Name: James
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size & Type: 520 Sq ft, studio
Favorite resource:
Intuition. Less is always more. Buy the best you can at any level and always mix high with low. Do not save the good stuff for later- Enjoy it now.
Pitch:
Sophisticated chic meets midas touch. The glow of honey onyx inspires this modern space. A base of barely warm white lets the architecture of each piece stand out focusing your eye on its form rather than "lack" of space. Tactile elements beg you to experience the space: Burlap, linen, lacquered bronze and Chinese goat hair. Warm metals warm up and add touch of formality. Custom designed mult-purpose element reign: Console to dining table, desk to server, closet to office, unseen light sources add Ambient light that enlarges the space.

Your favorite element:
The custom bronze fridge - so chic

" 
Comments (26)
It's these spaces I wish I could see more of! Quantity vs. quality is the phrase my grandma always quoted. But sometimes that's just not possible. But aquiring some really great pieces and mixing them with less expensive pieces, in just the right, way makes an absolute striking statement! Great Place!
are those donut like things...candles? my god.
I like this. Something about the colour in the photo #1 I think is off (slightly fuzzy or soft?) but I like what you have done. I love that you labeled your layout with your various storage/creative solutions...Example bar/workspace/buffet - that is definetly multi-tasking! And upon closer inspection I notice other neat ideas (the stack of magazines holding up the shelf in the 2nd photo). Maybe its the shade of white on the wall but they feel a bit stark to me...have you considered accenting the wall behind your desk? The more I look back at these photos the more I like it. Would love to see more - like your diy bronzed fridge. Well done.
oh, this place is fabulous....
love: anything made of animal (the horn-legged side tables, the hide rug), the thick glass hurricane with the cactus in it (what exactly IS that plant, its wonderful), that gold table, the arched doorway into your glowing bedroom, the reading lamps at the end of each couch, the little ready-to-serve bar tray...
dont love: the couch...seems a bit overstuffed for the space, would love to see something a bit simpler and with less pillows. the gauzy curtain in the living room...when paired with the organic motion of the rug, it's too much in that small space.
cant WAIT to see more photos (and get answers to everyone's questions!).
im voting finalist!
oh, and what is that low bench/shelf made out of? stacks of magazines?
There should be some award for creative use of the floorplan to include more photos! Sneaky!
I love how warm and bright this looks! Definitely don't get rid of the white wall. I don't think they look "stark" at all. I really hope we get to see more of this one.
Can you tell us where the chairs are from?
Can you tell us where the gauzy curtains came from?
Please tell me those are giant slabs of selenite under your table (to non-rock-geeks: the things that look like big pieces of white wood in picture 3)...these are the first prominent minerals I have seen displayed in the contest!
Beautiful apartment. Excellent and creative buffet/bar area; I have been trying to find something similar that will also work for seasonal clothes storage.
And you have my vote.
i think they're prolly white birch logs. those are one of The home accessories this season ;)
maybe I'm a stickler, but I think that photos in the floorplan = cheating!!
cute place, tho.
love it, but the pitch wasn't fun to read :-/
Love it! Very small, very cool, very chic! So inspirational...
I know I should be commenting on the design ("cool, has potential" - buffet and console table being the coolests parts), but I'm too caught up in the missing "s" - "James'S Chic Studio."
Unless this is the where Mr. and Mrs. Jame live?
I've already admitted that this is a sickness, but thank you for your consideration.
Hmm... Don't the supplimental photos attached to the blueprint amount to a breaking of the 3 photo limit rule...?
Not to sound snarky but those 5 extra photos allow them to show more of the apt and as such possibly get an advantage on the other contestants...
AT- if you are going to write rules please adhere to them...
Way to sneak in some extra photos. Not sure about that bronze fridge though...
Looks beautiful. Clean and simple with great style.
To make it fair for everyone the layout photos have been deleted.
-Richele
goodnightdean:
Nowadays I rarely get to read a sentence like,
love: anything made of animal (the horn-legged side tables, the hide rug)
I admire your courage.
James:
I like your place though I would probably get rid of the "folded" rug in the living room and maybe that black magazine rack on the floor. Nice overall though.
It looks too much like a furniture store or a page ripped out of a furniture magazine. Where's the quirky personal stuff?
Yes, where did you get the amazing horn-legged table?
Love the colour scheme in the first picture!
http://kittyrenovates.blogspot.com/
Hi Everyone--James here--
Foremost, let me say how flattered I am by all those who have taken time to comment (both praise and critique). Its quite welcoming and gracious. I truly submitted on a whim with the nudge of a good friend....so its exciting to see how my little place has beed recieved.
Hi All:
Here are some answers to your comments and questions...
I definetely believe in quality vs. qty! AND the mix of high low...keeps things interesting and blurs the line between expensive and not so expensive.
the "doughnuts" are actually larage apples...and yes they are candles. :)
goodnight: I too love the animal elements! (the horn table was such a find...and affordable! MY secret--Z Gallerie--under $200. I painted the silver edge bronze to match the other metals ) The rug is goat...(the "folded" look is from the individual hides when they are sewn together....think big rectangles put together)..I have an amazing antique starburst mirror in bone as well...hopefully I get to share that as well:)
The cactus is Pencil Cactus...you can find at local garden centers
skippyb: keen eye. selenite indeed! i instantly fell in love with them though I didnt know what I was going to do with them.
The drapery I had sewn by my local workroom. Its "hankerchief" linen...and like the walls...is just barely ivory. I found the fabric downtown for an unbeliveable deal...like $12.00 per yard!
Caitlin: I, literally, tested 9 different whites for the walls until i arrived at the perfect choice.Thanks for back up:) The chairs are custom but covered in regular ol' burlap. its the mix- high /low :)
Thanks again for your feed back! :)
I'm in love with that white painting-like-thing on your wall in the living room. I'd love to know the name of the artist!!!
Hi, nice apartment. I wanted to ask you where did you find that slim console table that converts to a dining table. All my searches lead me to the Design Within Reach "Lance" table but at $1400 I'm forced to keep searching. I apreciate it. :)
Guido in Miami