It's sweet and cozy and I want to be invited to Sunday brunch there, but I don't think it's special design-wise. Are there waffles, though? I feel like this would be an apartment where someone would have really nice waffles on Sunday morning.

Maybe an omelet.

Is that a necktie as a tie-back? Perfect. And I really like the blackboard in the kitchen nook. And the sheet music.

Yay for Urbana. Former champaign resident myself while in grad school at U of I. It is great to see the growing reach of the site through these contest submissions from various places around the country.

I like the "tie" back. I agree with Ruth--what time for brunch? :)

I love the bedroom, the dining area, and especially the gold bathtub!

As a cord-challenged person, I'd like to suggest a bit more development in that area. Perhaps a length of PVC pipe or even dryer hose (you could spray paint it a cool color if so inclined). Or one of the commercial cord things.

I'm glad to see a place that looks not unlike mine!

I'm also a former resident of Champaign-Urbana, so I have to at least give props to someone for doing some interesting things with the spaces available there. I definitely like the sheet music idea.

I didn't even notice the "tie" back. Excellent DIY solution and a pun to boot!

If you have the funds for it, you can clean up the electronics even more by converting your printer/scanner into a wireless version with a USB pluggable wireless card so that you can put it in a cupboard or something (that is what I have done and it is not as inconvenient as it sounds) and finding some way of mounting that CPU under the table and above your keyboard tray. I see you already have a wirelss router and that can be hidden away even more than it is. You should be able to find an outlet for it in a more hidden place and then running cords for cable or DSL along baseboard and moldings should be able to hid the connection between the DSL point or cable modem and your router.

I think having all that stuff on your table detracts from the rest of the apt. Leaving just the LCD screen in obvious view would be a great improvement IMO.

AHHH!!! Get me away from here I'm dying!

Off you go then Rog

too much clutter

salivating over the chaise.

I like the chalkboards - that's a great idea - functional and interchangeable art. :)

Tie, cool.

THere's not a lot of innovation going on, space wise, but it's got a nice feeling, and works within the space.

It's nice, but I don't see anything particularly note-worthy about the design. The desk looks impossible to work at.

Love the old sheet music framed on the wall. I may have to steal that idea as I have a stack of old music that was my grandfathers.

Did you make a box out of an LP cover, following the instructions in "The Pad" book? I keep meaning to make one of those.

I know what you mean about electronics becoming the focus in small space: I keep my TV on a cart in a closet for just that reason.

This is an example of decoration as opposed to design.

Somebody needs to call a plumber - there's crap EVERYWHERE!

Way too cluttered!

I feel like this looks like the kind of place that belongs to someone warm and friendly.

I like the colors in the bedroom, the dresser, and that amazing gold tub. It's a bit cluttered though.

It is *not* cluttered, except for the wires.

We tend not to see a lot of places with a lot of books, which in a photo can look like too much visual noise. Last year, Leslie's Brooklyn Butt-Kicker (a fave of mine) had a lot of books, and she got the same reaction.

I was looking at my books last night with that very concern -- for next year.

There is stuff covering every single surface shown. That's clutter in my book.

The desk is totally filled up, with no where to work!

It looks like 1/3 of the dining table is taken up with plants.

In the bedroom shot the dresser is covered with items, as is whatever is at the foot of the bed.

The kitchen shot shows items on every surface.

Very cozy and inviting. I don't care that much for the desk and bookcases (though I love seeing book-filled apartments, don't get confused on that one!), but those aren't deal breakers.

I love the chaise and the hot pink color throughout the living room. I wish that they "popped" a bit more. There is a lot going on, but if that what makes you feel good (and it sounds like it does), then go for it.

I keep coming back to this one because there are a lot of things in it that I really like. The owner obviously has a lot of interests and brains. I'm frustrated, though, because there is a bit too much stuff going on. I think that with a little rearranging and a little purging, the things I really like--the sheet music, that crazy shiny red-and-gold couch, the yellow lamp on the dreser--would really be emphasized. I can't tell for sure, but it seems like there are two couches in the living room? And when you walk in the front door you see the bookcases? Could the bed be moved so the headboard is under the windows? Then the dresser might fit next to the bed--right now it looks like the owner has to get up to turn off the alarm clock (which would drive me crazy). I'm suggesting minimalist in any way, just a little tweaking.

Edit: That should read "I'm NOT suggesting minimalist."

The eclectic look only works when some of the items are good quality and good design.
This apartment looks like an estate sale.

This place is so apartment design anti-establishment. Wow! Could it be a mid-west thing?

Compare the collection of wood tones here (oak, maple, mahogany, walnut, dark wicker) with Alison's Design to the Max. What a difference. Don't most people find such a variety of wood tones disconcerting?

And isn't it a design faux pas to plaster furniture against the wall, as it is in the living room?

The colors in the bedroom are attractive however, they are totally overshadowed by the clutter and eclecticism.

On second thought, Molly is pulling our chains publishing these pictures. She is mocking us all! "...organized my phone, digital camera and USB hub inside an iron and rattan hideaway that matches the rest of my decor. " Organization? Matches? Come on, she can't be serious?

Why are we being serious trying to compliment or criticize her?

Aloha Ya'll

I really liked the chalkboard in the dining and the sheet music in the kitchen.

Mahalo for sharing and good luck!

Cooking Cajun

Thanks to all of you who posted nice things! As a matter of fact there were waffles for breakfast this morning at that very table. (Toaster waffles, but still.) Stop on by anytime.

Jeffery, I especially liked your post. It *does* need a little refining, and when I move into a non-grad-student-budget apartment after I get a new job, things will definitely be tweaked. To those who were wondering about the usability of the desk, it works fine for me. I work mainly on the computer, so I don't need a lot of flat space, and when I do that's what the kitchen table is for. (Also where I set up my sewing machine.) jamie pup had great suggestions about how to hide the computer and printer. If I was going to be here longer I'd definitely look into that.

Anyway, I'm glad some of y'all liked the coziness of it. It's a sweet little place to live. And for those who wondered about the bookcases, I personally think any home that doesn't have shelves of books is more than slightly odd. Guess that's why I ended up in library school, though!

I'm sorry to have shocked PPan's sensibilities so with my disconcerting use of multiple wood tones. How terribly déclassé of me. I will refrain from exposing my apartment to further view until I have the budget necessary to buy all my furniture in a matching set from Macy's.

(Subtext: fully aware of the "rule" about matching wood. Sometimes budget makes coordination impossible. The woods all work well together by adding a warm glow to the place when you're standing here in person looking at them, so for now the haters can bite me.) :)

I don't understand why people instantly call a space like this "cluttered." What is clutter? "Cluttered" to me is to have things in your space and your life that you do not use and have littered around for no real reason. This is not the case here. Indeed, the space is being used rather efficiently, provides a very welcome atmosphere and shows a lot of personality for the person that lives here. Are the books in the sheves? Can people sit comfortably and be entertained? Can work be done on the desk? Can sleep happen in the bed? Yes? Then what is the issue? I wouldn't go out to say that everything here is original, but it certainly shows more chops here to see things found outside of the IKEA catalog or using the DWR catalog as a crib sheet. Maybe it's a little on the side of "Country Living" and it certainly is not within my personal range of taste. But it works.

Since when does one HAVE to match wood tones. Give me a break! Matchy matchy isn't exactly high style, people.

Molly, thanks for sharing your space with us...you've got some great personal touches and wonderful uses of color. And, I like books!

Nice post, Bucoy. I'm fine with people owning lots of things, as long as they use them, the things have a home, and the things are arranged neatly. I think what's coming up here is the question "What is good interior design?" A lot of people seem to equate minimalism with good interior design, an attitude which I think is limiting. To me, clutter is stuff you don't use, stuff that gets in your way and/or stuff that has a negative effect on your frame of mind. I think if Molly did a little purging and a little rearranging she could emphasize the things she really likes without having to give up the goods related to her interests in things like reading and sewing.

Molly:
Telling people they can "bite me" isn't very lady like but it did make me laugh.

Christine (the one in DC), the mix of wood tones in John and Tup's Studio Loft proves your point that a mix of wood tones can be high style.

I love the "tie", computer area, and the blackboard. I don't think the kitchen chair fits, but it is functional I guess. I like the paint choice in the bedroom. Any chance the multi-function printer can go under the desk? It really would open up the desk area, the lamp would fit better, and it would be less obtrusive. -t

People, people, I helped Molly move her stuff into this apartment, and really wondered how she was going to make it all fit! I've been in there since she settled in, and it is truly amazing what a wonderful, comfortable feel it has. It doesn't feel busy or crowded at all. And it feels just like Molly. I'm not sure any other definition of design much matters to me, other than unique, comfortable, attractive space, cunningly put together, reflective of the owner.

Of course, I have lots of different woods and colors in my space as well....

"To me, clutter is stuff you don't use, stuff that gets in your way and/or stuff that has a negative effect on your frame of mind." Jeffrey, you are so right. I love that definition of clutter.

This space acheieved precisely what Molly wanted. It is warm and welcoming. 'nuff said.

nightmare.

Did anyone else notice that her claw foot tub is GOLD? That is fabulous! Way to go Molly for doing things your way. I'll be over soon for some waffles...

This is the first apartment that looks as if someone actually lives in it.

This feels like a college dorm.

Not "warm" enough, actually. Paint colors could be a little less obvious - just to make them fade back (warm grays instead of purple) I would take some of the more random pieces out, storage or something, and just keep it a little cleaner in terms of organizing the everyday things. bathtub is cool. No placemats in the photo would have helped, no miniblinds in the photos at all would have helped; solid colored duvet with big fluffy pillows and one big art piece behind the bed, and you'd have a better chance at this contest.

You need to win something, though, so you can pull it together with the furniture - too many beautiuful antique pieces are getting ignored by the newer-ikea-light-wood stuff. Overall, good for the heartland. It's not that you have to match wood at all, it's that the placement of different pieces need to stand on their own..let them speak, then, the newer stuff can be around too, it's just how to make the newer stuff fade into the background of the imagination...

stain_brawe@hotmail.com :))

awkward to me. get rid of your parents furniture and try again:)

Oh, and drop the old world fabrics