Rooma Review: Verdict October 16, 2008

We managed to clear the moving boxes (half unpacked) out of the living room in order to run our Rooma Pet Series this Saturday.

I realize now that the Roomba is for truly lazy people. I could’ve easily swept up the stray crumbs and litter in less than 10 minutes, and it took the Roomba about half an hour to fully cover the living room. It did do a great job, however, and I was genuinely shocked that it didn’t miss a single spot. I would see a few crumbs in a small area and think, “He (yes, our Roomba is male, I’ve decided) is going to miss those!” But he always managed to pick it up.

Roomba will probably most benefit people who want to just turn it on and walk out. It even docks itself after it’s done cleaning so it can fully charge for its next round.

All in all, a very smart little robot, and we’re happy with the purchase.

This Weekend: Settling In October 10, 2008

Matt still has not put together our Ikea dresser, and so, having no other home, clothes are still piled in heaps all over our living room. We bought a long, low dresser that’s almost like a console — I rather like the way it looks, despite its humble Ikea origins.

I still haven’t had a chance to test out my new Roomba, which we’ve already dubbed “Bob.” I read the instruction manual which advises “setting up virtual walls” in order to keep the Roomba in one room until its finished its job there… but I have no idea how to set up a virtual wall, or even what that is? Hmm.

Chiasso September 10, 2008

Does anyone know about the quality of Chiasso furniture? I like the modern look of the sofas, but some of them are almost too inexpensive for comfort! Like this “Soho Club Sofa” upholstered in leather for just $1,398. I’m not sure you could find a leather sofa at Ikea for that amount.

Cat Shelves September 5, 2008

5-month old Abyssinian Blue, Zidane is a very lucky kitten. First, because he lives with his parents Cybelle and Davide in this beautiful modern loft in San Francisco, and second, because his mom and dad built these shelves especially for him to traverse from the kitchen to the bedroom.

And this project didn’t even involve a trip to IKEA, just some regular shelves with brackets from the hardware store, topped with 15 sample Flor tiles.

Beautiful!

- ModernCat.net

Our new loft looks quite a lot like this one, with the white walls and exposed concrete (but I realize lofts more or less look the same!). What a wonderful project! I will urge my boyfriend to break out his toolbox.

The only hesitation I have is that my cat weighs about 20 pounds. He’s a hefty little guy (not fat, just stuffed with love).

Also, it took him about 9 months to finally reach the top “floor” of his current “kitty kondo.” How well he’ll take to the cat shelves, I don’t know.

But it’s a brilliant concept. Bravo to this San Francisco couple for being such thoughtful pet owners!

Cheap or affordable? August 23, 2008

This mid-century style sofabed is from, of all places, Urban Outfitters. I get some cheap-thrill t-shirts from UO, but would I buy a couch? For just $550, it may be worth the risk. 

In late September, about half a month after we move into our new loft, my boyfriend and I may be hosting some out-of-town houseguests. It would be great to provide them with a place to sleep, and I’m not sure there’s enough space to spread out an air mattress AND accomodate an existant sofa. This could be the perfect solution.

I’m completely taken aback at how inexpensive this sofa is, however. I prefer not to own disposable furniture, as I currently do. I don’t mind paying a little more for a good sofa that will last… but maybe I won’t have to?

Office Nook August 13, 2008

Image from Apartment Therapy

I just love everything about this little office nook: how the yellow canvas plays off the yellow chair, the strange black print with San Francisco street names written on it, the clusters of cheerful daisies. Goes to show that us city-dwellers don’t have to have much space in order to carve out a happy little work space.

Have a seat August 7, 2008

Phillip Starck’s “Victoria Ghost Chair” MoMAstore.org

Perfect for a small space. Somehow both visually inconspicous yet arresting.

My boyfriend and I are moving into a loft and plan to buy a couple of these for our non-existant dining room. I just wonder if they will yellow in sunlight, or are easily scratched and nicked?

Where New Yorkers Live August 5, 2008

Well… a rarified breed of New Yorkers, that is…

On the Upper East Side:

In Chelsea:

Greenwich Village:

Images from nycinside.com

Beautiful Apartments August 4, 2008