I think your story sums up the reason this entry doesn't quite pop; you haven't lived in the space long and have been rushing to put your major pieces together. In a year, once you've had time to settle in and collect some personal objects (and add an accent color or two!), the space will come together.

I think you're doing pretty darn well with your limited time and money. It's nice to see a rented space in this contest, too; many of us can't even paint the walls, let alone rip out corridors or install slim new appliances, even if we could afford the thousands of dollars to do so.

Isn't there a category between "cool - has potential" and "rubbishola?" Currently it seems a bit bachelor-pad-ish. Clearly there has been some effort put forth to make it comfortable, but as a whole it seems unfinished.

I agree with ws. This apartment is nice for not having been lived in very long, but it will benefit from more time.

An area rug and some strong pieces for the walls (or paint, if you're allowed to) would go a long way. I would also get a headboard for your bed to act as a room divider and block the view of the mattress from the entryway. Also, consider other furniture arrangements and even painting your desk and/or the TV stand to either blend in with the wall or go together. You have a lot of pieces right now in that big living area, but it's not really cohesive.

I'm not in love with the color scheme or the furniture, but there is something oddly appealing about those kitchen cabinets, and I am a fan of using maps for decorating (although it's hard to tell but that one looks like it's just tacked up there on the wall). I also like the "Forza Juve" banner: it's fun and graphic and not something you'd see in any old American home.

It's really not "there" yet. But I would love to see what the space looks like in a year, after you've lived in it (and experienced the balcony) and had some time to assess what works and what doesn't.

I agree with the general tenor of the comments above. But I am damn impressed with anyone who moves, views, rents and starts a job over a course of 4 days. If I had to do that, we'd all probably be looking at a picture of folding chairs and a pile of take out containers. I appreciate the willingness to work with strong colors as well.

it's got a ways to go before it loses it's brown elephant hodge-podge vibe.

i'm sorry. i just don't like it enough. HOWEVER, it is cute & looks comfy.

Wow, I am really impressed by your apartment. It must be because I love the colors... two of my favorite! I think a few more wall decorations might help, but I LOVE the thing you have going on with the drapes. And way to make use of space and use all bargin stores. You deserve to win. You seem like a great guy Johnny!!!!

You're new to town, but for the recored, Brown Elephant benefits the Howard Brown Health Center. What's that you say?

"Howard Brown is the Midwest’s premier lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health care organization, and leads the region in addressing the comprehensive health care needs of people in the LGBT community."

That globbygook above should read "Midwest's."

Johnny,
You have the right idea. I think you just need a little help with the execution. If you want some free advice let me know!

I definitely need to check out Brown Elephant. I don't spend enough time in thrift stores.

Perhaps it was a little too soon to enter the smallest coolest apartment contest.

as stated above, the Brown Elephant supports the Howard Brown Health Center. The White Elephant in Lincoln Park supports Children's Memorial Hospital.

It's way too cluttered for my taste and you can tell it was rushed. Take your time, babe. You'll save money and headaches.

Other than that, Welcome to MY city. You're gonna love it!!

there was no way I was going to list this as a rubishola as this seems to be not quite there yet, and rubishola is just plain Rude.

I think you've done nicely for the time/money you've been able to spend on the place. As time goes on you may want to think about not having a couch, TV, table and bed all in your space. You may want to exchange the couch for a couple of chairs that would give you more space. Or maybe you'll luck across an amazing day bed that can serve as a couch in the day and bed at night.

that orange and that green don't really go with each other.

That orange couch ROCKS, but what's under that cushion?!
Introduce some other tones of those oranges, salmons and greens you already have and add some dark browns or lime greens maybe... right now just a little too matchy for me, color-wise, but it's all a work in progress— thanks for showing off and welcome to Chicago!
cute cat on the table, too.

Off topic, but it’s funny that you graduated from UPS because I’m a junior there. Crazy Internet! Nice to know that technology can connect people a thousand miles apart who just a year ago probably bumped into each other on the way to class. It’s like the six degrees of separation in action…and it must be true because Kevin Bacon actually visited our campus. So I guess that makes us one degree.

You've done a great job in such a short time - I'd love to see how it looks in a year or so. Cute cat!

The orange couch and those strange curtains that look like they are wearing belts are a losing factor.

Looks comfy. But Smallest Coolest is not the place for this.

Would love to see it in a year.

Congratulations on your new Chicago adventures tho!!

Wow! That apartment looks soo familiar. That's 441 West Oakdale, right? I lived in a studio there with the EXACT same layout last year. You're right, the windows are nice, and believe me, that balcony rocks in summer.