I have an on-again-off-again relationship with Target. I generally love their cute and cheap dishware, especially when talented guest designers are brought in. But a few months ago, I bought a bathroom cabinet that couldn’t even be put together. The directions didn’t match the measly hardware, and slot A physically couldn’t line up with piece 5. I had to throw the thing out, as it was past the refund date.
But Target does manage to redeem itself. Such may be the case with the Quadra Accent Table from Target’s Umbra collection, a small (19.4” diameter x 21.4" height) but dramatic piece in smoky tempered glass and black wood composite. I’ve checked the site, and it even got good customer reviews.
The table adds a modern flair next to a sofa, a chair, or in a hallway. It’s easy to put together. Don’t be afraid to set anything on the surface: Though it looks delicate, the glass top fits into slots on the base. The curvy feet on the bottom come with pads to protect your floor. And because it’s Target, you know it’s a good deal -- $79.99, to be exact.
You can order the Quadra Accent Table at www.target.com or visit Target at 40 West 225th Street in the Bronx or 139 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
Quintessence 236 E 10th Street (btw. 1st and A) 646-654-1823
After experiencing another wild night in the East Village, I felt the usual mid-afternoon heaviness from a little too much wine and cheese. Deciding to forgo the typical stroll to the local dinner to grease up our insides and soak up last night’s drinks, we decided to venture to a small restaurant recommended to us by a health-consciousness friend. Quintessence is a “life food” restaurant which their website states means “fruits, vegetables, and grains that are never cooked” or heated above 118 degrees. Having not known this before, we stood out front a bit baffled. Could we possibly eat a whole meal of cold un-cooked food?
Surprisingly, we were in for a real treat. The food is absolutely delicious. We had to put aside our prejudices for a moment to really experience the vibrant flavors of the dishes. We started with the Dips and Chips Platter, a wonderfully satisfying appetizer boasting spicy tomato-cilantro salsa, dairy free sour cream and guacamole, and home-made corn chips and flax crackers. We were astonished that nothing was cooked as we later learned that the chips, free of all the chemicals we hate to admit we are eating from our usual grocery store, were made in a dehydrator, reproducing the effect of regular chips but without heating the food.
Next, we tasted the Indian Coconut soup which even at room temperature was a real delight. Lightly dashed with cardamom, coriander, and a spicy kick, we found ourselves wanting to order another bowl!
The restaurant is tiny but this adds to its coziness. Its color scheme is definitely intended to produce a sense of calm amidst the noise of the east village, succeeding gracefully with a series of warm pastels tones and vibrant plant life. We were very impressed with the wait staff, or wait-staffer as the restaurant calls for only one. Ours was very knowledgeable and helpful without the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with having to serve “first-timers.”
We could not have imagined what bounty was to be placed in front of us for our main course. Lying before us was a hamburger overflowing with sides and a hefty sausage pizza! The first, the Big Moc, was a brilliant display of culinary ingenuity. Two nut burger patties, avocado, thousand island sauce and a tasty version of raw bread. The pizza was a hearty full-flavored “sausage” nut-meat on a spread of creamy nut cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and flax bread. If you think it is impossible for a meal of uncooked fruits, veggies and grains to be fulfilling as we did, then Quintessence will be a pleasant surprise, perhaps even a shock. We felt so satisfied after this meal that we literally had no room for dessert. The best part of it all, we felt energized and free from sluggishness, something we have to admit would not have occurred at our usual dinner. Could this place become the new next-day-after-partying oasis?
Later, we found out that the reason for not cooking the food is not some strange way to carve out a niche for oneself in a rapidly changing Manhattan restaurant scene, but rather that Quintessence believes by not heating the food “all the natural enzymes are left alive and intact.” We were not exactly sure why this was important until learning on their website that an abundance of enzymes helps to repair cellular damage, create billions of healthy cells, reverse the aging process, improve physical and mental status, and create an overall sense of better health. These are big claims in fact but after our savory meal we feel good enough to not smirk completely the next time someone mentions “raw foods.”
Although you may be tempted to think it looks like a psychiatrist's lounge, this is actually an awesome piece of furniture. I like the clean lines of this futon, it fits right in with my modern apartment. It is comfortable, not too soft like some futons. it has a good smooth finish that really screams quality. It easy to fold out into a bed when friends decide to spend the night, which is always important. It is perfect to fold out and watch movies on, much more comfortable than a regular sofa.
This isn't your average futon. It isn't flimsy like a lot of other ones I've seen at comparable prices. I love how it moves from day to night with such ease. It is definitely a classy addition to my living room decor. This is a piece of furniture that will continue to be useful and fit in with my lifestyle for years to come.
I like the fact it doesn't look like a traditional futon and is a piece of real furniture. The quality of the construction and the craftsmanship is superb. It came well packaged and assembly was a dream. It is exactly what I was looking for to complete my room. This is a solid and stylish piece that I would recommend to any of my friends.
Desiron's SoHo showroom is clearing out their warehouse overstock of tables, sofas, chairs and other home furnishings and slashing prices up to 75 percent off to make room for new product offerings. A Madison Dining Table was $ 6100 and now is $1560. A Hudson Sofa was $5490 and now is $ 1317. From 1/29 through 2/2. 151 Wooster St., nr. Prince St. 1/29 to 2/2 (11-7).
For Details, contact Desiron
Ever notice that most desks are ugly and take up way too much space? For me, a desk is a necessary evil, especially now that I have a huge-monitored Mac desktop and notebook. Crate and Barrel’s Oak Park Compact Office is a cool solution to the desk dilemma. The small, solid walnut workspace looks like a Prairie-style console table, but has a pull-out keyboard drawer, file cabinet, and drawer and shelf space for a printer, fax machine, or office supplies. When the desk is not in use, everything can be neatly concealed. It’s low enough to the ground to conceal pesky wires, too!
This is a great solution for a small apartment, in which your “home office” might also be your living room and bedroom. If you just have a notebook computer, even better. Store it in the keyboard drawer, put some small decorative items on top of your workstation, pull your office chair (preferably an attractive one) to the side, and you’ve got a multifunctional piece of furniture.
The Oak Park Compact Office is on sale now for $999. Check it out at Crate and Barrel at 650 Madison Avenue at East 60th and 611 Broadway at West Houston.
Carley Roney’s The Nest Home Design Handbook: Simple Ways to decorate, organize, and personalize your place is a home design book that’s equally helpful and aspirational. I don’t frequent The Nest, but I found the solutions in this book to be much more realistic and doable than even sites I really enjoy, like those of Apartment Therapy and Domino.
I think lots of design books give the impression that you need a lot of money, time, or expertise to create a look, though that is not always the intention. The Nest caters to young, recently married couples who probably don’t have a lot of any of those things. Furthermore, the book seems to have an overall style that jives with mine. There’s not too much clutter. Nothing outrageous or chintzy. Lots of clean, modern lines. A good mix of colors and neutrals. This is the kind of book that makes you think, “You know, I could try doing this right now.” Then you stub your toe attempting to move the couch.
All kidding aside, I really like this book. It has a nice reference section, talks about color schemes, and gives great tips supplemented with pictures. You can find it for as little as $15 at your nearest bookstore or at the library.
I recently read Jonathan Adler’s design book, My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living. Say what you will about his mismatched prints, loud colors, and anti-formalism. Adler's vision isn’t just a style, it's a lifestyle. While I can’t agree with all of his ideas – mixing bold patterns just gives me the willies – I think there are some good ideas to glean from the book. For example, I love the splashes of whimsy and color Adler prescribes for spaces. It makes it easier to update a room and is a boon to thrift store treasure hunters like me.
Keep in mind that this book is not a step-by-step book about technique or do-it-yourself tricks or theories. It’s a fun book about one man’s style that is meant to be subjective and inspiring. My favorite idea from it: Making silhouettes of the people who live in a home on colored paper, labeling them with the person’s name and then writing a one-sentence description. Frame and hang up for all to see. Adler included his dog’s silhouette with the phrase, “Won’t poo in the rain.” This is clearly a man who appreciates some of the things I appreciate!
Check out My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living at a bookstore near you or hit up the library.
Despite my best efforts to rely on the library and donate, books are taking up prime real estate in my apartment. The lacquered steel Ptolomeo Rotating Bookcase, designed by Bruno Rainaldi, offers a space-efficient, modern, and frankly, pricy solution. The device, which might remind you of those old spinning racks that held the trashy paperbacks at your school library, is priced at a hefty $3,495. It was featured in The New York Times Style Magazine in Spring 2008.
But it does quite a job. The bookcase can hold a total of 295 books or 175 books and 340 cds. The shelves measure 5 x 10 inches with 4 x 5 inch shelf compartments. The storage is vertical, too. Each book-holding section is engineered to hold weight evenly, so you won’t break your foot trying to find your copy of The Catcher in the Rye.
I think I’ll be sticking to my bracketed bookshelves for now, but I’d love to see a more affordable furniture company hit the books and produce something like Rainaldi’s literary storage sculpture. Are you there Ikea? It’s me, Amanda.
The Ptolomeo Rotating Bookcase is available exclusively at The Conran Shop. You can visit the store online at www.conranusa.com or in-store at 407 East 59th Street at 1st Avenue.
There are a lot of ways to save space, and I struggle to master most of them. It’s just not that intuitive to me. Built-in solutions work best sometimes, which is why you’ve got to keep Murphy beds in mind. One of my friends is fortunate to have one in his rented studio apartment. His one room living space becomes a bedroom with one pull down. It beats constantly having a bed in the middle of the apartment.
You can look into getting your own unique unit designed and installed at Murphy Bed XPRESS in Chelsea. The store has horizontal and vertical Murphy beds in all sorts of configurations and price ranges, with mattress sizes ranging from twin to king. There’s a sliding bookcase bed I’m fond of, as well as the traditional Murphy bed that folds into the wall. Murphy Bed XPRESS also has systems for space-efficient closet systems and home office set-ups.
Before considering a Murphy bed solution, you’ll have to know your room dimensions and how much of an investment you’re willing and able to make. I can’t see why renters couldn’t get their own system, as long as it isn’t a permanent wall unit.
Visit Murphy Bed XPRESS online at www.murphybedxpress.com or at 203 8th Avenue between 20th and 21st.
Months ago, I was on the quest for the perfect side table for my couch. My living room, like most in New York City, is small and my taste in couches is large, chaised, and down-stuffed. I wanted a piece that was sturdy solid wood, modern, and versatile. Ideally, it wouldn’t weigh a ton either, as I live on the third floor.
I found my match in an unexpected place -- Urban Outfitters. Say what you will about the clothes or the company, the L7 side table is a great find. A few design blogs online agree with me. Made of light, but strong, bamboo tops on stained wood frames, the table consists of squares that are super hip. The glues, stains, and sustainable bamboo are green, too.
Since my purchase, I’ve discovered a few other nice apartment finds at Urban Outfitters. The dishes are cute and inexpensive. Vintage-looking seating options could pass for something your grandma gave you, a look I dig. I have to say, most of the stuff I’ve seen does look better than what I’d find at Ikea.
Consider checking out Urban Outfitters if you’re looking for some affordable apartment furnishings and decorations. You might be surprised.
You can go to www.urbanoutfitters.com or one of these many NYC stores:
628 Broadway
374 Avenue of the Americas
999 3rd Avenue
162 2nd Avenue
2081 Broadway
526 Avenue of the Americas
166 Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)
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