Category Archives: 5 Things For The Homme

Dear Diary,

So now that I’ve moved into my gross West Hollywood Hills apartment and I have no furniture, it’s time to get cracking on buying stuff. Luckily, I find myself shopping for the show almost every single day, so I have ample time to look around and research things I might like to add to my place. Right now, finding a dresser is my biggest priority. Firstly, because I have a ridiculous amount of clothing, and second because all my socks and underwear are in shopping bags in my bedroom. It’s totally impossible to get dressed every day. Thus, DresserSearch 2011. Below are a few selections I found at an antique mall, and some I found through online research.

Wertz Brothers Furniture, West Los Angeles

I like this one because it’s totally 60s and fun. And not bad for $179. I kind of hate that it’s painted with black speckles though so I’d probably just paint the whole thing high gloss white or grey, with a different trim color to bring out the details.

This one is super luxe, love the imbedded handles that lay superflat when closed. $249.

This one is kind of boring, but I can see it working in a Valley Of The Dolls style bedroom. Which isn’t exactly what I’m going for… $199.

Steppe Five Drawer Chest from Crate & Barrel

This one is nice because it’s so simple. Feels very 60s and adequately masculine for my taste. $1,299.

Engan from Ikea

To be honest, I’ve seen this one in person and it looks kind of cheap because of the veneer, but it does photograph beautifully and it has a playful 1960s sensibility about it. This is a case of great design, poor construction. $149.

Not sure which, if any, of these dressers I’ll choose, but it’s a good start. At this point, anything is better than the mess of sock-filled shopping bags that carpets my bedroom floor.

Love,
Orlando

Dear New Gross Apartment I Just Signed For Yesterday,

I saw you, you were disgusting, but I saw potential. I just signed a lease for an apartment at the base of the Hollywood Hills, two blocks north of the West Hollywood border. It’s right off Laurel Canyon, the longtime home of one of my heros, Joni Mitchell. To make a long story short, it’s a one bedroom (makeover story forthcoming) and I plan to use the living room as a guest bedroom when I have friends visiting from New York and the northern wilds of California, our great Golden State. My first big purchase is going to have to be a sleeper sofa, because as much as I love aerobeds, they are kind of a pain to set up. It’s like “Hey, it’s bedtime, I’m sleepy!” and then by the time you blow up the thing and put all the sheets/blankets on it you’re awake again from all the exercise. Anyway, I’ve always found sleeper sofas totally gross, but I have seen a few in passing that I thought were nice, so here they are:

Lubi Daybed from CB2

This one I just think is so cute and clever. It’s a daybed which seems like it could fit in at a psychotherapist’s office. Which is basically what my apartment becomes whenever a friend visits anyway.

Night and Day Convertible Sofa from Urban Outfitters

Who could be offended by this? It’s so simple and streamlined. Definitely under consideration…

Encore Sofa from Room & Board

I like this one because it says “What? I’m a sleeper sofa! Deal with it!” Instead of trying to act like it’s a big poufy sofa it admits that it’s just there so your friends and family can use your apartment like a free hotel, leaving behind a trail of untidiness and tears.

Natasha Comfort Sleeper from The Sofa Company

I like this one, but I kind of think it’s for girls so I wouldn’t want it for myself. But you can buy it if you want. If you’re a girl.

Twilight Sleeper Sofa from DWR

This is kind of like the rich uncle to the CB2 Lubi Daybed. This one is fancier, but that giant length-long pillow really prohibits any sort of psychoanalysis. Avoid if you have friends with a lot of emotions.

What I learned from doing this post is that I like mid-century stuff a lot more than I thought I did. I find myself attracted to the mid-centuriest of the sleeper sofas. Only time will tell which one I’ll actually get, but I can’t wait to get settled in my new apartment. Glamour.

Love,
Orlando