Lane the photographer is doing a great job -- it's a pleasure looking at these finalists' apartments through her lens.

Paul, your place is so warm and homey! It's really amazing that you've fit all your books in and it doesn't feel overwhelmed with 'stuff.' Super job. Your kitchen looks fun to cook in. The brick wall and sink area are beeee-u-tiful. I want a fireplace.

This apartment is fantastic! It is warm and homey and has a "real person's" amount of STUFF in it! Great job! Great colors! Great apartment!

No doubt this is a very neatly designed apartment, though I still don’t get the partition. It seems unnecessary and kind of awkward. I do like the house tour, so you can get a better sense of the flow. How are the knives stored on the counter, Paul? I guess some kind of built it, but it looks pretty cool. It’s a really beautiful space and I have to say I like it more this time around. Every bit of the space (except that pesky partition) seems well designed and to make the most of the small space. Much of this came from the fellow who actually designed the space, but I think you’ve made it your own and worked well with the space. I like the kitchen table and bonus points to anyone who can deal with a Murphy bed on day-to-day basis. It will be interesting to see what else you come up with as time goes on!

Whoa...paul has a gaming rig?

I totally missed the workign firplace the 1st time around. The counter tops as well.

Cozy yet clean and modern. Great use of space. Love the gun vase; did you make that or puchase it? The paint choice is perfect...can I ask what color?

wow -- this has gone from "eh" to tip-top of my list, thanks largely to your talented photog -- I feel like I "get" this place now, and it's gorgeous. Even though you inherited a place with good bones, not everyone could have put it together so tastefully. Everything about it -- the couch, the gun vase with roses, the tuquoise grandma chairs -- is perfect. Extra bonus points for displaying/shelving your books -- too rare in this contest!

This place is dope!

I absolutely love the reading nook...I would live there just for that little space. It's perfect! And teh fireplace...WOW!

The kitchen is wonderful too. The colors are warm and inviting. Love the use of flowers everywhere.

I'm also a little confused about the partition but it may be that just I don't "get it"

I agree that this photographer is really opening the door wider and sharpening the focus on these apartments -- this one looks quite good in these pictures. Of course, having a second chance to be photographed, the dwellers themselves might be being even more mindful of things, too.

I'm very opposed to guns, but that vase with the roses in it is such a genius, thought-provoking piece of dangerous beauty, and those turquoise chairs are such a perfect splash of color in there, that it almost makes one take the excellent layout and the touchable finishes for granted. The fact that Paul isn't completely responsible for every single piece of the execution of the renovation process is irrelevant.

It will be interesting to see what changes you plan to bring to this space. I also am puzzled by the pivoting partition. It may be a clever idea, but does not see well utilized in this space. Yes, it does partially separate the living/dining area from the bedroom and bath, but just barely. I know it wasn't your installation, so I'm wondering if you find it useful?

wow, so many things i did not notice with the first photos! i LOVE the brick in this apartment, i'm a complete sucker for brick walls. and i love the color, especially your really fun bedding. beautiful.

You know Curtis, your reaction to the gun/ roses was quite profound, however maybe Paul's just a major 'Guns and Roses' fan! ;)

Actually, I *do* "get" the pivoting wall - I think it's good for your head to separate your sleeping space from the rest of the apartment.

I like the space, but I do wonder how much of the credit goes to the previous owner - although, I can imagine any number of ways that these "good bones" could have been ruined by the design-challenged.

The lucite "bookcases" are fantastic, and granny's blue chairs - super. My one major dislike (entirely subjective) is the yellow on the walls. With the blue chairs, it's a little too pastel/easter-egg for me. A different color, I think, could make the space both playful AND - hmmm, what's the right word? - elegant? But again, that's just me - and who the hell am I?

I think the gun vase is a Phillipe Stark piece--didn't he also do a Machine Gun Lamp?

The gun vase is ridiculously cool. Every man should have one - you can put flowers in there and still feel masculine

cozy, warm - i'd love a romantic place like this....and with a fireplace? that is key !

The apartment is fantastic, but the decorations leave much to be desired. The shelving and partition make wonderful use of the space, and the countertops serve as a wonderful bridge from the more tradition look of the exposed brick to the contemporary features of the partition and closet space.
The furniture lacks that same sense of cohesiveness, though. Generally, I think matching all one's pieces is a bad idea, but having a bit of rhyme and reason is required. Priority #1 - ditch the makeshift couch. It reminds me of the talking garbage heap from Fraggle Rock. Same goes for your bedding - no man should sleep in a Paul Smith shopping bag. Also, let's try to resolve the relationship between Grandma's chairs and the sleek surgical tabletop you've got.

The pale yellow walls could go, but what's worse is the jungle of house plants. I like greenery as much as the next person, but if you wanted to live in a grass hut you moved to the wrong city. Unless of course you borrow some of the upholstery from Finalist #4 - perfect for the urban loincloth.

Hey N. For a place you think is "fantastic", you seem to only like the partition, shelving and exposed brick... "Garbage heap from Fraggle Rock"? "Paul Smith shopping bag"? And from Patrick's thread... "Barf"? "QVC"? Could you be any more vitriolic?

I like Paul's place quite a bit. And I'm sure he's very proud of it... Maybe a little restraint on your part is in order when commenting on these threads--out of respect for these people if nothing else? These folks have opened up their homes for scrutiny. You could be a little more sensitive to that.

Your comments come off as moronic, not clever.

These people have opened up their incredible spaces for one thing and one thing only - to be judged. They spend a lot of money securing these spaces and, in some cases, decorating them. The least we can do is offer our advice for free!

Paul's place is a work in progress, and I'm simply pointing out that change is good. And changing his couch would be a good place to start.

Love this apartment-- and I'm not sure why this is bothering me so-- short of simply not being able to quite figure out the space--but upon reviewing the slide show several times I must ask if the stainless table is sitting in front of the entry door in many of these shots?

"No man should sleep in a Paul Smith shopping bag."

So a "MAN" should sleep in - - what? Would this be different from what a "WOMAN" should sleep in? And would this be based on your conceptions of what a "MAN" and a "WOMAN" are supposed to be?

Snif - snif - is that the scent of the gender police?

Oooh... are you flirting with me, "N"? I want to thank everyone for their comments... but yours are tough and useful at the same time... Kind of bittersweet, the way I like my chocolate...

In response to your comments... The makeshift couch is one of the things to be changed in the future, but it serves its purpose for now. Priority #1, however, is to drop a nice piece of bluestone hearth into the floor to bring the fireplace into conformity with NYC Fire/Building code. But believe me... the couch is coming.

The bedding... I happen to like it, but would definitely like to find something else that works. We'll see.

The relation of the chairs to the table may be something to consider... after the couch!

The walls only look pale yellow... they are really chartreuse... it's a greenish-yellow Martha Stewart paint... Lady Slipper (orchid) is the name, I forget the number.

As far as the plants go... Well, let's just say we disagree. Love having plants in my home, and it helps to keep the humidity levels where they should be when the winter comes in NYC and the heat sucks all the moisture out of the air. So they're staying!

Other people have asked about the pivoting partition... It's there to divide the space on occasion... If I have a guest or two and want to divide the space for sleeping, or just have a change from the norm.

Again, Thanks to everyone for all your comments! Back to the competition...

I agree with pphillipp, separating your living space from your sleeping space is good for your head - or at least my head.

I lived in a studio for a year and a good deal of thought went into placing the bed so that my brain and nerves would rest comfortably; I wanted to feel secure and not so open to the whole room. Balancing this with open living in the studio was tricky but Paul's partition deals with it well.

I love Grandma's chair. It just jumped out of the picture. You are so lucky to have a family basement to scavange.

Paul is, simply put, a prince among men. Bravo, Paul, Bravo!

Glad to hear the pivoting wall works for your needs Paul. In looking at this place again the one design flaw that really bugs me which may not have an easy solution is the murphy bed where you sleep with your head virtually in the oven! Doesn't seem too healthy to me.

Haha - this time I found some of N's comments funny and not because this is Paul's place. Being a Brit I appreciate this kind of humour but you didn't nail it until now.
Having said that you were quite constructive too.

Back to Paul's place. I think I was the first one to question the utility of the pivoting wall but I can see more clearly in these pictures where its resting place is and I do like that. I had originally thought it blocked the closet but the short end of the L butts neatly to the side of the closet. Having said this, that part gets in the way of the table when opened so I think the partition would be better off without the it. You would still get the divider between sleep area and the other area.

Overall, still like this apt.

Paul, cool apartment. I actually like the sofa. Where'd you find the great cushions leaning against the wall?

Warm yet bright. Traditionalish and contemporary. Nice use of color. Design that feels personal, that doesn’t scream “Design!” Beautiful.

I like the colors and incongruous look of the shabby chic/coffeehouse/Fraggle Rock sofa, but it doesn’t seem that fun to sit on…. Might a folding screen or curtain be less awkward than that pivoting wall?… The bathroom feels stark – maybe hang a picture? (Interesting to note there’s nothing hanging on the walls in this apartment.)

Having been the first one to challenge Paul to show his place way back when, I just want to say I LOVE IT! Even though you didn't design the built-ins yourself, it takes some kind of talent to find a place like this in NYC. Also, I like the imperfect, funny touches like grandma's chairs and the couch. This isn't a hotel, after all.

Your place also looks to me like you have a life beyond decoration and cleaning, which is healthy. Some of the other finalists' places, despite their sizes, seem overwhelming to take care of.

You seem to have more of a European sensibility, similar to Hillary's but less extreme. I prefer that. If you look at some forein magazines, like my fave Case da Abitare, I think they are often less perfect and more stylish than ours. I am so sick of the "more and bigger and more expensive is better" metality. Plus, perfections is so overrated, if it exists at all.

My one suggestion would be to hang nice fabric or something on the wall behind the bed, so that your face isn't smack up against the brick when you are in bed. (of course there's also the quick fix of making your partner sleep on that side;)

Paul is a lucky bachelor... landed into someone else's nicely designed apartment and inputted his books and plants. If not the tasteless gun vase, that classic mug in the bathroom is surely a tip off...

Unlike so many other commentators, I LOVE your couch--it's a fantastic use of found materials and I think it's quite beautiful. If you want to buy another, well, so be it. I think it's wonderful as it is.

KUDOS on your skills in making the partition (which makes sense to me--how could one live without some sort of partition somewhere?) and the FABULOUS table. I'm so very impressed with it and would very much like to know how you put it together.

I also have questions about the shelves. Is that copper tubing and then shelves? Would it be possible to put something like that together if one didn't have a sturdy brick wall to support it?

Your apartment shows that one can live with tons of books and still have a clean, spare feeling in the home. My own extensive collection of books is far messier and obtrusive although I have bookcases.

Good luck to you. SUPER JOB!

One more question. Is your office in a closet or is it a corner with shelving? Would you please comment rather extensively on it? I'm so impressed with it.

Not to give away any secrets, but the gun vase is sold at moderngent.com slash site slash threegunvase.php! it's beautiful...

I like Paul's the best!

Incredible!

Wow, Paul, I wasn't particularly impressed with the first photos but I very much am with these. Lovhe chartreuse walls. No need to resolve anything between granny's chairs and the table. I think they are Fabboo together. Love the plants. Love the brick. I think you could use some color in the bathroom. Or maybe some lucky bamboo? Also, I'm in the anti-partition crowd. But if it makes you happy, more power to you.
P.S. I think N's remarks are are MUCH more civilized than they were to Patrick, so we're making progress. I can live with this sort of criticism, not the pvs. Thanks N, for taking it down a notch in volume and upping the insight.

Having seen only a few Murphy beds in my whole life, most if not all of them on AT (I am relatively new to NYC), I am amazed that this is the only one I've seen whose long side lines up with the wall. It seems like an infinitely more economical use of the empty space you have to leave open for the bed to come down... even if it does mean having your head near the oven.

Paul, your space is warm, lively, and full of character... congratulations!

I love the wall colors! Wonderful use of space. Very innovative ideas!

Warm and great use of space.The colours are fantastic! Nice furniture. The best!

Love it! Cozy, warm & inviting. Fireplace is great! Utilizes space well!!

By far, the best of the bunch. This space is warm, inviting, rich in color, innovative and interesting. The others are...so bland and boring.

Nice job!

Dear Paul,
Please put the couch across the end of the room under the windows. At least try it, you might like it. Or make it L-shaped. You can build a platform for the couch with 2x10s and plywood.
Maybe a plant shelf behind it.