hOLY CRAP....it even looks larger.
My only pet-peeve is art laying on the floor against the wall. You can't enjoy them that way...but everything else is just BEAUTIFUL.

I hardly ever dislike anything on this website but come on he lost a table and an a/c. Of course the room is going to look bigger. Sometimes spaciousness < functionality.

The sleeping area is pretty, but does anyone need TEN(!) pillows on his bed? Good grief. You know the vast majority of those pillows get tossed to the floor at night.

Also, it looks like the AC unit is covered by leaning pictures against it . . . ?

I prefer design that I don't have to dismantle to use the space, especially such a small space.

Love the little bird in the window!

@Andrew: they hid the A/C behind that art 'cleverly' (I suppose they thought) leaned against it on the floor below the window.

It looks like they even replaced the hardwood floors. Wondering about the price tag, but it does look stunning.

I think its is a lovely and amazing redo. Such a light and fresh update to the space. Kudos for bring a horribly trapped-in-the-90s space into this decade!

If you look closely, the AC unit isn't gone, it is covered by the art on the floor - a great "hide" of an ugly necessity.

The table was redundant to the counter bar. I assume the bar couldn't be done away with in the unit, so why not use it as a main dining option and save space on a table for four (that I would bet was rarely used to seat four guests at a time)? Most small apartment dwellers would be well off to make the same choice. How often do you need a full table?

I love the bed nook! Would like more info on the "custom" bed. Always love knowing how people do things for inspiration.

Also love that the whole look builds on the light in the room!

This apartment was designed for specifically for a man? I'm surprised. There are very few masculine elements. Now, the before picture... that was ALL man.

Nice!

It went from looking like an early 90s dorm room, to looking like the home of a granny in her early 90s.

Not really my style, but it's definitely an improvement.

I agree with kellieinCA. I'm having a hard time imagining that a man uses this space. It almost looks more like a middle-aged woman lives there. I appreciate losing the dated, dorm room feel, but I can't see many men enjoying such a feminine space.

I think it looks masculine. The burl table helps with that. I don't see why a bachelor place has to have no "feminine" elements, anyway. Even in kids' rooms, the gender aspect is often tackily overplayed; for adults, it's just silly to restrict decor with such artificial "rules."

To me, it's amazing how upholstery that matches the wall color makes the place look SO much more expansive.

I like the floors in the before picture... I don't knwo why people get rid of perfectly fine hardwoods to replace with generic looking engineered wood that you probably can't refinish.

I do like the coffee table though.

Just a heads up...

I believe it's Gramercy Park, not Gramery Park.

liked the before better-clean out the micro wave corner top and bottom. put away that blue thing on the sofa and fluff those pillows, clean off that table top and please even out those shades!

I guess those frames were set in there to cover the AC

I don't understand why some people think all men prefer manly apartments. I can see more men appreciating the after apt and not the before apt.

Some of these changes seem very smart: the translucent stools at the counter take care of the need for a table, orienting the seating around the window gives it a nice nook, and the abundant sofa space makes it very inviting.

Still, I cannot put my finger on why this reminds me of The Golden Girls. There is a super unintentional yet present granny vibe. The newer floor looks very cookie-cutter contractor. I am missing the multi-cultural element - silk from Asia? Does the artist of the painting fit the bill?

Over all I think this client got taken to the cleaners. There was no need for such custom work in order to achieve this look. And the one thing that should have been custom, a cover for the A/C, had a pretty lame fix. Propping pictures against the A/C is very clever if you have no budget.

I think it looks much better! And I LOVE that coffee table! Im not a big fan of art on a floor either(to me it always looks like you havent gotten around to hanging it yet!) but I see why they used it this way.The bed nook is fabulous!

That coffee table is gorgeous. I'd love to see a bit more earthy/rustic artwork/accessories to pair with it. But what a great space and a real improvement.

That art above the sofa looks like an intussusception.

ugliest. coffee table. ever.

The artwork on the floor covers up the A/C. Clever for the winter.

Mmm... too many pillows and cushions...

you mean because it was not-designed vs. a nice design now? hello sterotype. I think the design is pretty neutral.

Love the after room, the hiding of the AC and the removal of the old student-appartment like table and sofa. (black metal/glass ..ugh, so 90s suburbian)

The coffee table does not fit. I hope that was a bargain find. Also, for a such a small space, I would want a more "functional" and sleek table with room for storing magazines out of sight. Lots of pillows...and i imagine they get thrown to the floor when laying on the bed or sitting on the couch. Lastly, I miss the dining area. I would've taken a smaller "living room" space for the ability to have a small dining set. Ahh, NYC living...

I spent an unusually long amount of time staring at the after photos to figure out why this room seemed "off". Maybe it's just my own personal taste, but I think the icy blue and metallics and purple are too much all together, especially when you throw in a coffee table base that reminds me of those black panther statues or lamp bases. Also, the scale of that little framed print beside the big painting is killing me.

Sorry. Not my cup of tea. Nice neutral sofa and bar stools, though. :)

Cleaning the window helped a lot!

The room looks so much brighter now...

The "before" version may not be chic or curated but it is how a lot of people live and I prefer it to the "after" version. I suppose he could have bought a larger rug for the living room and described the couch as "shabby chic" for change.

The coffee table is perfect....and its the perfect scale.

Im a little concerned that this was done in "a speedy 3 months" - There wasnt that much construction involved. Hhhhhmmmm maybe Im misunderstanding and more info is needed?

Too many pillows; ALL over! Looks nice, but not for a guy; the curtains hiding the bed etc. Like the hardwood floors, not likely the AC will be used soon, so big art hiding it, fine. Hate to admit it, but that's the first 'piece of nature wood made into a table' that I actually like. Still, it would have been perfect w/o the glossy varnish or poly coating.

Shame about the removal of what looked like perfectly good hardwood floors.

Lovely redo with a modern Asian aesthetic.

Overall I like the before better, but the addition of the sleeping nook in the after is a huge factor. I've lived in enough urban studios for that to be a tipping point for me!

WOW--what a huuuuge difference! The space looks soo much larger than before! It's gorgeous. :-)

That's a really, really nice re-do. It looks a lot larger, both from your clever spacing and choice of colors.

I don't agree with those who said that art leaning against a wall can't be "enjoyed" that way but in this case, there's limited space and I think it looks cluttered. That's the only thing I'd change, moving those two prints to either a wall or another room. It looks unintentional in a way and because the room is small, a bit messy.

Many things about this are really attractive, but I must admit that my first impression was the someone had died and left a lot of money, and goodness they even added a view. Just joking, really, it's nice.

It's the bed nook. Those curtains are 100% granny. There is nothing modern about this apartment. Everything is just on the edge of being kitschy.

Love it. I would kill for that coffee table.

Elle Urker, there is nothing "granny" about the curtains. I think they have the perfect pattern for that apartment. Granny curtains look very different.

I think the whole space looks lighter, brighter, more spacious, and pulled together. The clear bar stools are a great idea because they don't take up visual space. I don't know if they are comfortable or not. The large sectional in the light color provides lots of comfortable seating and seems to blend into the walls to make the space airy, not cluttered. The bed nook provides privacy and separation. I do agree that the pillows, art, and curtains are a feminine palette. To make the space more neutral, modern, or masculine, simply change them. Since the coffee table is so earthy, you could go with earthy, textural pillows and solid linen curtains. I think the new floors are really pretty, and because they are so shiny, they bounce the light around. I don't mind the art on the floor, but perhaps a more permanent solution to hiding the AC unit is needed, perhaps a shallow cabinet with a lattice similar to radiator covers, with a panel that opens to use the controls. I adore the coffee table, and it's a great size and would work for casual dining.

Eh. I think the artwork above the sofa looks weird -- small framed photo next to big painting(?)

I would've liked to see the rest, like the kitchen area and the front door area.

I like the contrast of the coffee table with the light soft sofa.

i like the big art, the west elm curtains, and the new coffee table. it's a nice space! but i don't care for the lilac colors - i would have chosen something else but keeping pretty much everything else the same. good work!

I agree with 1001petals re: the artwork. It looks completely random.

Also, the pictures leaning up against the a/c are unforgivable in a supposedly finished renovation. They look messy and would drive me nuts.

I don't know why they didn't show the kitchen - it looks way better than the bed nook.

Gray, silver and pale purple might be what feels like the Golden Girls. That art above the sofa feels a bit 80s

I like the new lighting, the couch, lucite and the kitchen is beautiful (way better than the old tile). The abundance of pillows throws me off.

Also, is that a tv above the bed?

Just went to the site and saw more pics. The kitchen is very beautiful. It is hard for me to believe that the same person who designed the kitchen did the rest of this space too. Such different levels of aesthetic and sophistication.

It doesn't look like there's a unit there at all. The art looks right up against the wall. Maybe the unit is elsewhere now?

To me, the windows and the view are the biggest improvement. In the Before, the windows look dirty or perhaps it was a very hazy day. The After has a clear beautiful day with a lovely view of the city. Plus the new window treatment allows for a larger viewing area.

I can't believe how many negative comments there are here. This place looks lovely, comfortable, soothing and inviting. If I lived here, I might chuck a few of the bed pillows, but I'd be proud to call this place home.

First of all, I think a lot of commenters need to get over the "feminine/masculine" thing. I am female and like a lot of things often labeled "masculine" -- dark wood carvings, crisp detail, square edges -- and I totally detest pink, ruffles, lace, and Hello Kitty! ;^) I know plenty of mellow men who like icy colors, bright spaces, and other elements of the room shown here. It's decor. You like what you like. Stereotyping sucks!

I think that coffee table is an exceptional (and masculine!) example of that VINTAGE style. The table base is much more interesting than most "rustic" wood slab tables I have seen. I think it makes a great counterpoint to the pale colors which, themselves, expand the space. Also, it has a vaguely Asian vibe, the zen of wood sort of thing... Think of it as functional sculpture.

The low sofa also expands the room, and offers the chance to sit on the back if hanging around, but I personally don't find those low backs comfortable to lounge on. So from a utilitarian standpoint, that's a miss for me. (Nice to look at, not as functional as I would want.)

I agree there are a few too many pillows on the bed, but it's kind of irresistable to add texture and color and coziness with them, even if they do wind up on the floor. The bed curtains appear to be the same as the livingroom window curtains -- a pleasant semi-transparent option that would maintain the brightness of the room while adding some visual texture. I think the burnout pattern of branches is pretty neutral (and again, vaguely Asian) but I suppose if not to your taste you could go for stripes or something.

As an artist, I am not fond of the art on the floor hiding the AC unit, assuming that's what's going on. (In my house, they'd get kicked a lot, and you can't see the one behind...) So I'd find another option -- Maybe a low folding screen or even a fireplace screen (a few of those could be decorative on their own and not look too fire-placey, especially if repainted a lighter color).

And I really disagree witht he "granny" appelation -- since this blog serves a wide range of ages, what does that mean anyhow? MY grandmothers died in the 1970's and their homes were a FAR cry from this. And while I could BE a granny, I'm also fairly well attuned to the age in which I live and actually buy NEW things periodically, as well as paying attention to decor and design trends. Kind of tired of being insulted by implication!

That coffee table is horrible.

Wow, I think this space is really fresh and lovely....does that confirm my membership in the "Granny" demographic? :)

I really believe I could be very, very happy here, even if I were considerably younger.

Did you say an Interior Designer did this remake? If so, what happened to scale & proportion, layering for the sake of hiding, I could go on & on about what is wrong with this remake. It is this kind of hired an "Interior Designer" that gives the skilled, trained, experienced designers, a hard time getting work today. I suspect this gentleman hired a friend who he thought could pull together his studio.The best aspect of what she did, was give him a "bedroom".

This is absolutely a major improvement no matter what the style choices are. I'm thrown off just a little bit by the way the lavender accents and choice of flowers on the table, mixed with the lucite bar stools and dark woods. I like each item separately, but would make some changes so everything mixes better together. I think this mix is what is reading as "granny-looking" to some people.

hi. this is Jarret, the designer. thought i would respond to a few comments since I find that to be the fun part. and i'm not an internet troll. lol.

1. this was a full gut renovation. that's why it was considered quick. kitchen ripped out, bath ripped out, bed niche created, custom kitchen cabinetry to maximize space, etc. interesting you didn't catch it.
2. coffee table isn't everyone's taste. lol. i hear you. it was only there for staging. he actually got another table later that went up and down that was used as a dining table as i originally wanted. but this was my fantasy table so i threw it in.
3. a/c. umm, we hid it. true. but if that's the only fix you see there, sorry that you're not enjoying more of the changes.
4. re: masculine v. feminine, there are archetypes, but this client is secure enough in his masculinity not to be insecure about stuff like that. also, if you've been to Bali or lived in Asia (as i have and as the client has), you would find that this fits squarely within their design archetypes for color and pattern there. but come on.
5. i am a real interior designer. my clients run or ran major design magazines or work there (W, Details, Elle Decor, New York Tines home section). i'm sorry you don't like the space, but there we go. if you want to share your portfolio for critique, please do. : ) my clients like my taste. i greatly respect the work they do. i am grateful to be working and never take my job for granted.
6. floors could NOT be saved. i hate new flooring, but it was inevitable. the flooring had been sanded down to the nails. it was actually dangerous to leave the existing flooring. very sad. : (
7. Granny looking? wow, your grandma is super chic. please introduce me asap. : )
8. art above sofa by an artist recently featured in the Guggenheim.
9. i get that not everybody likes the color scheme and that beige is a preferred scheme, but i wanted something other than beige. and he was super happy in the end. yay!
10. space was ridiculously tight. you couldn't fit in a dining table there without the entire apartment feeling claustrophobic. it was a sacrifice and not one i would typically make but in nyc, you almost always are making a major compromise.

thanks for everyone's comments. just goes to show how photos don't tell a whole story. also goes to show that even when you do what you feel is some of your best work, that you can't please everyone and just have to send a little prayer for happiness and peace to you and them and still aim for happiness, right? : ) thanks again.

best,

Jarret

He didn't lose the A/C. It's covered by the art

I think the redo is absolutely perfect. It's pleasing to look at and appears very practical. I say that Jarret "nailed it"! It's 100% improved.
The tree stump coffee table adds a lot of character and interest but I can understand the change that was made later to one that could double as a dining table.

Absolutely beautiful design, I'd live there happily in a heartbeat :)

Hi Jarret,
That was really nice of you to post some comments. I am really surprised that a male client inhabits this apartment, I definitely flagged the digs as feminine (but definitely not in a negative way - just somethig that comes to your mind [based on photos] without consciously thinking about it - I guess it was the satin-y pillow on the sofa and the mauvish tones; but hey, live and learn, right?
And by the way, I love your sense of humour. ;-)

I liked the "before" tables and rug MUCH better than the "after", but do like the white sofas better than the dark one. And I agree with the posters, above, who sensed this was a feminine looking space.

Count me among those who don’t care for the renovation, but if the client is happy, that’s what counts. And Jarret’s post in response to some pretty vituperative criticism is gracious. But there are at least three things I would’ve done very differently. First, too many curtains. The fact that there are draperies both at the window and screening off the bed is a major reason the place gives off a “feminine” vibe. And unless that A/C has been relocated (an expensive change), you can’t close the drapes in summer, not without blocking the air flow. What about some nice tailored blinds instead? Second, impractical coffee table (and not just for aesthetic reasons). In a small place like this, storage is precious. Instead of that coffee table I would’ve used a wicker or leather trunk for textural interest plus storage. (Though I understand the client eventually chose an adjustable-height table.) Third, wrong “art.” Instead of that big but monochromatic floral work above the sofa I would’ve hung a fabulous mirror. One that’s interesting in itself and that would bounce the light and the views around. Just my two cents worth. But I wish the client many happy evenings at home enjoying that fabulous view.

it's as though the original owner moved out :)

lovely redo !!

I'm surprised by some of these comments. I think the after is very nice. I'm surprised a man lives here. It seems a little too girly with all the light colors and pillows. But it succeeded in making the whole room updated. And it looks way more "grown up". The before looks like college apartment living. Overall great job!

Oh charmgirl, you may call your self charming but your comments sure aren't.

Great work Jarret, especially like the wall mounted workspace and the contrast of the rich woodsy "masculine" kitchen with the softer cooler colours of the "femme" living area. Your gracious response to some plain nasty and ignorant comments is even more impressive. My hat is off to you - well done!

@ jarret yoshida

I'm so glad you replied. Not because I disagreed with your choices, just because I think some of these picky commenters needed to be addressed. Why does it have to be something we would choose for ourselves before it becomes acceptable design? Also, I'm thrilled to know there are people who don't subscribe to timeworn and narrow definitions of what males and females might like. Jarret, whether I approve of every one of your choices or not (and I do love many of them), you succeeded in making the apartment look brighter, more spacious, more current, and more practical. Great job!

Much better!

Wow, what a difference! Love this transformation!

The decor puts me off a bit (it's too delicate) but everything else is amazing. I checked out the original post on thesweeten blog and was impressed by what they did to the kitchen.

3 months to decorate, not renovate a studio apartment and you end up with a style of 50 year lady from Boca? Very Hong Kong "mansion" style. I would want my money back from the designers.

Does anyone else feel like "I'm not a designer but I could do this cheaper, quicker and better." ?

I hate this because it is so obviously something a designer did, soup to nuts. The art leaning against the wall is just awful. It looks cool in the picture, but it's a dreadful choice to LIVE WITH. Aesthetically, I don't like a lot of the choices, but that's not my beef with this: people have different tastes. But all those pillows and the designer "touches" just scream "I don't live here. A designer did this." Two family members of mine have lived temporarily in high-end company housing that was furnished for them: has this feel. It's kind of the opposite of the usual AT feel. I love the spaces that are personal, even when I don't particularly love some elements (like color choices, or furniture choices).

it needs a floor plan in the post. good ideas in the items that cost, like dangerous nails in the floors & replacing the tiled counter w/easy-clean surfaces, also not erecting a wall for the sleep nook (which would be illegal) & putting storage in the bed. the sofas are too low & too wide, which are a popular buy but use too much space in a studio. scale matters. an oriental rug to define the conversation area & give a pop of colour would offset the 'golden girls' comments.

beautiful. except for that painting.
what does the kitchen look like?

@Fatcatpaulanne, Definitely.

I like the coffee table.

I just love AT comments (really!) Fatcatpaulanne and cmcinnyc, I'm with you guys.

@jarret yoshida:

The coffee table is gorgeous! I love traditional Asian tree root furniture but this piece has a very Nakashima vibe...it definitely makes a statement.

I think its All frigin awesome. What a difference.

thanks again for the nice comments. cannot believe people are still commenting. just some feedback:
1. curtains were intended only to flank windows. we were supposed to get blinds but client decided he didn't want them. yes, they would block the ac. programmatic change.
2. art was on the floor to block the radiator since it is HIDEOUS. we didn't want a cabinet so we did that instead for the shoot. i agree, art on the floor is not ideal. however, some clients genuinely have too much art to put all up on the wall and we have had to do that. it is a last resort. i take art seriously and constantly go to museums and curatorial walkthroughs (over 20 in two weeks while in Florence and Paris this summer).
3. we have a ton of pillows there because the sofa is very deep. it is intended to serve almost as a twin size mattress. without the pillows, the sofa would be uncomfortable. it is a trade off. i usually don't have that much. although what is up with the hating on pillows? hahah.
4. i realize that the whole apartment with personal items isn't shown. there are other vignettes showing the client's personal items not shown. those photos, interestingly, are more 'masculine' (computers, av, leather travel bags, wood shelves) and I can see now why the apartment looks more 'feminine' although I still find some of the strong reactions on this site re: gender assignments to color and texture and material culturally disturbing.

long story short: there are very good functional reasons behind why many decisions are made. photo shoots only tell part of the story. maybe apartment therapy can have a live chat where you guys can grill the designer. trust me, we've already been grilled by the client so answering questions here is a cakewalk. I hope my addressing some of these comments in a positive fashion helps people understand how we arrived at where we did with the space. analyzing spaces constantly has made me, hopefully, a better designer so hopefully these responses will make everyone here be able to think about their spaces better as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

I actually love the redo. I dislike the "it's not masculine/feminine" critique. I don't think of this room as feminine but rather as serene and relaxing. Jarret took a space that was cramped and rather drab, and transformed it to a spacious and calming retreat.

I must admit to loving cushions and pillows. Sometimes I have them in heaps and multiples. Sometimes I have only a few. I like that they can very easily transform the look and feel of a room. Also, as someone who is almost overwhelmed by large pieces of furniture, cushions and pillow allow me to sit in larger pieces without having my legs sticking straight out like a child.

i think that's there to camoflage the hideous air conditioning unit. not a bad plan, but would still suck to clean around/knock over

Hi, Jarret,
Great redo. I'd like to see where else you see the coffee table, just for fun.

Also, is there a link to the new coffee table that goes up/down so we can see? Very clever.

I got the Bali/Island influence! Woo hoo go me! A lovely transport from in NYC!. ;-)

thank god you weren't renovating for this hard-to-please critics.

i could sit on that couch or sleep in that bed all day. beautiful colors.

I liked the old look AND I like the new look. It would have been nice to have a photo of the other side of the space. I like the texture the "granny" lace curtains add. Lace curtains are one enduring decorating items that can always add a touch of elegance to an otherwise angular arrangement. Well done.

I'm astounded by the sexist comments on this post. Just because something has masculine or feminine elements to it, does not mean one sex would or would not prefer it over the other. It is only the US stereotypical mindset which creates this unnatural divide. Space should reflect the mood/tone it wishes to create.

I love the addition of the cherry blossom curtains to bring a little 'Japan' to his other home. I agree with others about the pillows though - especially in a small space - that many pillows is not only annoying in terms of having to shift them around at night but could also create a trip hazard when tossed on the floor at night.