love of teal.

Yes, I know teal is an "in" color nowadays, but I've been doing teal for years and plan to keep it in our decor for years to come. To me, teal's a timeless color that has so much depth and feeling. My dining room is and every time I walk by I just feel happy. You can dress it up or down, go dark or light. No matter what you choose, teal is gorgeous!

via Clapboard Cottage

via Elle Decor

via Decor Pad

via Alan Wales

via Manolo for the Home

via Decor Pad

On the Dial: Muse - The Resistance

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:27:00 +0000

Muse – The Resistance

By Mr. Design Girl

The British rock trio Muse is at it again with their third album, The Resistance. While a large portion of bands tend to fail after their sophmore slump, Muse just gets better and more ambitious with every track they record.

Matthew Bellamy, lead singer and guitarist, is a huge fan of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and it shows throughout this album with his falsetto crooning and the deep, artsy imagery his lyrics evoke. I can't get over the bass and drums throughout the album. ”Hysteria” and “Knights of Cydonia”, tracks from their past albums had beautiful, technical bass lines and drum arrangements, but this album has Muse at the top of their “low-end” game. Listen to the bass lines on any song at any point on the album and see what I mean.

The same could be said for the guitar work and singing. Bellamy is a seasoned song-writer whose epic and crunchy guitar work compliments the melodic bass and aggressive drumming.

My favorite song on the album is the title track “Resistance”. It's untouchable on the bass guitar, has unbelievable drums, and the vocals and lyrics are superb yet again. If you're not into Muse, listen to "Resistance" and and your mind will be changed in no time. Better yet, try “Exogenesis: Symphony”, a three track symphony done by a rock band. ‘Nuff said!

Other Bands That Rock Like Muse:
Radiohead
The Who
The Killers
Coldplay
Led Zepplin

Etsy Shop of the Week: Elisa Lou Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:56:00 +0000

There's nothing worse than lugging around all the bulky modern-day electronics we just can't live without. While you may not be able to throw away your laptop and your kid may have a fit if you get rid of their Nintendo DS, at least you'll be able to carry them around in style with a pouch from Elisa Lou Designs. Elisa's pouches are custom made to fit all your electronics including your cell, eReader, laptop, and handheld games. She also makes purses and totes that are big enough to store everything you need to get through your day.

If you like the fabrics you see and want to create a piece of your own, head over to Elisa Lou's Fabric Shop where you can buy all the fabrics she uses in her designs.

Totes from Bonjour Mon Coussin!

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Not only do the wonderfully inventive folks at Bonjour Mon Coussin have new pillows, but now they make totes as well! My love of Bonjour continues...

On the Dial: The Flaming Lips

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:59:00 +0000

You probably noticed I've been adding music to some of the blog posts lately. That's because I'm a HUGE music fan. So is my husband. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's our love of music and burgers that keeps our marriage together!

That's why the hubby and I are teaming up to bring you a new weekly feature called "On the Dial". Each Wednesday, my husband, a.k.a. Mr. Design Girl, will share with you the latest and greatest tunes from our diverse music library.

So kick back, crank up the volume, and enjoy!

On the Dial: Dark Side of the Moon by The Flaming Lips
By: Mr. Design Girl

The Flaming Lips are a psychedelic rock band that’s been doing their thing since 1983. They recently recorded a cover version of the album “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. I’m a huge fan of both bands so I had to hear this.

I re-listened to the album this week and was quite impressed. Pink Floyd isn’t an easy band to cover and ”Dark Side of the Moon” is one of the more familiar rock albums around. But, the Flaming Lips really stepped up to the plate, so to speak, with this endeavor. Granted there are moments where the band falters, but there are many shining points throughout the album that even the harshest of critics would enjoy.

“On the Run” is one of those shining points and although I say shining it is more dark and sinister, the feeling of this track is captured nicely and the title says it all when it comes to what that feeling is. You literally have a sense of running away from something, and the constant bobbing and running sensation is excellently done. “Us and Them” is my favorite song by Pink Floyd, so it wasn’t a surprise to me that The Flaming Lips didn’t deliver on this one. Despite doing well, it just didn’t get the job done for me.

I could say the same for “The Great Gig in the Sky”. It’s one of the best tracks from the original album but it seems a bit watered down when redone here and at times far too distorted and over done with effects. Again, a good job but when compared to what it is paying tribute to, it just can’t stand up.

The best track on the album is the last track: “Eclipse”. It has such a great energy to it and seeing the band perform this song live at the end of the show would be a moving experience. The flipside of that would be “Money”…it just doesn’t work for them and for me, it’s one of those songs on the “Do Not Cover” list.

Overall, the album was okay. If you're a fan of either band it's worth a listen.

Give It a Try If You Like:

Radiohead

Modest Mouse

Sonic Youth

The Arcade Fire

Beck

My Office Redo!

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:41:00 +0000

We're only planning on living in this apartment for a few more months, but I really wanted to paint my workroom anyway. I wrestled with whether I should or not for a couple of months...we made an agreement with our landlord that we'd repaint any non-neutral colors when we move out and I didn't want to add another room to that list.

BEFORE:

The office before we moved in. Nice and clean (but a boring color)!

But the other day I was sitting here dreaming about all the colors the room could be when a sudden impulse came over me and I decided I couldn't work in a drab, boring room for one more second. I told myself that if I could find a neutral color already in my paint arsenal I'd go for it. Sure enough, I had a gallon of grey paint leftover from another project. I got a brush, and started painting.

After we moved in. Messy! As you see I couldn't decide which color to paint the bookcase wall!

Granted, it's not your typical office space. After all, how many people have a miter box screwed into their desk? Still, I love my workroom! The best part of this project was that I was able to use paint leftover from previous projects so I didn't have to worry about spending money. The only thing I had to buy was a gallon of white paint which I already needed for touchups around the house. The grey and white brighten the room and the brightly painted furniture and accents add life and color. I like that this room is different from the 1970's color pallet I have throughout the rest of the house. It's such a fun place to work now!

AFTER:

White won for the accent wall! I used Ikea curtain fabric to hide my messy bookcase storage.

A new bright green shelf.

To add extra color, I painted the inset of the built-in bookcase pink...I can quickly paint it white when it's time to leave.

BEFORE:

This is the side of the room where I do all my work and store my tools and wood scraps so it's a little messy.

AFTER:

Still cluttered with my tools and whatnot but it's a little more organized and definitely prettier when painted bright colors!

Another easy color addition: painting the edge of the worktable yellow.

All the memorbelia I've collected over the years is now on the beam above my desk to make things even more fun. I painted the beam and added cork to make it functional.

I decided to switch to a real mouse, but now I can't find my mouse pad so my Ikea catalog's doing double duty.

The trap door in the middle of the floor that leads to the backyard. It makes arranging furniture difficult.

Apartment Wanted: Gettin' Zillow With It

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:28:00 +0000

If you're like me, you probably think Craigslist is the bee's knees when it comes to apartment hunting. Not so. Zillow's the new apartment/house hunting tool on the net. While Zillow doesn't have nearly the number of listings that Craigslist does, it's a great source if you're new to an area or doing a long distance apartment search like we are. The information it provides goes way beyond Craigslist.

First you put in your search terms on the left hand side of the page. You can choose everything from the number of bathrooms (something I wish Craigslist would add) to the type of home you're looking for. The results pop up in the area below the map.

Instead of clicking on each listing like you would on Criagslist, Zillow gives you an quick view of each apartment showing basics like how many beds/baths, the rent price, and the type of property. You can also hover over the thumbnails to see a larger version of the pictures included with that listing. All this without ever having to leave the search results page!

Once you find a listing you like, it pops up with basic information. First there's the overview which includes pictures and info on the apartment.

Now here's where Zillow really excels. Not only do you get basic information about the apartment, but they also offer pictures of the neighborhood and demographics about the area! Since we're doing a long distance move and aren't super familiar with all the different areas of Chicago, it was extremely helpful to be able to look at the neighborhood demographics. Now we know that Lakeview is mostly 20 and 30-something people with no kids. Works for us!

Already, I'm in love with the apartment we found above. It's in Lakeview which seems like a nice area based on the demographics and the photos. As an added bonus, the apartment's eerily similar to our current place: it has a spiral staircase leading up to the attic master bedroom...we'd feel right at home :)

The Weekender: Another Murphy Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:06:00 +0000

I know all of you love the Moddi, but today I have an alternative for you that I found while browsing through Andrew Sinclair's blog. Andrew used the Create-a-Bed system for to make his murphy bed. With just a few easy mods and the addition of bookcases, he was able to make a super stylish guest bed that can fold away when they leave. The Create-a-Bed system ($299) is a little more expensive than the Moddi but it comes with the major parts, all you have to do is buy the wood and provide the tools!

Head over to Andrew's blog and check out his video for more on his stylish murphy bed.

Headed to the Supermarket

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:15:00 +0000

Soundtrack of the Day: The Mysterious Production of Eggs by Andrew Bird
Songs to Try: "Opposite Day", "Measuring Cups" (I can't get them to upload but believe me they're good!)

I recently stumbled upon Supermarket, a website for designers and artists to sell their work, much like Etsy. While I'm a super Etsy fan, Supermarket is quickly finding a place in my heart!

The main difference between Etsy and Supermarket is size. Etsy is HUGE and offers products from a diverse range of people. From hobbyists to serious, independent designers who sell their work for a living, you'll find them on Etsy. On the other hand, Supermarket is smaller and includes only the more serious designers. Of course this means you're less likely to find some of the less expensive items that Etsy offers but sometimes it's worth it! Take a look at a few of my faves below!

Modern Blessings Pillow

Istanbul Bag

Fight the Tuesday Blah's

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:03:00 +0000

Tuesday's are the worst days of the week. They're just so...blah. Hopefully these pictures will brighten up your day! To up the happy factor, listen to today's soundtrack to really get things going.

Perfect Tuesday Soundrack: Finally Woken by Jem
Songs to try: "They" and "Just a Ride"

(BunBunLife)

(Artnlight)

(DigsDigs)

(Andrew Sinclair)

Etsy Shop of the Week: Linda Ketelhut

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:48:00 +0000

What you hang on your walls will define the whole room. That means no more cutting pics of hollywood hunks out of Teen Magazine and taping them to your walls! Instead, head over to Linda Ketelhut's Etsy shop for eclectic pieces to show off your unique style. What first drew me to Linda's shop were her mid-century inspired prints that made me drool, but I stayed even longer after seeing her one-of-a-kind collages. Best of all, Linda's work is affordable so you can buy a few prints to create your own mini art collection!

Used Friday: My New Sectional Obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:10:00 +0000

There's one great craigslist find that I can't get out of my head. Today, I'm dedicating the whole Used Friday to this AWESOMELY AMAZING sectional in Chicago.

This is the vintage sectional of my dreams. If it was in Boston, I'd by there right now picking it up. I've been searching for a sectional for two years now. My ultimate dream is to own a vintage piece, though they're hard to find and can be expensive to fix. My second choise was the Ikea Kramfors, which is now discontinued. I was starting to give up hope that I'd ever find a sectional. Until now.

This sectional is in pretty good condition and was recently reupholstered, though not professionally. It still looks good though...better than anything I could ever do! It has good bones which means it won't cost too much to have it professionally upholstered. Based on the quote I got for another piece I liked here in Boston, I'd say they could revamp this piece for a cool $1000. Not bad!

We're going to Chicago Memorial Day weekend to look at apartments (we're moving there this summer so any tips on good n neighborhoods to live in are welcome). Wouldn't it be awesome if somehow this sectional was still available when I was there so I could snatch it up!?!

Apt528 Reads: Flea Market Finds and How to Restore Them

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Flea Market Finds & How to Restore Them
By Caroline Atkins
Price: about $20 (varies by seller)
Apt528 Rating: 5/10

The reason I gave this book only five stars is because I found the title misleading. Judging from the "How to Restore Them" portion of the title, I assumed there would be how-to's on restoring different types of vintage pieces. There weren't. Instead, the book is written in Q&A form with different sections for each material - wood, glass, ceramic, etc.

The questions seem less informative and more subjective to me. Most of them are people asking if they should restore a piece or leave it as is. For example: "Ive found an old mirror that has a very beautiful frame but badly damaged glass. Is there any point in repairing or replacing it?"

The book's answer: "Whether you do anything to repair your mirror depends really on whether it's more important to you as a practical looking glass or as a beautiful object." The rest of the answer goes on for half a page. There's no picture of the mirror in question or of the person's house, nor do you know their style so how can the book really answer them? The same type of question is in each section.

Other questions ask how to use items that people bought at flea markets. For example, "I couldn't resist a job lot of old bricks that were going cheap - but what's the best way to use them in my garden?" My answer: what do you NEED in your garden? A fireplace, a brick patio, a walkway? Again, it takes half a page for the book to respond to this question with an answer as vague as the one above and again, these types of questions are throughout the book.

There are a few DIY tips that I found useful like using candle wax to un-stick drawers or using a raw potato and newspaper to clean a mirror, however these tips are far and few between. Most of the advice in the book tells you to take the piece to a professional for help. Other times they may tell you the method for fixing an item but not explain the steps involved which means you'll have to grab another book or go online to learn the actual process...why not just skip a step (and save $20) by doing all your research online or buying a DIY book that has detailed step-by-step guides?

My advice, take a minute to browse through any how-to book before purchasing to make sure it meets your needs. And try one of Caroline Atkins other books like Small Spaces for Modern Living...one of the next books on my list!

Etsy Shop of the Week: Pepper Sprout

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:46:00 +0000

I love anything with a wood grain pattern, whether real or fuax bois. So of course I love everything from Pepper Sprout! The wooden pendants are super cute and make a great gift...for youself of course! The wooden coasters are perfectly made with engraved designs and cutouts. If you're looking for something a little softer, they also have a selection of felt trivets and coasters in great colors. Talk about swoon-worthy!

The Weekender: Stylish Recycling

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:56:00 +0000

Ikea Hacker has a great post for those looking for a stylish trash or recycling solution. Not only does this hack seamlessly blend in with the rest of the kitchen, but it's also easy to do! They cut a hole in both the cabinet and the counter and used wodden plates as lids. Love it!

Used Friday: Winter Warmer

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Remember when I told you Apt528 was going through some restructuring? Well, here's one of the changes...Garage Sale is now Used Friday. Stop by every Friday for great vintage and second-hand goods.

Today we're keeping you warm with cozy vintage finds.

Clockwise from top left: Spoon Me, Fork Me Thermos, $10 (Back to You Vintage); Enamel Tea Kettle, $18 (Ethan Ollie); Mod Porcelain Mug Set, $65 (Sassy Space); 70's Nerdy Cardigan, $38.50 (Beta Por Homme); Lap Afghan, $22 (Finding Fabulous); Fantasy Fondue Set, $35 (Crank Heart Pony);

Product Roundup: Space Heaters Under $100

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:04:00 +0000

ith crazy snow falling in parts of the country, everyone's running to turn up the thermostat. My suggestion -use a space heater. They won't heat your whole apartment, but they're great for times when you're staying in one area and want to be toasty without blasting heat (and money!) through the whole house. Case in point: I have a small heater the size of the Sunbeam below that heats up the bedroom in the morning while I get ready.

Today's roundup has all types of space heaters. There are tiny heaters good for small spaces and larger models that really turn up the heat. Take a look, read the reviews, and see which works better for your space!

Clockwise from top left: DeLonghi SafeHeat Mica-Panel Heater (Amazon.com) - $69.95; Lasko Oscillating Fan (Home Depot) - $49.97; DeLonghi Ceramic Heater Tower (Target) - $74.99; Swizz Style Max Fan Heater (Sears) $99.99; Lasko Silent Room Heater (Home Depot) - $39.98; Electric Foot Warmer Mat (Target) - $49.99; Optimus Dish Heater (Amazon.com) - $19.99; Sunbeam Ceramic Space Heater (Walmart) - $15.88

I've Rebounded!

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:45:00 +0000

I finally found a sectional to replace my beloved discontinued Ikea Kramfors. It's the Karlstad, also from Ikea. This weekend was my first time going to Ikea since getting the sad news about the Kramfors. I needed to pick up a stool and bookshelf for my workroom. On our way through the showroom, we passed a living room display with a Karlstad sectional. It's not as awesome as the Kramfors and I only like a few of the color choices, but it's affordable...under $1000!

Out of all the colors available, my favorite is Ullevi Grey, mostly because I like the fabric. It's soft and comfy like a warm sweater. I only wish that fabric came in more colors. For now, the grey will do...at least I can finally get over the Kramfors. I"ve rebounded!

Etsy Shop of the Week: Paper Addict

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Simplicity. That's the theme for this week's shop of the week, Paper Addict. Their cards come in plain, vintage-inspired colors (my favorite!), yet there's something about them that makes you feel as if your life won't go on unless you possess a set. You can purchase the notecards in several sizes ranging from tiny cards good for jotting quick musings to larger cards great for saying hello. They also sell scrapbook embelishments and paper confetti. If you want a little extra on your stationery, Paper Addict has two sets featuring their own original designs. With low prices and affordable shipping, you'll be able to scoop up several stationery sets for one awesome price. Better yet, they offer gift cards which would make great presents for friends!

Know an Etsy shop that you think should be the Shop of the Week? Email me your suggestions.

Garage Sale - Sectionals

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:56:00 +0000

Since I can't get my hands on an Ikea Kramfors sectional, I'm shopping around Craigslist to see what else is out there. Thankfully, there's a lot to choose from. Here are just a few great sectionals for under $400.

1950's Turquoise Sectional (Tucson) - $75

SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS! Can you believe it?! For less than $100 you can snatch up this awesome vintage piece. The description doesn't mention the condition but for that price, you can buy a slipcover, have it reupholstered, or (if you're brave) reupholster it yourself. If only I lived in Arizona.

Tan Microfiber Sectional (San Jose) - $400

Now all your guests will have a seat! Best of all, if there are any spills, the microfiber can be easily cleaned.

Red Microfiber (Ewing, NJ) - $450

I know it's above $400, but I think it's worth the $50. It's barely used, in awesome shape, and comes from a clean house.

Fagelbo Sleeper Sectional (Los Angeles) - $350

In addition to being a nice modern sofa, this sectional pulls out to become a sleeper. Great for small apartments.

Forest Green Crate & Barrel Sectional (Clarendon Hills, IL) - $400

Great condition, short money. Buy it!

V-Day Shopping at Apt528

noreply@blogger.com (Design Girl) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:52:00 +0000

Have you ever seen a pillow that helps you pop the question or tell your special someone how you feel? No? Then you're in for a treat. Now at the Apt528 Store you'll find the Fortune Cookie Pillow with a hidden pocket for sending messages to your cuddle buddy.

And that's not all there is at Apartment 528. For under $50 you can grab the perfect gift for all the sweethearts on your list. Just don't let them know about the money you saved!